It takes ten episodes to convince someone that they’re not in a video game, I guess.

— Cecil wakes up to learn that Bertia wants to become a nun in order to save him. Is that what happened in the original story? Again, we’re ten episodes in and she still thinks some magical power will intervene and course correct the story. I want to say she’s seen too many villainess anime, but what villainess anime even does this? I’m far from an expert on them, but I can’t recall one off the top of my head.

— Plus, if she’s right, then there’s no free will. No matter what you do — what you desire — you are ultimately forced to obey the story. You are ultimately forced to dance to the whims of fate. How is that remotely desirable?

— Again, Bertia doesn’t think Cecil have free will. Isn’t that a little sad?

— Finally, Bertia explains how the rest of the story should play out. More importantly, she details each of Cecil’s unfortunate outcomes. Basically, if he isn’t the main character, death always follows in his wake (symbolized by the spider lilies). Why couldn’t she have done this from the start? And if not the start, at least episodes ago?

— So all you gotta do to lock yourself into a route is to wear a certain dress? Isn’t that kinda weak?

— In Vald’s route, he becomes a bloodthirsty warmonger. But this is the worst of all possible fates according to Bertia. Cecil has much milder outcomes if Heronia chooses the other boys. To make a long story short, Cecil simply needs a good influence. Or something good to fight for. Otherwise, he’s prone to do whatever entertains him even if it causes harm to everyone. What Bertia stupidly doesn’t realize is that this could be anyone. It doesn’t have to be Heronia and Heronia only. Cecil’s right in that Bertia only has good intentions. But it’s still stupid.

— I totally forgot that Shawn is literally Cecil’s younger brother. But to be fair, I have no interest in his character or archetype. I hate that so many of these villainess shows feel the need to have a shota-like option.

— It sounds like war almost always breaks out no matter whom Heronia chooses. Only by choosing Cecil do we have peace. But why? And what is that enemy kingdom doing right now? Has future conflict already been prevented? Did I forget some crucial plot development from a previous episode? Or does Heronia’s influence’s — that is, the Heronia from the otome game and not the selfish one we know — help guide diplomatic relations later? And now Bertia will also play the same role?

— I mean, if she knows this, then why does she still insist on pairing him up with the heroine?

— Cecil tries one more time to convince Bertia that she is his maiden of destiny. That she can keep him in line. Yeah, I suppose that’s the essentially the premise of the show, buuuuut I have some misgivings. I mean, what he’s saying sounds romantic on the surface — that he will strive to be a good person in order to make Bertia smile — but then it all hinges on her. If tragedy should ever strike and Bertia loses her life, is Cecil going to fall back to his old ways? That’s not exactly a good thing! That means he’s still kinda messed up, and we’re just lucky he currently has a limiter. I know it doesn’t sound all sweet and dramatic if the primary romantic love interest is like, “Well, I’ve grown to become a healthy, well adjusted person thanks to you, so I’ll probably remain a healthy, well adjusted person even if I lose you. I’ll just be sad for a while.” But that’s how it’s supposed to be. If you partner told you they’d go completely off rails if you die, shouldn’t that make you think twice about them as a person?

— But don’t worry about it! We get our kiss with all the shoujo bubbles so all’s well that ends well!

— Why is Kuro being overprotective now? Oh, it’s because Cecil essentially branded her. And once you get the seal, it can never be removed. I guess that’s what it means to be a maiden of destiny. Bertia is locked into this ride (route) and she can’t get off.

— Can the spirits do this to anyone or they need to fulfill some sort of requirement? Like reaching a level of affection with the person they choose? ‘Cause it would be kinda fucked up if you could just brand anyone! Hm, maybe that’s what the light spirit was trying to do with Cecil.

— Yeah, kinda messed up if you put it like that. Of course, Bertia is too clueless to be scared. Even Cecil acknowledges that his love for her is not entirely a good thing.

— Kuro never talks, so she isn’t really a character. She’s just a background prop. So her reluctance to put the same seal on Cecil kinda comes outta nowhere. She has a personality now? She has doubts about Cecil now? Does she even have conversations with Bertia when they’re alone? Has she ever expressed any of thoughts and opinions to Bertia before?

— So what’s left? Well, Heronia’s still out there, thinking that she’s the main character of the story.