Damn that was kinda sad ngl. It shows how far greed can take a person. Rashta didn't just want sovishit. In the end she wanted throw a shadow over Navier and she wanted to take her place. She wanted Navier to be miserable.
Not excusing adultery at all but she originally became the mistress to escape slavery. I very much doubt she loved the king. She needed his authority to get herself out of there. As a slave hiding her identity, I doubt surviving among a bunch of power hungry classist nobles would've been easy. The king was just dumb as fk for trying to make her the Empress because no fking way a woman with no education can take on that kind of responsibility.
His selfish actions set Navier free but trapped Rashta forever in a position of power she never actually needed. Rashta, being desperate and yes, greedy but also very naive agreed to being the Empress only because she blindly trusted him the same way Navier did.
Once her position was in jeopardy, for her, it was a matter of survival. Once she crossed the line and justified murder and abuse, there was no going back. She could no longer be a mother to her own children.
I don't love Rashta but I don't fully hate her either. I have a more nuanced opinion of her character. I believe if she was born a noble she would not have done what she did. Again, totally not excusing her actions but just looking at them from a different perspective. This story does a good job of conveying how a classiest society works. Rashta never really stood a chance.
Also fuck sovieshit
My two cents : Rashta DEFINITELY didn't love sovieshu. She legit only says she does in extreme moments (Example: dungeon), or when it benefits her (Example : when she's asking for something from Sovieshu).... Not to mention she was never against cheating on Sovieshu with Ergi in the beginning even though she JUST got married with Sovieshu
Also, I wholeheartedly believe Rashta is the type of person who has an ego SO BIG, in the end they could really only love themselves.
One of the best stories I've read. Damn....It's going to be really hard now that I've read something of this standard. Wish I could go back in time and read it for the first time gain....
Not 100% a historical fantasy, but if you're into reincarnation stories you could try Moonrise During the Day https://www.mangago.zone/read-manga/moonrise_during_the_day/
It's got a revenge storyline, ghosts/possession, mystery, and the main couple is pretty compelling. Also it's finished so you don't have to wait for chapters!
and I've posted under the wrong comment. Very cool of me.
Lol fwiw I added this to my reading list