Two likable characters with a nontoxic relationship although at first onesided with interesting personalities and lives and surroundings and the people who contributed to their cool and amazing selves being cool enough that people would be interested in spinoffs like Sharinas cook maid and Apollo. They are great by themselves yes but to showcase it all without a truly hateable and not easily defeated antagonist and villain the story would ended up as pure lore. This is an argument for: Leonard is truly hateable and thats a good thing. and the way he grows only when its too late but it still being a scene that shows its a valuable scene. Its not about redemption but to reward the readers that he finally listens finally learns. Yeah its terrible he wants to keep being a prince anyway but at least he gave up on her and thats a huge step. And he has been raised to be a crown prince since he was a baby so its not easy to give up on that. This manga is very very good. The novel too. The plot is fairly simple but also parodies and criticizes romance the way you cant follow romance stories with tons of drama as a dating guide. The way the prince is worshiped ever since he was a child and now hes spoiled rotten to the bone. And everyone is supposed to see through mean words and assume whatever they want to the point of doing that to a few honest people as well. Because you know to want someone else other than the one everyone loves to be someone who goes against the current an undertow. The japanese context is important too. A culture where rice farms created villages and if everyone hated you and you hated everyone you wouldnt have rice. So you learn to get along to when in public like the same things. To disagree is death. And Sharina disagrees since she was born. Maybe its a bad aro stereotype to find the right person but I say anyway that shes a good aro representation. Someone who grows up completely alienated all her friends are super into romance romance is the rice in her kingdom. The way to keep noble girls obedient and in their places hoping for a prince to swipe them off their feet. Sharina doesnt understand such a thing at all until she does in her own way. If I had to describe shipping it would be a reclamation of what people call a relationship in both society and fiction. Maybe you dont understand the way people think some stuff is good and others are bad maybe you like yandere in fiction but understands its very unsafe or something you couldnt handle in real life maybe you like cocky and cool guys with tons of power over other people on romance stories and that doesnt mean you are a bad person until you forcefully push that on people and make it the only portrait of romance possible all stories being about the very same mean guy and girls whose no is meaningless because his status is what matters but you also cant come across as too slutty by saying yes. Like Leonard himself. Like the Ariarose family. Like the Rose Garden. When you talk and talk and doesnt listen at all when the other side protests or make sure that its a desired behavior. Sharina is very very smart. You get to see it better on the novel the way she plans ahead and comes across as cuckoo until you read and realizes yes shes planning pretty well and is very clever. She just never cared about romance before so maybe shes coming across too strong and silly but her plans are well thought and would be great for escape if Riols fail sometime he wouldnt let it fail thats why he makes such good plans but he knows she will back him up and he will not risk her being possibly kept away from him anyway And honestly its a hassle for her that her and Riols story isnt a slice of life. Many readers when faced with the antagonists think the same. But how would you know how smart Sharina is if she wasnt put in the spot to fight and make plans against those who want to break her relationship for one reason or another? She would only be able to cook for her beloved and hold hands and their relationship is truly wholesome but she wouldnt ever be able to shine like she does. You cant ask for smart and cool female characters and not let them show it. Thats why I like Leonards presence in the story. Hes truly hateable a creep a thief a piece of shit irresponsible and spoiled annoying unable to perceive himself as not everyones first second and third choice taking dangerous risks just to get his way doesnt listen to anybody not understanding at all. Like a reader said in another genre he would probably be a rapist towards Sharina. Lets just be glad its not this genre. How would Sharina and Riol fight back such an enemy who also isnt going to back down until hes throughly defeated? That takes up both guts and brains. There were moments through the story that I legit thought: This story looks alive. The amount of planning the way each character had to think and make up plans from Sharinas best friend Angie when checking what happens in the party and giving us the chance to see too to the princes brother in law trying to make Sharina stop getting with the prince because of his own biases and failing to the way Riol plans that are so risky but works out because he has to or the practical planning of Sharina herself. They are their own selves and thought lines and they feel alive. This story is a good deconstruction of the typical fantasy because the characters are allowed to be more than two dimensional. They are not their roles despite it being clearer on the novel. And Leonard works strongly as they cant fight back by just using brawls but they cannot run away from the battle either. They gotta show their skills and while Sharina is seen as a doll with an unworthy owner Riol as the unworthy owner gotta prove himself to each villain. We know how hard it hurts to make Sharina just accept that treatment and not be able to fight back as someone who is good at magic and can fight back usually what can be a good example of when your boss hits on you and women and worker rights is not much a thing although desired by some check out women and workers rights on Japan lol. For a more comprehensive less annoying prince that would back down easily however? Most readers would feel second male lead syndrome. The thing where they sympathize and go: but Riol is cold and doesnt show and speak out his affection properly also he doesnt have a good position and makes her doubt his love isnt often reassuring isnt even that handsome cant use magic less troublesome etc. Sharina should have chosen the prince Theres a reason we dont say that as readers of this story and its thanks to Leonard. Thank the author that hes so terrible So we can properly appreciate Riol. The guy who helps out strangers despite being so shy and will work hard until he gets carpal tunnel to prevent the girl he loves from being forced into a relationship she cant bear and knows when to be selfish. Without all that drama and the stakes so high we cant see properly all sides of him. Nothing for Sharina to ask for encore. While I dont mind the usual lets be a cute lady dating a cool prince/duke this story is nice because sometimes getting a fill of the crusty eyebag emo poor baron is nice too. Only girls are allowed to be cinderella in those stories and I would like to see more unconventional male love interests too. Diversity not a whole market of pretty boys who are healthy at loving.