The story is overall good and makes for a good read. Although I'm all for the leads' relationship and I do like the characters, I don't find myself cheering or heart thumping for the scenes that would usually warrant them. I can only remember one particular scene where it did pull at my heartstrings but other than that, I'm not quite emotionally invested. The whole last season was rushed and I'm sure the author was trying to tie loose ends but I'm finding myself confused and wondering how the characters got to where they were. Also, not a fan of the frequent flashbacks. I feel it takes away from the build-up of the plot, makes the overall story feeling anti-climatic.

First of all, the art is gorgeous! The story is slow paced but since the plot and world building were interesting, I didn't mind it. Unfortunately the ending (last 20+ chapters) was really rushed and felt more like a summary of main events. Still if you enjoy these type of slow paced, but interesting stories...you should give it a chance 🙂

Beautiful art, getting better chapter after chapter. Interesting story, albeit a bit slow. I loved the FL and the interaction with ML. I suggest to not binge read it, but reading it in small doses, as it tends to drag a bit. Sadly the ending is extremely rushed and the last 20 chapters are quite messy because of that, but I still think it was a very enjoyable read.

The art is amazing, but not dynamic. The romance is fine, but God the plot just drags so much.

I would compare this manga to Akatsuki no Yona - this one is more politics and less fantasy shoujo.

In terms of one befitting the role of emperor, the main character honestly, realistically, fits. The story is grand and the pace is slow, but developments continue to happen without end and none of it is frivolous. The politics in this are first and center and nuanced, though not difficult to follow. The main characters are all ones who take their roles and responsibilities entirely seriously, and will make sacrifices as they judge fit. The side characters each have their own agendas that they contribute to the plot.

The art for this story is done well.

The romance is a refreshing scenario not often seen in this genre. It’s attraction at first sight. The male lead falls hard and quickly and the female lead accepts this quite readily. While I was bummed at there not being more of a build-up at the beginning, I realized later that the build-up is in watching how such a relationship would actually succeed. It’s believable that the male lead would fall so quickly - his family believes in tradition, and the female lead is innocent to the point of naïveté, with no ulterior motives and a strong sense of justice. As a successor of the emperor she matches him in confidence and in how she conducts herself. To believe the female lead is immediately attracted to a mysterious, confident man who is the only one to treat her differently and open her eyes to the actual world at large isn’t a stretch, either. But how would the two in their positions actually have a mutual love, or any chance of their relationship being more than a random fling? Honestly given the circumstances, especially the FL as a person who doesn’t know her own emotions, has no worldly knowledge or understanding to begin with, and given how untouchable she is as the most royal person after the current emperor, it seems absolutely impossible that she’d even fall in love, never mind end up with the male lead. Throw in the male lead’s own responsibilities, his own role and personal agenda, and how he’s on her rival’s (step-brother and only other successor) side, and it really does seem quite impossible.

And yet the author makes it happen in a plausible sense. And both leads are so mature in thinking that their differing political loyalties don’t touch their personal relationship. And while they “get together” right away, it’s only after a hundred chapters or so that they have something more established and mutual, and even then it’s only the start of a “real” relationship.

The storytelling is woven in via dreams, and the timing for when they happen as the story progresses feels natural. This lends a cool foretold epic prophecy feeling to the story. These dreams, along with the ML, are what propel the FL to grow and she does grow quite a bit. It’s subtly shown as she begins to experience more and more emotion, and as she grows from a naive person to a person capable of actually ruling.

This all being said, I do have some complaints. The female lead hasn’t experienced personal punishment or harm at all. There is a particular punishment that befalls one of the most important people to her that certainly hurts her, but nothing befalls her own physical person. Maybe this is sort of realism as she is tied as the second most powerful person in the empire, but still. Also, it’s been established that it’s simply part of her character, but how she picks up on stuff so quickly is a bit OP. While I do understand, boy was it still low-key annoying to watch her be so naive and ignorant, even as she was growing out of it. While realistic, that the male lead was devoted and always pursued the female lead while she could not reciprocate in the same manner, for those hundred chapters and honestly even past that, made me almost pity the male lead and upset at the female lead. Sure it makes sense, and yes the male lead understands too, but ugh imagine holding out forever for the emperor-to-be to like you back. Lastly, along the theme of everything working out for the FL and the ML being worshipping her… it’s all because of the dreams she has. Were it not for those, she would’ve remained ignorant. It’s one of those things where she might not be at fault as her mother completely manipulated her, but her constant “genius” really isn’t her own even as she is painted as this absolutely amazing person.

That does bring me back to the title of my review, though. Sure I have my complaints, but nonetheless the story is nothing short of amazing. I can’t believe I hadn’t come across this until now.

The storyline and art is top notch but then romance came out of blue. Both leads suddenly attracted to each other. May accept for female lead, not for male lead. He was described as someone who went through rough in life so expected something more before he really head over heel for female lead.

Dropped ch.32
The world is interesting, but only the main couple of characters are explored. I somewhat enjoyed the FL, but the ML was too Gary Stu.
I don't know if it gets better, but the plot progressed very slow. The only thing that progressed quick was the main couple, who started loving each other out of nowhere at like their third meeting. Felt unearned.

... Last updated on May 7th, 2021, 3:55pm

I liked almost everything about this manhwa, but the biggest problem I had with it was the romance. Let me explain.

The manhwa first introduces the FL as a very naive and ignorant Princess. She doesn't know a single thing about how the real world works, yet she believes she's the future Emperor. The nerve. She quickly redeems herself, though. She recognizes her own shortcomings and strives to be a ruler worthy of all her subjects. Good for her.

Next up, the ML. He's very resourceful, a bit of an overachiever, has a habit of showing up wherever the FL is, and is overall an ok guy.

Both of them are good and interesting characters in their own right. That said, why did the author have to rush the relationship between them? I swear they see each other like, three times, and they're already like "u da one 4 me." I'm like bish hold up✋there's barely any chemistry between you two why are we already moving to the next step??

It was weird and made absolutely zero sense to me. Why the unnecessary rush, author?

What's worse is that the romance takes the front seat most of the time. Exhibit A:

I was this 🤏 close to dropping this manhwa simply because I could not stand the romance. Thank goodness the politics, mysteries, and art made up for it.

This is still an ongoing manhwa. Idk how the story will go from here, but tbh I'm not sure if I'll come back to this later.

I happened upon this one by pure chance.
Art 10/10 - Clean lines, manly yet beautiful male lead. Beautiful FL. Clean backgrounds. I could go on.
Story - 10/10 - Why? The romance is top notch. FL's personality is unique. She's nothing like other leads. She's flawed and VERY likeable. ML as well is lovable although a bit too in the stronkest/ hansomest/richest/smartest to say he is unique. But the important thing about this manhwa is that the non romance bits aren't tedious. It's fun relevant and adds to the FL's personality each time. Plus for the first time I'm liking all the side characters despite non of them being a second male lead. When I search for romance manhwa I expect this to be right next to the big names like Villainess turns the hourglass / Death is the only ending for a villainess. But I can see why it isn't, this isn't reincarnation/ time travel isekai! UGH i'm annoyed.

To convince you that this is indeed a good read, i have to say, I get bored of most romances as soon as main couple consolidate their relationship with kiss or whatever, because the stories very rarely have anything else to offer that would keep me reading. But this one? I am still hooked on it despite that happening! the story is that good.

... Last updated on July 26th, 2021, 5:52pm

A captivating female lead and decent male lead, the antagonist have proper motivations and the contestant to the throne is apparently a capable and decent person. So great in the characters department.
Storywise, it's politics and court intrigue done right and the author managed to find a way to give the MC knowledge she shouldn't have without resorting to the cliches (reincarnation, transmigration or time-reversal) nor giving her too much of it, her knowledge can be said to be cryptic at best and serves mostly for her to change her points of view and as a guide of whom to trust.
Main draw is the pace which is a tad slow, nothing terrible.
Oh, the art is amazing.
There isn't much to go on but it's quite promising. If you like roya/court intrigue and politics stories then this is one is a good option