It Was a Mistake, Grand Duke!
Vivian Louis, daughter of count Louis, fell in love with the young Grand Duke, Lennox Elphidion Glenn, at the tender age of 14. It's already been 7 years since then, and most of her hobbies evolve around her unrequited crush; From drawing him to writing her own series of fan-fiction about him. One day a friend of hers leave some magical artifacts in her possession and when curiosity gets the best of her and she takes a look at them, she accidentally shatters a mysterious marble that sends her into a trance. When she comes to, she's on top of the very guy she's been fantasising about for years. Believing she "kidnapped" him, she apologizes profusely, but contrary to expectations he's not mad at all. In fact he acts oddly loving towards her and even suggests they becomes lovers. For even though the duke is the most eligible bachelor, coveted by every single woman in high society for his looks, money, ability and social status, he has actually been in love with the mediocre Vivian for many years as well. Thus they silly, but fluffy romance insues! This is a very light hearted and fluffy romance story. One should not expect nail-biting tension or brain-wracking plothooks, but it's great for those rainy days when you just want something cute, light and easily-digestible. But even though that's the story's vibe, I can't help but to have a few critiques: My beef is not actually with the obvious trope where the mediocre, female MC getting with the unattainable pretty boy alone on the grounds of her quirky personality. Neither is it with the obviously cringy plot and one-dimensional characters. What really bothers me is how everyone infantalizes the MC. She's not even 15 or 17, like in many other aristocratic/romance/fantasy settings. She's 21. Yet most of the characters treat her like she's a prepubescent teen at best and at worst like a toddler - including the ML. She's a grown woman but her parents treat her like she can't make decisions for herself, her in-laws literally feed her like a baby and the ML only seems to love her for her immature, innocent and "cute" characteristics. And it really rubs me the wrong way, especially when the story has some sexual innuendo and the story's focus is on the two MC's immenent marriage. I know the story just wants to be cute, and that I'm probably overly critical. But...urgh... It just gives me grooming vibes... And I don't like that. But okay, it's not too bad. The characters are overall likeable and the story does the comedy and slice of life aspects pretty well. It's cute and easily digestible, and the art is pretty too. 3/5 stars.
Grand Duke, It Was a Mistake!