While Kellan approached the curse from its edges, Rowan was drawn toward its center. Eriette understood that Rowan did not crave destruction for its own sake. She wanted the pain to stop, the arguments to end and the Realm to move together. Enchanted sleep could be presented as peace if nobody was awake to disagree.
That promise found Rowan after repeated conflict with Will. Each compromise looked like another invitation for enemies to regroup, while her growing magic produced immediate results. Eriette offered admiration where her brother offered restraint and framed control as compassion. The manipulation worked because it amplified beliefs Rowan already feared might be true.
Ashiok’s shadow lingered behind Eriette’s command of fear and desire. The larger design mattered less in the moment than the opening it exploited: Rowan had begun to measure love by obedience. Once that happened, using the curse against Will could feel like rescuing him from a weakness he refused to recognise.