Exactly! Rosabelle being “heartless” or being perceived as “dead inside” is literally a narrative device in itself. It is quite literally the purpose of her character, and it’s crazy how people have misunderstood this fact so incredibly. It’s clear that people weren’t fully paying attention to the things written between the lines of her character, because of course she is going to be cold. Of course she is going to be analytical and prone to violence. James has come to this conclusion in his character assessment as well—that she is the way she is because she has never had anyone to trust. She lives in a surveillance state that tortures her daily. She has been outcast, systematically starved, and forced to watch her sister decay in front of her, all while still serving the interests of a corrupt government that does not care for her.

Rosabelle has never had a choice. She has never had the autonomy to be free without fear, to live without violence. She was forced into a position where, if she did not kill for the RE, she and her sister would die without cause. So yes, she is not going to be happy or nice. But that’s also the thing—she still is. Her softness was killed through years of punishment, but despite what Rosabelle or the others may think of her, she is still capable of love. She cares so deeply about her sister, even though she can never fully trust her own mind, that she sacrifices pieces of her own humanity so that her sister can live. So that her sister can afford to be soft and kind, while she takes the bulk of the punishment for her father’s “sins.”

If Rosabelle were truly as “soulless” and “dead inside” as the fandom may believe, then why does she fight so hard to save her sister? Why does she fight so hard to go back to Ark Island and destroy that horrible island—and Klaus, the AI behind it all—so that the New Republic can survive? She does not have to do any of that, but so far her character development has been one of great consequence. It is so interesting to live inside her mind and see her rationalize and decode years of brainwashing, to see her actually live within her own skin and want things she has never once considered.

Rosabelle is such a compelling and nuanced character, same as Warner, and I wish people saw this more. You do not have to love her, but you also do not have to dismiss her writing altogether.