The Ribbon Cutting

Spoilers for volume six ahead!

!Then Hawkes was handed the ceremonial shears. He tried to give them back. He was refused. Hawkes said something (cutting, I would hope) and tried to walk away, but Mr. Lacey grabbed his arm. My mouth dropped open. Manhandling Hawkes! Has it ever been done? And if so, is anyone alive to tell the tale? ... Hawkes lifted a hand to his face, gave his head a half shake, then looked right at me. His blue eyes reluctantly asking my blessing. Drawing my mouth to the side, I lifted my hands in a So Be It manner. Hawkes, lifting his hand to his heart, bowed his head in a most courtly manner. Then the ceremony began. - January 26th!<

!Does this not directly mirror Emma's interactions with Oberon on January 5th?!<

!People parted for [Oberon] with a bow—and he, with his exaggerated courtly gestures, removed his crown and offered it to a figure standing nearby... He tilted his head to the side, considering me in return. My heart stumbled. He offered me the crown. As I took it from his hand, there was a collective gasp. With all the pageantry I could muster, I crowned him the king he was trying not to be. He stared at me a moment, dipped his chin—Resignation? Acceptance?— and gave me a courtly bow before stepping away, walking the length of the room, and returning to his throne. The dancing resumed. - January 5th!<

!I understand (and embrace!) that Beth Brower has left a lot open ended, and I've really enjoyed reading all the different discussions about possibilities. It's making rereads of these books especially delicious. But these specific parallels feel really blatant to me, especially with the red herring Emma "seeing Hawkes disappear" on January 5th. Would love to know other people's thoughts about this!!<