This is not a clean-cut love story. Nor is it a story completely about divorce. It's about redemption. The ML was an asshole, and the FL's father wasn't the best, but they're working to be better. Rosa (FL) only knows one side of the story from her side with her Dad, while we watch things change afterwards.
Give the ML some time. He does deserve the animosity towards him, but he is actively trying to become better thanks to Rosa and her father. Especially because of the latest bunch of chapters (ch. 20 - 25), I'm starting to respect him more.
As for the father, he is my favorite character in the story. It's tragic and heartwrenching, but really good, I promise.
Overall, I like the direction the story's going. I'll repeat this: This is a redemption story. Don't go into this rooting for everyone's downfall, but hope they will do better. (I'm still rooting for Rosa to get a chance with her crush, though!)
I DESPISE STEP-SIBLING OR RELATIVE LOVE INTERESTS! THE FEM MC HAD THE MOST RELATABLE, AND HONESTLY CORRECT REPONSE TO LEARNING YOUR BROTHER SEES YOU AS A WOMAN AND NOT HIS SISTER OH MY GOD!!!!!
You have no idea how often I've read trashy shoujo that have the sibling as a romance option for the Fem Mc. I HATE IT! The fact that this is one of the few times I've seen the MC actively show fear/sadness/rage at her own brother for his feelings is so upsetting omg.
I don't care if they're pretty, I don't care if they're your type. Dating someone who is related to you in any way, shape, or form is disgusting. It's fine if you like the brother for yourself, you're not the sister, do as you like. But if you are actively shipping siblings/step-siblings together, you are gross. The past had to deal with that problem, and the modern day shouldn't. I can't stand seeing it portrayed in a positive or interesting light in any way, shape, or form. Step-sibling romance through marriage is gross; you're still siblings, end of sentence. It's so obvious to me that anyone who likes this trope has never had a sibling or is from Alabama.
Imagine growing up with someone all your life, spending your time around them 24/7. Through all the awkward phases, bickering, etc. It's not sunshine and rainbows; hell, sometimes you'll feel like choking them out. But overall, you have a bond that no one will have, one where you don't gotta put up a guard or mask because there's no point, they've seen all the ugly stuff already! And then you find out that your sibling likes you, not as family but as a real crush. Then what does that say for all the awkward moments? Those times you had to share a room? Those times you walked in on each other? Were they perving on you the entire time? Did you ever have true privacy in your own house? Were you ever truly safe in your own room???
I just can't stand it, as someone with multiple sliblings its a trope I truly despise with my whole being.
Sorry for the long rant, just felt I had to get this out sooner or later, and I'm here just celebrating the MC's disgust over this damn trope fr.
I've noticed for a while now that, since the topmost post, no one else has commented on what's going on with Ebony. Welp, to those who find this, shits going crazy on the political side! I'll be mentioning everything I can remember/significant and separate it between a couple of characters since a lot is going on at once. Hope you enjoy!
Ebony getting a body double for Raven was something I've been hoping for! Like seriously, the Nobles' gambling den can get reaalllyyyy crazy. Having someone to fill in for her and help cover her tracks makes fucking with her enemies hilarious!
From the latest chapter (ch.187 as of this comment), I genuinely didn't expect the Chief Justice, Daphne's father, the bastard with the most unique design out of all the characters, to offer to step down from his position if the Grand Duke helps the Crown Prince win over the Neutral Party. Is it that serious, I fear. (And ofc the Dukes that are serious about Ebony wtf made you think otherwise???????? Dumbass smh)
I loooooove seeing Reginald get fucked with. 1) Because fuck him ong. 2) Because characters like him, the ones who hide behind their smile, covering their tracks to near perfection, are sooooo fun to break. I am genuinely concerned about him and Daphne's relationship, though, in the sense that he might be starting to become more interested in her, which is bad. Very bad. Stay away, you disgusting, disgusting man. She already has to deal with a stalker of a guard officer, she doesn't need any other trouble frfr.
Why did I just realize my mistake? I MEANT DEFINITELY NOT DEFIANTLY!!!!!
Stuff happens, but the manga does a lot of talking about all the drama instead of showing it, except for the MC's involvement, which is always the beginning. They did nip any drama or trouble in the bud really quickly, like next chapter everything resolved, but after flipping through pages of panels where it's everyone sitting at a table and talking about it, you can guess how annoying it can become. It was fine at first, but I'd like to see the MC do stuff and see her use her magic once in a while outside of convenient magic usage.
Art style is really good, so it feels like a waste to put it with a story this boring. I really don't recommend reading it except for an art style study if it's to your fancy.
Overall 2.5/10 don't recommend
OH SHIT IS IT TIME??? IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING??!?! HOLY SHIT BUCKLE IN EVERYONE IT MIGHT BE TIME!!!!!
I think my favorite part so far was in ch 7 when Amanda was talking about her disappointment in the reality of working as a civil servant. She wanted to be the cool big sister for Adeline and worked her ass off for years to get the top grades, even becoming valedictorian of her year, and still got stuck in a job that doesn't satisfy her. I don't blame the ML for that, and I'm glad she was able to figure it out while improving her situation immensely, but to me, it's a nice glance into the reality of a hard-working student. Doesn't matter how high you scored on a test or what classes you took; your work ethic and abilities are the only thing that really counts in reality. There's more I can say, but I'll leave it here.
I think that is the first time Mitsuba ever apologized for something. And it was to one of her possibly true friends, whom she JUST BETRAYED.
At least there's some part of her that feels remorseful
Every chapter, I start to like Marsha and Douglas more everyday my god there chemistry (Them fucking balling laughter in that last chapter, peak)
Also, I was confused for a second why Marsha developed androphobia, but when you look back on it (Marsha being painted as the villainous for 10 years, almost being forced into an arranged marriage because of the king, almost being assaulted, the weird magic thing taking control of her body, EVERY INTERACTION WITH EX-FIANCE) the only good experience she's had with men is like a hand-full at best. But speaking as someone who has no phobia, would that be enough? Human minds are weird to the point that some people could get a panic attack from seeing a single balloon. Geniunely asking for others' thoughts on this!!
So, like Lady Priscilla is weird, right? She's absolutely desperate to get Marsha as her lady-in-waiting. At first, it just seemed to be a cover-up for her affair with Ex-fiance, but I'm starting to think it's more than that. Even when she accepted the divorce to happen, she still wants Marsha. From my pov, anyone with a brain can tell that if you're on Marsha's side, you're gonna win the long game as royalty. When Myra first arrived, she had nobody, but then Marsha joined her side, and now she's the Queen! Priscilla probably saw this and realized that if she got Marsha, she could be Queen herself. She's probably ordering Raul to act so (pathetically, annoyingly, stupidly) eccentric in the hopes that she can use Marsha to boost her status amongst the inner palace. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but it makes sense, right?
Rainiers is a good guy, honestly. As a friend, I think he's doing a good job of getting Marsha used to being treated like a woman (LIKE SHE SHOULD'VE BEEN, F U RAUL) for the possible dating scene, if or when she decides she's ready for it. And as a possible live interest, I need to see more, but from what I've seen, he's not a bad pick. Still like Douglas more tho ngl.
Marsha's biggest flaw is her Pride, and I love how it's written. If she didn't let her Pride win, she wouldn't have had to deal with the past 10 years of being written as a villainous. But it's also her pride (As a lady-in-waiting, a noble, and herself) that was able to best the odds time and time again. She didn't want to be used, so she used others as well. But now she's in a constant struggle of trying to get the upper hand time and time again until one day someone wins. And she can't blame anyone else for her current situation but herself. And I love it.
Thank you for reading!! ε=ε=(ノ≧∇≦)ノ
As someone who has some of it to a certain extent, yes. Not only did she have bad experiences with men, that in itself was a pattern save for a select few. For example, familial and platonic love feels ok for me, but my body physically recoils at even the prospect of them touching, getting close or even talking to me if in any other manner, even tho ofc I did have my fair share of good experiences with men too. She can keep level-headed overall while having that reaction when they get close, like it is not her mind, but her body screaming to get away, which is, from my pov, very believable. Plus, besides the historic, the recent events were mostly men being horrible to even being close to ppl who sexually assaulted a fellow woman who was with her. That was most likely what did it to fully cause her reaction.
Ughhh, such an empowering scene for women, really want to read more stories of women getting inspired by other women to follow their dreams!!