Less is seen of Iris in this installment as we dive back into Mer's past and pick up with her training. This time around, the training will expand into the etiquette required of a noble that she had previously ignored following her engagement to Louis (though neither of them appeared to know exactly who they were being engaged to and were both prepared to turn down the arrangement from their parents in favor of the other - lucky for them that wasn't necessary). We also see the beginning of the queen's interest in Mer here, and how that plays into their interactions with the prince. Also took a bit to connect the dots with Sharia, but we see the beginnings of that relationship as well. Mer's first round at the Academy has just wrapped up and it seems something else may loom on the horizon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Merellis daily life continues this time with a touch of romance and her preparations for her life as a proper woman. Much like volume 6, it is a slice-of-life story with a touch of romance set in a non-magic fantasy setting with a bit of action when Merellis draws her sword in the protection of others. The setting and story are fairly generic (and relatively simple), but the characters are likeable. I enjoy the read, but were it not for the earlier volumes on Iris, I probably would not have read it.