I Was a Shadow of the Royal Family, but Now That I’ve Been Reborn, I’m Devoted to You in This Life As Well!

Milan is a shadow of the royal family, serving the young first prince, Lorde, and spending time with him like family. When the kingdom becomes embroiled in war, Milan is killed while protecting the first prince during the chaos of war. In time, Milan is reborn as Duchess Lisel of Jeus. She lives in the shadow of the royal family and remembers Milan swearing allegiance to the royal family. After inheriting Milan’s will, Lisel trains in secret, honing her espionage and assassination skills to the same level as her former self. She becomes engaged to Eduardo, the son of King Lorde, and vows to protect him and make him the future king, but her loyalties are too strong and she is shunned. Eduardo is attracted to the baroness, and Lisel is forced to break the engagement!

Original Publisher

syosetu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on I Was a Shadow of the Royal Family, but Now That I’ve Been Reborn, I’m Devoted to You in This Life As Well! ### First Impressions Okay, let's dive into "I Was a Shadow of the Royal Family, but Now That I’ve Been Reborn, I’m Devoted to You in This Life As Well!" What a mouthful! Right off the bat, the premise grabbed my attention: a shadow guard reincarnated as a duke's daughter, still devoted to her former master, now a king. It's a classic shoujo setup with a twist of reincarnation and a master-servant dynamic that definitely piqued my interest. However, I went in knowing this was a short story, and that definitely colored my expectations. ### What Works Well The core concept is genuinely appealing. The idea of a second chance at love, especially when tied to a past life of service and sacrifice, is always a winner in my book. Many readers praised the unique take on the villainess trope, and I agree! It's refreshing to see a female lead who isn't necessarily seeking revenge but rather a genuine connection with the one she served. The European ambience adds a nice touch, creating a believable backdrop for the royal intrigue and blossoming romance. Despite its brevity, the story manages to establish a clear dynamic between the main characters, and there are definitely some sweet, lovey-dovey moments that made me smile. ### Areas of Concern My biggest issue, and one that seems to be echoed by many, is the story's length. It feels incredibly rushed. The pacing is so fast that the emotional impact is lessened, and the world-building feels underdeveloped. I wanted more details about the MC's past life as a shadow, her training, and the nuances of her relationship with the ML. The development of the ML's feelings also felt a bit lacking; the story hints at her being a mother-figure, sister, and first love, but it doesn't fully explore why she's different from other shadows. A longer, more detailed version could truly elevate this story to something special. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Several readers have pointed out the significant age gap between the MC and ML (around 20 years). This might be a trigger for some readers. Additionally, there's a brief mention of the ML viewing the MC as a mother and sister figure, which could be interpreted as a form of familial affection, potentially bordering on incest. The author doesn't dwell on this, but it's something to be aware of if you're sensitive to such themes. ### Final Verdict "I Was a Shadow of the Royal Family, but Now That I’ve Been Reborn, I’m Devoted to You in This Life As Well!" is a quick, enjoyable read with a lot of potential. It’s a charming shoujo story with a unique premise that could be truly amazing if expanded upon. If you're looking for a short and sweet escape, this might be right up your alley. Just be prepared for a story that leaves you wanting more.