The Emperor's Lady-in-Waiting is Wanted as a Bride Vol.1 by Kanata Satsuki (Author), Yoru Ichige (Illustrator), Emily Hemphill (Translator)
Lyse Winslette is reincarnated in the kingdom of Olwen. In her past life, she lived as a lady knight in the powerful kingdom of Razanate. But she can't go back to protect the secret of the Razanete's source of power, the Light of Origin. One day Emperor Egbert together with Imperial Duke Alcede, and knight Sidis visit their country. She then finds herself as the emperor's lady-in-waiting. Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher.
The blurb did not in any way hinted a reverse harem but what caught my attention was the inside art above. And when I made a few keyboard clicks I found someone calling this reverse harem. In Levels of Reverse Harem it falls under three flowers, the gray area where the heroine is surrounded by beautiful men but the reverse harem is not definite. In the first volume, there are two guys who love her. Yes, love. While the other two will serve as generous sources of the main guy's jealousy. But at one point someone mentioned she can go to the kingdom by picking any of the two royalties as a fiance or even become the emperor's mistress. Even though it's pretty obvious that there is only 'the one', it's good that there are possible options or candidates for reverse harem reasons.
This first chapter is by far the most interesting start I have read maybe in my entire life? It's the sweetest scene even though it has only begun. How is that even possible? The problem of having a very powerful start is that it's hard to recreate the feeling. But I was still drawn with the world-building and the flow of the story. I keep imagining it as anime especially the sweet lil things and I'm happy that the manga version has been licensed by the same publisher too.
The only hitch is that the truth is so stretched out even though it's pretty obvious from the start. Or maybe it is intentional to distract you from the conflict in the background because I missed all the signs. There is also a nagging question that may be addressed in the future volume and a thing that seemed redundant but turned out to be vital to the plot.
This is the first time that I felt confused about who her real identity is. Is it Qatara who is reincarnated to Lyle? Or is Lyle now with Qatara as her past self? And I mean this in a good way. This is also a different kind of reincarnation. She didn't get reincarnated into an otome game or to a different world but she was reborn into the same world albeit a different kingdom. There are age gap issues too that are resolved thanks to reincarnation and mana. Lyle is loveable but for her age, her wisdom is so questionable at times.
The novel has dedicated itself to the most creative use of hand situations with all of the bishonen much to the main guy's dismay. No favorite bishonen but I liked how the other two guys kept on egging the main guy. Okay, I wish there's more from them and an illustration for the fourth guy too.
It ends with still one important question unanswered and now the second volume is teasing a possible reverse harem? Or maybe harem. Let me know if you want more reviews from the light novel or the manga in the comments. Don't mind if I do. This is also from the author of I Refuse to Be Your Enemy which I still have not read.
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