The vast world Sarah J. Maas created in A Court of Thorns and Roses boasts a large cast of characters with complex political dynamics. As Maas is working on the next A Court of Thorns and Roses book, there are many theories as to who (aside from Elain) will play a critical role. While the books have done a great job of exploring the different courts and peoples so far, a few key characters and high-ranking roles have been somewhat forgotten. One frequently mentioned and currently unoccupied position is that of the High King or Queen of Prythian.
Rhysand or Feyre might be obvious choices for such a role, but there is one fan-favored A Court of Thorns and Roses character that stands out among the rest. While Maas has criminally overlooked Lucien's story in the books, his character arc is far from finished. Disregarding his small role in the last few novels, Lucien has proved himself to be an asset to both the human lands and the Fae courts, positioning him to become the next High King of Prythian.
Lucien Staying To Help Humans In ACOWAR Proves He Should Be High King Of The Fae
Lucien Chooses To Live In The Human Lands In The Later ACOTAR Books
Lucien's journey isn't over, and his choices throughout the series set him up as a compelling candidate for High King. As a Reddit thread points out, in A Court of Wings and Ruin, Lucien is the only character who chooses to stay behind in the human lands to heal those who were hurt in the battle with Hybern. Given Feyre's human background, it's surprising her character does not do the same, but we think this could be an intentional choice by Maas to give Lucien's character more weight in the human kingdom over others.
The author of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Sarah J. Maas, is renowned for her foreshadowing and has hinted why Lucien & Elain are mates.
Lucien also makes genuine connections with high-ranking humans in the mortal lands — Vassa, a cursed mortal queen, and Jurian, a human commander resurrected by the Cauldron. The trio's friendship — self-titled the "Band of Exiles" — grows significantly in the later novels, as Lucien prefers to spend time with them in the human lands. Now that the wall has fallen, we expect a need will arise for someone to bridge the gap between the Fae and the humans, and Lucien's character is primed to accept it.
Making Lucien High King Could Bridge The Gap Between Prythian & The Mortal Lands
Lucien Has Ties To Both The Human Lands & Multiple Fae Courts
Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore
Lucien is the only character in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series who has spent a significant amount of time in multiple courts outside his own, giving him a strong foothold in Fae politics, and who has spent enough time with the humans to gain their trust. Both the Fae and humans harbor a serious dislike of the other and, as the human lands will likely be welcomed into the fold of Prythian in the next book, the next High King will need to be someone both populations can trust.
Lucien is the only character in the
A Court of Thorns and Roses
series who has spent a significant amount of time in multiple courts outside his own, and who has spent enough time with the humans to gain their trust.
As the series has frequently demonstrated, the Fae and the humans do not easily get along. While they fight against the armies of Hybern side-by-side, the latter novels show that there is still a significant divide. Selecting Lucien as High King would help to bridge the gap between these peoples and ultimately make Prythian an even stronger adversary should any evil in Hybern rise again. If Maas is to reveal a High King in the next A Court of Thorns and Roses novel, Lucien would be the most logical choice.
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore 
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