"That's the power of time. Emotions fade and grow over time. Wounds that seem too fatal to heal can heal with time."
Although I did read this series before I have never read the spinoff, it's just reading it meant that this world that I loved so much is done, no more chapters to look forward to. After reading this, instead of feeling disappointed that I officially finished this WEBTOON I actually felt satisfied. Each character got their well-deserved ending. Although I did not read this series when it was getting released rather I read it when it was already completed, nonetheless I felt like I grew with them. I felt every emotion these characters felt, and so getting to read the spin off was more emotional than I thought it would be.
"If I fail to make a clear choice or waver between different options, I might end up hurting the very person I wish to protect the most."
Edith Edith Edith... one of my all time favorite characters. She is truly one of those characters that I can keep talking about! Edith from the start was hated by the Rudwicks and not trusted by everyone else. However, instead of trying to make it her mission to gain trust from everyone, she decided to live for herself and always try not to cause anything that shifts any attention on her. This plan is quickly shattered not because of anything negative. Edith quickly draws more attention than she had hoped because of her kindness, not to the royal family and not to the Rudwicks but to the servants and anyone who does not bear a title. For example Anna, the very maid who was sent to spy on Edith becomes so loyal to her that they became friends which is against Anna's beliefs and training (more on that later), and with the boat accident, she quickly tells Killian to release Samuel from the dungeon telling him "You only interrogated me in the office, and even though I was under house arrest, I got to stay in my own room. But you've already had Samuel locked up in the dungeon for several hours, right? It's not fair" this caused such mayhem, servants who hated her are now somehow loyal, even smiling and asking about her day whenever they see her. Ryhnon is one of the first people who were shocked by how different Edith is from all the rumors he had heard about her. After working with her, he saw just how hardworking and resilient she is, when she works with him she does not treat him like she is superior but quite the opposite, she acts like he is in charge, and after giving her endless tasks to do she never once complained. "Even my real family never apologized to me so sincerely... even after I resented my parents for their blatant favoritism, even when my manager and coworkers bullied and ostracized me. even when my boyfriend betrayed my trust...all I wanted was an apology." Edith never had love before, she was always abused in both worlds, all she wanted was to feel loved and instead of trying to make people love her (like the previous Edith did) she simply showed kindness and love that she wanted to feel to other people. She never once helped someone and expected a thank you or any feelings of gratitude towards her, maybe that's why everyone was heads over heels for Edith. Yet the Rudwicks never understood why, however after seeing how much Killian started to care for her they were so perplexed, and even Duck Rudwick started criticizing Killian for feeling such strong emotions towards her. Instead of Killian doing reckless things for love like Cliff did, Edith is the reason he became more grounded and more level-headed. This actually makes the Duke and the Duchess respect and later on treat Edith like their daughter. Edith's kindness and selflessness is the reason why this story stopped repeating itself, and the characters are now people with their own choices and thoughts. The characters are now living a life they never thought they would and it's all thanks to Edith.
"So... that's it? I'll never see your smile again? After being treated so horribly by my father? and even I, your own husband... that was the last year of your life? You died before I could even apologize for the way I treated you during our marriage?!"
Killian is one of those love interests that make you giggle and blush whenever he opens his mouth lol. His character development is so endearing to see, from being brainwashed to hate Edith to worshipping the ground she walks on. But of course this trust wasn't built in a day. Despite many *failed* attempts for poor Edith at trying to get Killian to trust her, he only pushes her further away. Killian was always the forgotten son because well, his parents think Cliff is better so they do not bother sharing knowledge or tutoring him with Cliff as he will slow him down. Killian always knows he comes second, he is always second to his brother, second in line to the dukedom, second in Rhyse's love, that is all he is, a second choice. That is of course until Edith came along. He always thought that Edith's kindness was to make him trust her so she can have secrets on them. However his point of view changed when he started seeing how well she treats commoners and that is when every thought he had about her started to shift. What shocked him most was when she woke up from her sleep after almost drowning, the first thing she told him was "Do not risk your life for me, what if something bad happened to you?" this sentence alone was enough to make him deter any bad thought away, because he realized that Edith doesn't look at him like a second choice or someone who is not enough. She looks at him like he is a dream come true. Edith's love for him and kindness was the reason why he stopped comparing himself to Cliff or wonder why his parents do not love him as much as they love Cliff. Although Cliff has the girl of his dreams, his soon to be dukedom and his parents approval he does not have one thing that Killian somehow has, Edith. The girl that won millions of hearts, the girl who got accepted and loved by everyone but somehow by some miracle looks at him like he is the only one she ever wants.
"If this world was that of a story, his life was that of a nameless extra."
Rhynon and Anna are one of these characters that feel like a warm hug. Let's talk about Rhynon first! the first person to show Edith kindness and the first one to be completely unbiased to her. Ryhnon is trained to be always loyal to the Rudwicks, he has no opinions on any matter because he is not allowed to, same thing with Anna a trained maid who can not speak unless spoken to and is so quiet that she is merely a shadow in the background. However Edith never once made them (especially Anna) feel excluded, she always involved them in everything, even going out with Anna and having breakfast together. She did not treat them as extras instead, she treated them like they are one of the main characters, she gave them choices, she included them whenever she can, and thanks to her these cuties are now married!
"I said hurtful things to you without even knowing the full truth. You told me you respect me, but I acted meanly. I, of all people, should do better than that... I know I don't deserve it, but will you accept my apology?"
Katrin is amazing, I love how Edith helped her love herself just the way she is and in doing so, she found a partner in life. Edith is the reason why Katrin's brother is now alive because of her advice to follow her gut and do whatever she feels right. At the end end Edith's kindness is the reason this story is no longer controlled by the author, the restraints of the choices that the character had no choice but to choose are no longer there, thus blossoming so many love stories and not necessarily with a partner but Edith showed them that showing love to one's self is way more important.
"If I can just see you one more time... If your warm eyes can envelop me just once more... Then it doesn't matter what comes next."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The mystery surrounding Edith's reincarnation ended up being much more interesting than I expected. I really liked that the story kept making me question whether Edith actually understood the world she had been reincarnated into. She thinks she knows the plot, but the more she changes things, the more obvious it becomes that she doesn't know nearly as much as she thinks she does. And THAT is what makes the story work. Knowledge of the original novel doesn't automatically make you powerful when the story itself is fighting back.
The story: The FL gets reincarnated as a villainess and has to avoid being killed by the ML.
Drawing style: Gorgeous! Loved it!
Final Thoughts: As soon as I started reading I realized I had already read this Manhwa, but I didn’t care, I read it again because I remember I had enjoyed it a lot and I was right! I loved the art, the characters, the plot, the ending, everything was done in a way that even though it is another “getting reincarnated as a villainess” story, it was so different from what I had read before.
Would I recommend this manhwa: 100%
Would I read it again: well, this is my second read, so yes.