Lauvil's manga / #Munchkin ML(10)

Dropped for the following reasons: 1. The story is kind of boring 2. The misunderstand between the FL and ML is pointlessly drawn out, to the point of rediculousness. Cluelessness can be funny and cute, but the author has gone to far when you begin to question the character's intelligence. 3. The novel suffers a severe case of internalised misogyny, as exemplified by: - Most of the central characters being male - Female characters, aside from the MC, are either extras, that serve as plot-devices but little more, or the antagonist. - Male characters are allowed growth and redemption (as seen with the prince and the emperor), but female characters are not (like the princess). - The MC is allowed very little choice for herself. Instead the male characters have taken it upon themselves to shape her future - usually without discussing it with the MC herself. - The MC rarely gets the chance to prove or defend herself, bc a male character always appears to save her (usually the ML) - The MC is treated by the plot as a typical "not like other girls"-girl.

Paused ch. 23

Ch. 26

Elisha is a slave of the Cartier family. When she was young her aristocratic father died and left behind massive debt, and even though she had long been abandoned by him, she was forced to take responsibility. She becomes collateral and lives as a slave of the family she's indebted to. She is abused and assaulted and finally dies in an attempt to escape, only to wake up several years in the past. With the knowledge of her miserable future she decides to escape it by allying herself with the Cartier family's black sheep; General Lucerne, whom she knows plan to take over the family or destroy it if he can't. To solidify their deal, she agrees to marry him and thus their relationship deepens. I am thoroughly tired of premises like this. The setting is a sexist/mysogynistic shit show, that only serves as a backdrop for the toxic romance the story centers. The ML is creepy, forceful, cold and generally unlikeable. His assets are good looks, fortune and status - which, by patriarchal standards, are all men are needed to have to make a good husband - but his personality is shit. Any small kindnesses are highlighted as if the sum of them will somehow make him a good person, when really he barely reaches the minimum standard for what that is. Any scene in which the couple are intimate makes me uncomfortable, bc the FL is clearly afraid and the ML is completely unfazed by this and makes no effort to alleviate her anxiety. I know women are conditioned to like assertive men, but his behaviour is just scary and I'm not here for it. The FL has the blandness of a classic female main character, but one could attribute that to her past abuse. She's very cautious, anxious and nonconfrontational. However she does try to fight back against her fate and abusers. I just don't like that her only option is to marry out of the abuse - especially when the husband gives off toxic vibes. So, 20 chapters was enough for me. I'm done with this.

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.