The ending did feel rushed, but I think a lot of the characterization and further development would have been much better reinforced if they showed some of the later stories. The goddess plan makes sense, but it would have been better with ore of a setup leading up to it, instead of coming out of nowhere.
Selena didn’t make an all or nothing decision to stay. She decided to stay for now with the awareness that she could leave at a later point, and that further research into the portal could allow for safer and more convenient travel. She really thought about and deliberated on the decision and weighed her emotions and needs up until the very last second. I didn’t read the novel, but according to the afterword, she did find a way to travel, and returned to her world as she wanted to with Calcion and her kids.
Also, it’s not like she gave it all up just to become his wife and manage his affairs (as in most isekai romances). He literally elevated her above him, so she is ruling a nation, and of course they are married and work together, but she has a lot of freedom and power to accomplish what she wants independent of him.
I actually liked how the women were depicted because the whole point of her engagement with them is that seemingly shallow behaviors on the surface were alluding to much deeper motivations and webs of interest. The only one whose pettiness was actually legitimate and above board was Fionelle. Juriel just happened to develop an emotional attachment to someone whom she believed to be her best chance to avoid a bloody death. That situation, coupled with her age and royal status make her behavior understandable, though no less annoying.
Rosaline was was trapped by a skilled manipulator. It was over for her the second she caught feelings for him. Once he caught on, she was the prince’s hunting dog without even realizing it. It was a complex mix of motives, pride, jealousy, affection, and a desire for approval. My personal take is that she did feel legitimate affection for him, but those emotions were tainted with a desire for the power that would come with. However, if he had just gotten engaged to her instead of using her, most of the conflict she took part in never would have taken place.
Lirel and Airell both ended up in vulnerable positions and were taken advantage of. The primary difference being the motives of the ones pulling their strings. They may have worked together, but Rosaline’s motives were utilitarian, while the prince’s were sadistic. Lirel just happened to be more useful alive, and not worth the hassle of an assassination. Fionelle, Juriel, and Rosaline all claimed the same motivation and behave in similar ways on the surface, but everything happening below was completely different and multifaceted.
Hmm, I have mixed feelings, tbh. I read the novel version too.
Felt like all the girls were just fighting each other which gave me ah.. meh, vibe. It made it feel as though all the girls were shallow and only existed to give fl a good rep. And then there's the fact that the assault scene was so easily brushed off by the ml. Her decision to throw away her life's work, even after ml said he was going with her felt a bit disappointing. Then the rushed ending with being a goddess act?... well, the plot was interesting, so I read the whole thing anyway. It just fell flat for me.