Afterword
HELLO AGAIN! This is Reina Soratani. Reaching Volume 4 has been a dream come true for me—thank you so, so much!
When I first started drafting this story, I never imagined it would continue for as long as it has. Remember when I thought this was going to be a rom-com? Reading this volume in particular, you’d never guess. It feels more like the big reveal of the final boss.
I developed Elfa’s character relatively late into the process. My original plan was that she and Chesuit would rarely ever enter the picture, so all they needed were names. The rest was left completely blank. I only started thinking about Auld and Elfa when I planned out how Yulan and Violette would end up together.
Due to her father’s influence, Maryjune is rather shortsighted and oblivious. She never once noticed what was happening to Violette. Since she spent her whole life in that environment, I do feel what she’s become isn’t her fault. That doesn’t mean Violette has to forgive her, even so.
Elfa, however, knowingly slept with a married man, had his child, and became his second wife with no thought for his previous family. No matter what excuse Auld may try to make, he should have felt that something was off. There’s no way he didn’t notice, right? The moment I realized she could be the villain of my story, I went with it immediately. She’s great at provoking Violette’s trauma, and she crushed Auld under her heel. I think she’s filled her role fantastically. Definitely the scariest person in this series.
As for Auld, I’m sure many people were hoping for him to get his just deserts, but I hadn’t planned for that even before Elfa was in the picture. Reconciliation was always off the table, but more than that, I couldn’t imagine Auld ever feeling any sort of regret about Violette. I was starting to think she’d never get to taste revenge, the poor thing…but that was when Elfa fell into my lap! What a blessing. Sorry about your trashy taste in women, Auld.
The most fun I had was writing Yulan’s dark and twisty side. With Vio he’s like cotton candy dipped in honey, but with Maryjune he’s an unfeeling demon. It’s such a blast! Poor Maryjune’s probably traumatized for life now. The princely boy she thought she knew turned out to be a heartless monster—for a sheltered angel, that’s a horror story. I felt bad for her as I was writing it, but rather than hold Yulan back, I let him destroy her. Fun!
Considering what a demon he is, it’s amazing to see Gia brush off his attacks so easily. I like that their relationship exists in this gray area between friendship and chew toy. That said, while they each have an accurate assessment of the other, they don’t truly understand each other. Perhaps “friendship” isn’t quite apt—more like two people who find themselves stuck together against their will, possibly their whole lives.
I also think Yulan and Chesuit balance each other out nicely. Their rapport is like the one he has with Gia, since Chesuit is a fiercely independent sort of man. He’s also one of the few adults Yulan respects. They’ve only just started getting to know each other, but I think they’ll get along. I think Yulan needs someone who can put him in his place every now and then. He’s not used to being treated like a child, and regardless of the delicate considerations over status, he might find it refreshing not to be worshipped for a change.
Reflecting on Volume 4, we still have plenty of trials for our cast of villains to overcome. Not just for Violette, obviously, but for Maryjune—rough, painful trials. She was always going to have to learn the truth eventually, and now she’s seen her mother’s true colors.
As for Elfa, the instant I thought of her “She doesn’t even resemble you” line, I knew I had to put it in! I had Maryjune take the blow along with her father. It was gutting for Violette too, in various ways, but she’s got Yulan and Marin to support her. I’m not sure how Maryjune and Auld will recover from this, or if they even can. Eventually I’d like to write from all three parents’ perspectives, but I suspect nothing good can happen in those chapters.
Anyway: Yulan and Violette are finally affianced! Now that they’re entitled to be as lovey-dovey as they like, I can picture Yulan becoming unstoppable. I’d love for them to go on a double date with Claudia and Rosette, but considering everyone’s complicated feelings for each other, I’m not sure it’s prudent.
I’d also like the opportunity to give Claudia and Rosette their time in the sun. I do think they have a nice chemistry together; I sense that they’ll have a polar opposite kind of romance from Yulan and Violette. We’re approaching the final act of this story, but there’s still so much I want to write—ah, what bliss! I’d love for you to stick around through it all.
Volume 4 wouldn’t have been possible without all the help I received from so many people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Like I said in Volume 3, I’m so incredibly delighted and honored to have made it this far. Also, Volume 4 of the manga adaptation is out now. I’d love for you to check it out. As with previous volumes, it includes a bonus short story, so look forward to it!
Reina Soratani
May 2022