Wow, I truly cannot express how much I love this story. For those who want to read it, beware that this isn't a regular "love story" as per say. There are love interests of course but the plot is very little about the romance. It's a story about a tyrant empress who "come back to her senses" and fix her new founded empire post-war. There's stuff like nobility titles, taxes and corruption that are very relevant to the story.
The FL is very much aware of the romantic feelings that some characters have for her but for reasons she treats them as colleagues. If you're into the political side of ruling an empire, this one is for you. If you love the slowest of slow-burns, you get the idea. Each character is well develop and defined along with their personalities and motivations. Even if you're unable to understand their complexity at a first glance.
Also any hatred towards manager Lee is welcome. It may see odd but I ship Julia and Cyril.
From the group meeting to this dating rumor, it's pretty clear that all Yujin wants is attention. She wants clout. Her 15 minutes of fame. The moment people lost the interest in her after she denied the rumor, Yujin dug out dusty shit from Siwon's past, without his consent, just so she can keep being relevant.
...how everyone is saying shit about Winter. No, I'll not defend his ignorance towards his wife's situation since I still want to know why the fuck he stuck with his dad's family knowing he even though he's filthy rich the duke will never hand him the nobility title.
What I'm gonna say is even though I don't agree with but I can understand the reason of his mean behavior. If you pay attention to it, you'll notice that Winter's rude and a fucking ass to everyone not just Violet. The whole reason why he wasn't able to finish his deal with coffee dude from chapter 1 was his lack of manners and social skills.
He grew up as a slave, beaten up every day and nearly starving to death. He wasn't taught that he's supposed to be nice, give attention and share time with someone to show them he cares. He thinks that only material things, such as money and gifts, are valuable. That's why gets deeply upset when Violet refuses his offer of a material reward. Winter's a shithole on the way he speaks but he's always regretful of it afterwards.
Violet, on the other hand, deeply blames herself for her husband financial downfall and turned to not protest against the ill-intended actions of her in-laws. She wanted to have herself as something valuable to give to Winter after her brother's scam. But when her own husband didn't show any interest in her as a wife, there was no meaning for her life. Her mother and brothers only care about themselves and her in-laws keep harassing her for something that wasn't even her fault.
They both have an inferiority complex but the way they deal with it are completely different. Winter's crude behavior is his own self-defense mechanism to deal with it due to his lowly origins. Stuck in his own past and receiving prejudice for being a dirty foreigner because of his grey eyes and thought as stupid for falling for a millionaire scam. Violet has no self-esteem and doubts that anyone would genuinely care for her. Keeps being harassed by other's mistakes is thought as a joke by her own subordinates. Till the moment she decides to take her own life.
Both characters have something to learn and grow from. Winter need to learn how to treat people and let go of his own past and Violet needs to learn how to love herself and stand up for herself against others.
Anyways that's my own take on it so feel to comment whether you agree or disagree with me and why. Looking forward to see how the story goes between them.
And here I thought that Yiyeon had some actual important personal stuff to do. Chef Heemin was trying his best to be open minded in regards of Yiyeon's job but it seems Yiyeon really want to get an reaction out of him. But man, didn't you yourself asked Chef Heemin not to watch the damn episode?
I know that you're trying to figure out whether he has feelings for you or not but damn, you ALREADY KNOW that he's a stoic man so him acting nonchalant about it shouldn't upset you so much. Also acting like a little bitch and refusing to met with him because of that is so low of you.
Man, I love this story but the misunderstandings always get the best of me. They like each other so just kiss already. Why doesn't Yiyeon tell Heemin that he's THE CHEF from the interview?? Please stop lying kid ;-;
Is it just me or the body proportions are looking a bit off lately, especially this chapter? You know, tiny heads and long and skinny bodies. I'm fine with them being tall but why the heads look so small?!