Of Swords and Parasols

June, Lucia and Sejuro attend Rohini Royal Academy, where June and lucia-along with other girls- compete to see who will be named the new Queen of Light. June is energetic and popular and more than a bit lazy, while Lucia is more reserved and regal, and doesn’t seem to know how to talk to people well. Sejuro is quiet and follows June’s lead, and was found by her in the snow when they were children. He’s devoed to June, who treats him like a cross between a kid brother and a pet, and doesn’t seem to realize that lucia has a crush on him. The manhwa wins points with me for setting up an obvious love triangle, but not seeming to even think about portraying June or Lucia as anything but likable and sympathetic, despite how easy it would be to vilify one.

There’s also a boy who joins June on one of her quests to prove herself the best candidate the queen who ends up being a judge. He objects to June as a potential queen because he knows she won’t leave Sejuro behind, and Sejuro apparently has demon blood, which no doubt foreshadows a number of plot developments.

This is by Yeon-Joo Kim, the manhwaga of Nabi: The Prototype and has the same kind of lovely imagery and vague but interesting worldbuilding. It also starts with the plotline well underway, and doesn’t give the reader a lot of time to catch up. Pretty and fun, but also confusing. Though I admit I’d rather read more of Nabi.