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It’s intriguing how the story portrays the Queen’s role. Although she’s called a Queen, the line about the King being allowed concubines raises the possibility that the ML’s mother may have originally been a concubine who gained a higher status. If she took over after the previous Queen’s death, it would add complexity to her position, especially if she’s been reigning for a shorter time than expected.
That scene where the FL and ML walk away after greeting the King and Queen at the ball is especially captivating. It seemed as though the Queen was reminiscing, possibly about the former Queen’s smile, which gives her character a bit more depth. Yet, her relationship with her son remains harsh, given her history of torturing him. This duality makes her a really complex and conflicted character—her memories of the previous Queen could hint at guilt or regret, which adds an interesting layer to her actions.