Working as a Lady Official in a Medieval Court

Christina transmigrates into a Mary Sue novel set in a Western court. She's an obscure supporting character, and her family is on the verge of bankruptcy. They send her to court, where she becomes a low-ranking lady-in-waiting. That's no big deal. She's only an earl's granddaughter, with no claim to inherit the title or fortune, so becoming a lady-in-waiting at the palace is perfectly normal. The real problem is that a coup is about to happen. Prince Lionel, who is far down the line of succession, is about to take the throne. She and the other ladies-in-waiting will soon be driven out of the palace with nowhere to go.

Lionel is the male supporting character with the highest reader investment. He loves the heroine, Maria, but loses her while competing for the throne, and his attempt to win her back ends in failure. He resolves to dismiss the noblewomen and ladies-in-waiting from the palace and never take another woman for the rest of his life, all for the heroine.

Christina says, "Prince Lionel, you failed to win her back, so you're dismissing the ladies-in-waiting. What about me? What am I supposed to do? I just found this job!" Christina climbs from low-ranking lady-in-waiting to ceremonial lady-in-waiting, and then to head lady-in-waiting.

Lionel says, "You're really ambitious, aren't you? There's a position even higher than head lady-in-waiting: the queen. Want to apply?"

Christina: ??

"The queen?"

"Yes, I'm still looking for a queen!"

Theme: Striving hard