> I exclude harems from my search results
> I pick a random manga to read
> Second page of the first chapter: talks about getting a harem
> I stop reading the manga
This might actually be peak like yeah the premise itself isn't anything new but the characterization is REALLY good.
Honestly, the Roam family isn't irredeemable.
BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING, I DIDN'T SAY THAT THEY SHOULD BE FORGIVEN. I'M JUST SAYING THEY'RE NOT PURE EVIL.
Lilia was churning out "prophesies" (read: novel spoilers) that were all coming true and predicted that Annelie would bring the downfall of their family.
Between the terminally ill daughter who was "prophesied" to bring the family to ruin, and the "prophet" who was ready to fill in her shoes, it was obvious which choice was the "correct" one.
The family has shown regret, snippet below.
---
"The prophecy said that Annelie would bring ruin to our family. But that hasn't happened."
"Because we put her on the execution block first."
Duke Roam's lips trembled.
If they had all been deceived by a false prophecy... The thought alone was terrifying.
"Before she could destroy the house of Roam... we killed her first. And now there's no way to verify that prophecy."
---
The family seems to think that Annelie would be safer with them than with the temple or the palace (MAYBE true) and that Annelie would understand their decision if they explained themselves.
Right now their mindset is "no use regretting or lamenting (they're still kinda doing this btw), just look ahead make the best decision for the future"
Incredibly rare critical thinking W
Lmao no, that's irredeemably. They are selfish and evil
I don't think that makes them redeemable if anything that makes them even more irredeemable, especially with how fl's whole "humans suck" mentality is because of them and that way of thinking
Babes I don't think you read when I said that I meant they aren't PURE EVIL
I'm sorry I guess I didn't phrase is right. That ABSOLUTELY makes them IRREDEEMABLY PURE EVIL. It's definitely in my definition of pure evil. With what we have seen so far in the manhwa and what u gave us, the Roam dont give a rat ass about her safety. That's not why they "regret it". They only regret choosing the wrong one. The Roam can't get anymore glory with Lilia so now they need Annelie back. To continue the family glory. Not cuz they care about her at all
Nah you're making this conclusion based on "what we've seen so far in the manhwa" (incomplete information) and "what I gave you" (also incomplete information). I literally gave like less than 100 words from the novel itself.
Maybe you're right that the Roam family is only regreting because they "chose the wrong one" and they want the glory that Annelie's status can give them. But we don't know that for sure yet. The novel isn't fully translated, and I've barely seen what the Duke and Duchess are actually thinking.
I HAVE seen what Annelie's older(?) sister is thinking though, and the two have confronted each other (it ended badly btw.) Her, I could see being redeemable (aka grow into a better person), if she reflects on the confrontation later.
I'll change my opinion on the Roam family based on new information presented to me. Again, I'm not saying they should be forgiven (they literally put Annelie to death over a prophecy) but as of right now I still don't think they're pure evil.
Like I get it bc in that era reputation is everything but still you'll think about all the hours and yrs put into their daughter to train her into being the empress only to unalive her & replace her with the one who told them their daughter will ruin them....anyone educated should've seen that as a self-fulfilling prophecy. They should've stood by their daughter, since she was gonna die anyways and be seen as an amazing family bc reputation is important instead of replacing their daughter with a fraud. I haven't read the novel or spoilers but I believe the blonde knows the story thats why she was able to correctly predict the future. Now that the storyline is going in a different direction with the daughter being revived (and shes probably the og fl for all we know) the blonde wont be able to con her way back in.
Some of these interactions read to me as lowkey sexist lol
First is barring Milly from being the heir because she's a woman (which I partially understand because she wouldn't be able to protect the territory if she gets pregnant which is the duty of the lord)
Second is the mom barring Milly from using the magic sword because "her face could get scarred" like the territory is literally full of people who can fight like who fucking cares if she gets scarred!!! If her face getting scarred somehow "ruins" her then the people who think that are stupid!!! (I get that this could also just be the mom not wanting her daughter to get seriously injured but why bring up her face specifically???)
It just feels like the story is trying to be progressive while also catering to conservatives which is not cute
I think it's because they want to keep a "historical" aspect but imo if they already went that far to make the story progressive, might as well go all the way because as of right now it's weirdly in the middle
Ong tho, like I can understand people outside the barony being sexist but for her own FAMILY to be sexist is crazy
Like ah yes, you can fight, you can hunt, you can be strong, but god forbid you get your face hurt or become the family head or use the family magic sword that can only be wielded by children of the forest (regardless of gender)!!!
Especially because it's her family's culture. They could have twisted this as "trying to conform to the empire's rules for women but ultimately backing out" and it would've made it gain depth but this evolution is just weird
Yeah, and I also found it weird and annoying with the ML either wanting her not to fight or to fight with her despite, so far not showing any martial ability. Like bro, she's literally been doing this her whole life, it is her duty to her people and she one of the few with the ability to use the magic sword.
You know damn well, that if the 2 main characters gender swapped, but everything was the same. The Prince wouldn't be so against her fighting.
I just fucking hate it when we get a strong/muscle head FL, but when it comes to her actually fighting and being badass, it feels like everyone else in the story feels like they need to protect her. Despite the fight or whatever being in her wheelhouse. It weirdly feels like they're infantalizing her when they do that. If the FL's characterization is to be a muscle-head and masterful at fighting and not adept being a tactician or anythinglike that, LET HER FIGHT.
ESPECIALLY when he fell in love with her BECAUSE SHE CAN FIGHT.
Yk this feels like thoses guys that date a baddie they met at the club then act all shocked when she WANTS TO GO TO THE CLUB!
Like let her fightttttt you are the lucky dude in the equation know your place and let girly swing sword and beat ass
I like the horror aspect but I don't really like the protagonist's personality
Same seriously...
Right like she:
1. Arbitrarily decides that the original must have been a terrible person because people are afraid of her even though they LITERALLY WATCHED HER RISE FROM HER COFFIN LIKE NO SHIT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF HER I genuinely started to dislike her when she went "you should have lived a better life" like please grow a brain
2. Just decides to use a magic circle without even knowing what it does like HUH????
Not only is she stupid, she's delusional. This is literally the kind of personality I'd expect from a villainess story's heroine antagonist.
Omg yes, I feel like it doesn't make sense.
This one was completed YEARS ago
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/the_pet_of_the_villainess/
(Spoilers to follow, read if u wanna check the relationship between the protag and villainess)
Yes, the endgame romance for the protag is het.
HOWEVER, I remember it being heavily implied (if not outright stated) that the villainess ong would have romantically pursued the protagonist had the circumstances allowed for it. That's pr much why I've had this story specifically on the brain for a while.
No, I would NOT call this doomed yuri. I feel that term implies that both participants love each other ROMANTICALLY but their love could never come to fruition. It's pr much an unrequited romance at most.
Yes I think they would have been a cute couple, they have a lot of lovely moments together, but pls istg do NOT read this story just wanting to see the yuri and then complain that the protag and villainess don't get together. If you're only here for yuri, look elsewhere.
A big part of the story is MOVING THE FUCK ON AND ACCEPTING THAT EVEN IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE WITH ALL YOUR HEART, THEIR HAPPINESS CAN LIE ELSEWHERE. THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU LOVE SOMEONE DOES NOT MEAN THEY'RE OBLIGATED TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER.
No, the villainess does NOT end up with a man by the end of the story. In fact, I'm pr sure she stays single even after the epilogue.
Bruh the fact that Iruma and Ameri have the same origin here broooooooo I'm gonna fucking lose it ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
I feel like I'm going crazy like that's old man yaoi right I'm not the only one who saw the domesticity between those two
great minds think alike
Honestlyyy, the characterization is a LOT more nuanced than you'd think. I ended up really liking Lily and their dad (the mom not as much).
And yes, you read that right. LILY, the one who stole Marie's blessing, and THEIR DAD, the one who got pissed off that he wasn't going to be the father of a saintess. I ended up liking them MORE than the mom.
I LOVE me some complex character arcs.