I'm only on ch8 so maybe it'll be clarified later, but I'm a little confused on what's happening. The story seems to jump back and forth between the past and present. Can a kind soul please help?
So far this is what I currently understand:
FL is the bastard daughter of the marquis that he fathered with a maid. The FL was badly neglected by the father and the rest of the servants. Bc the marquis owed a huge debt to the Duke, there was an egangement between the FL and Valer. It seems she moved in to live with him at Witash since they were children. After all, she was engaged to him so had to learn the ropes of a duchess. However, he went to war and before leaving for war, he actually threw a signed annulment paper at her. When he came back from war, he still didn't want to marry her. Rather, he still treated her coldly while he being friendly and considerate to the other peers. While attending a party as a representative of Witash (the Duke himself did not attend) she overheard the Emperor talk about the criteria he's looking for in a wife?
Then Lady Eustace went to their home and they had a confrontation. After seeing how Witash refused to listen to her, she signed the annulment papers. She returns home and attends the party where she thinks the ML will be and then propositions him?
I THINK i got the timeline right?
From what I can tell, Benji is Gaston in this beauty and the beast retelling. However, Benji is a more sympathetic and nicer version of Gaston. The only reason I say they're similar is that Benji is really determined to be the knight in shining armor and saving his damsel in distress, even though she clearly said she doesn't need saving. His heart is in the right place and he's not forcing her or anything, but he's also not hearing her. She's not asking him to save her or get stronger for her benefit, but he's doing it anyway.
I can't read a smack of Japanese, but from what I read, looks like that's a positive direction in their relationship.
Looks like Rio has a childish possessiveness on the uke. He's sorta like his uncle in that regard, but he's less obsessive/domineering.
(P.S. I bought the raws. If you want to spend about $6USD, let me know and I'll send you the link of where to buy the raws. I don't have links otherwise).
In order to read Ch 4 and 5, you'll need to buy August and September's issue:
https://www.cmoa.jp/title/103670/
SPOILER
lol as I'm reading the novel and Cale being the hero who sacrifices himself for justice and peace, i have to say him coughing up blood as way to recover is such a good scamming scheme lol. Cale complains but he has to admit it works to trick the people into thinking he's weak or dying or sacrificing himself to save people haha.











I freaking teared up this chapter