beta
I actually like the villains a lot. Alena is smart (although clueless and maybe a bit naive) and calculative. Her ex was also quite shameless (I like this quality from a villain). Her brother though is another story.
Also this story reminds me of Ebony. Like wanting to change the stereotypes of women in the empire/kingdom.
Crown prince? looks a bit sus. And we're teased already with characters from other countries.