I dislike this man so much. Like, don't forgive him easily Erna. Make him beg on his knees and let him apologize for everything he has done wrong to you. "Dislike" is an understatement, "HATE" is more befitting. I dislike how he boast his pride saying, "She'll return where she belongs" BCH! Ur disregarding her feelings for real. "Date me, and I'll love you" MFKR. Don't commend his "attempt" on trying to get her back people! After all of those chapters. Sure, I get he's worried, or he holds feelings to her. BUT SURE AS DAMN HE NEGLECTED HER FFS! He's cold hearted, indifferent, and doesn't even try to empathize or sympathize with his WIFE. Goodness gracious. There is more to this but I'll keep this short. This man doesn't deserve her. After playing with her feelings. After she knew he "won her" by winning the bet, he just causally says, "So what?" BCH! UGH. I HATE THIS MAN. PERIOD!
Idk why, but the pacing was too quick after around chapter 80 and all. Like, I still didn't understand about the reason behind astair's mother only wanting to get to know empress hilette. Liek... What's the background or the meaning behind the spirits controlling astair. And the pacing towards their relationship with kyla was too quick. And didn't ritaus develop some sort of feelings towards kyla around the first half? Like, it didn't really give context afterwards.
To summarize, some parts just didn't leave enough context to be understood clearly. I think the ending was rushed too... So erm... Like a little backstory with lady lydianna wouldve sufficed. And the story of the spirit kingdom why they were executed and all would've make sense if there was context about it. It was a good read, for the first half, but as the story progresses, it felt too rushed atp.