The Queen Is Still Keeping Her Head Down Today

"As a proper lady, you must be graceful and composed, steady and clever."

"As the eldest daughter, you must shoulder your responsibilities and take the lead."

"As queen..."

Serani Aikela pursed her red lips and tilted her wineglass.

"You must stay calm and ruthless, and plan every move carefully."

Blood-red wine spilled onto the rebel's disheveled hair, then dripped onto the spotless carpet.

"Have her hanged in public."

"Otherwise, you'll become another clod of earth in a rotting land, trampled beneath everyone's feet."

The so-called struggle among the court's marquises...

Was nothing more than a game of fighting over who got to pull the puppet's strings.

"Who told you that?"

The so-called puppet gazed beyond the cage, her voice calm and quiet.

"This crown did."

The queen's pale fingertips gently tapped the silver crown in her hair.

"It told me."

Tips:

1. The setting is entirely fictional. Please don't scrutinize it for historical accuracy.

2. The main focus is romance, so other plotlines may have some logical flaws.

3. Both leads are sexually inexperienced, but this isn't their first love or an idealized romance, and it isn't pure fluff.

Theme: A strong female lead