Welcome! Most everyone seems to have this covered, but allow me to offer my own opinion, which is just slightly different.
(1) I've always felt it was a mix of emotions: love, forgiveness, understanding, sadness for what she has become. What's she's had to become. She's not used to these in general, but certainly not from prisoners she's about to hack limbs off of. It's that same look that causes her to smack him in the courtroom earlier on in the book.
Maybe it's a short fic I'm writing or the romantic in me, but I think Gen still sees her as that innocent, lonely little girl he saw dancing under those orange trees so long ago. He still sees the innocent side of her she's tried so hard to bury, and he looks at her like that's still a part of who she is (which it is). He pieties her, which she hates.
(2) I agree with the above. Couldn't have said it better.
(3) Well, because she's jeeaallous. :D Another very complex scene there. Not only is she enraged about being tricked, she deeply jealous of Helen and all the support she has. I mean, think about... You've been jealous of this girl your whole life that seems to have everything that you've ever wanted, and all of a sudden, you find out her most loyal servant, who would die for her, is also her lover (male consort?). Irene thinks she only jealous of the fact that Helen can indulge herself like that while still remaining safe and sound upon her throne. Truth is, she's also jealous that Gen has such great affection for Helen, while she believes that he hates her. If you're Irene in this scene, it's an all around ouch factor.
Hope that helps. Feel free to visit more past discussions if you have more questions. We don't mind at all. And thank you for the compliment about the fan-fiction (some of its mine). I'm sure all the authors are thrilled that you enjoyed reading them.
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Date: 4/21/11 09:52 pm (UTC)(1) I've always felt it was a mix of emotions: love, forgiveness, understanding, sadness for what she has become. What's she's had to become. She's not used to these in general, but certainly not from prisoners she's about to hack limbs off of. It's that same look that causes her to smack him in the courtroom earlier on in the book.
Maybe it's a short fic I'm writing or the romantic in me, but I think Gen still sees her as that innocent, lonely little girl he saw dancing under those orange trees so long ago. He still sees the innocent side of her she's tried so hard to bury, and he looks at her like that's still a part of who she is (which it is). He pieties her, which she hates.
(2) I agree with the above. Couldn't have said it better.
(3) Well, because she's jeeaallous. :D Another very complex scene there. Not only is she enraged about being tricked, she deeply jealous of Helen and all the support she has. I mean, think about... You've been jealous of this girl your whole life that seems to have everything that you've ever wanted, and all of a sudden, you find out her most loyal servant, who would die for her, is also her lover (male consort?). Irene thinks she only jealous of the fact that Helen can indulge herself like that while still remaining safe and sound upon her throne. Truth is, she's also jealous that Gen has such great affection for Helen, while she believes that he hates her. If you're Irene in this scene, it's an all around ouch factor.
Hope that helps. Feel free to visit more past discussions if you have more questions. We don't mind at all. And thank you for the compliment about the fan-fiction (some of its mine). I'm sure all the authors are thrilled that you enjoyed reading them.