'Ugh! This is so stupid!'
I fling the book against the floor in frustration. 'The author should quit writing!' I mutter. 'They're no good at it anyways.'
A Beautiful Dove Among Thorny Bushes - I had picked it up because the title intrigued me, and the art looked promising. But the storyline and the characters? Impossibly annoying.
The extremely beautiful female lead with shining golden hair the colour of pure sunshine and pink jewel-like eyes, who is beloved by all and has a sweet, pure, innocent charm to her ; Anette Merea Sherwood. She started off as a commoner, but was adopted into Baron Sherwood's family after it was discovered she had a promising amount of mana, the natural magic inside one's body, enough to become a mage or sorcerer. Even though Anette was technically a noble after the adoption process, the noblewomen looked down on her for being of commoner birth. Everyone except a guy around Anette's age, who she met by accident at a ball, the male lead of the story.
Captivated by her beauty and kindness, he lingered near her garden every day and brings her flowers. He's very handsome and clearly nobility, but declines her question every time Anette asks his identity. They become great friends and eventually, they both fall head over heels for each other.
Then, one day, Anette discovers she has holy power. Holy power is extremely rare in the Silvyran Empire, and using it, Anette breaks free from the abusive Sherwood family and becomes a saintess. Baron Sherwood and his family beg for her forgiveness, which she grants, and she uses her power to help the empire. Even those who bullied Anette for being a commoner begin to revere her as the great saintess and flower of high society.
Then, it is discovered that the guy Anette has secretly been meeting is the empire's most eligible bachelor, Crown Prince Rohel Viridiaz Silvyra, and he asks her to be his wife. She agrees, and becomes the crown princess, living a great and luxurious rest of her life with him.
But like all dramatic romance novels, there must be a villainess, a twisted, despicable, spiteful woman who stands next to the her and makes her shine even brighter.
Serea Rosaria Vindeasse.
The only daughter of Grand Duke Rosaria and the one to inherit the dukedom, she's a spoiled, wicked woman. With her long flaming red hair, deep blue eyes and pale skin, she resembles a rose, her and Anette being the candidates for most beautiful lady in the empire. But Serea, who is jealous of Anette, consistently torments her with things like pulling out her hair, spilling wine on her, mocking her in front of others, spreading scandulous rumours about her, and even trying to murder her.
This gets worse and worse as the story progresses, since Serea is hopelessly in love with Crown Prince Rohel and dreams of becoming his Empress. When Anette finally marries him, Serea loses all reason, turning hysteric and crazy. She even attempted to stab Anette several times.
However, with Anette's healing magic, she miraculously survives. The Crown Prince, who is obsessively in love with Anette, is horrified and executes Serea for her grave crimes. And like most villainesses, Serea ends up dead by the blade of the man she loved the most in the world.
Pfft. I spat out my water. How could Anette prevail over every obstacle that came her way? It was just plot armour, designed to protect the sweet, pure female protagonist. Otherwise, Anette would've died instantly. All she is is just a pretty, nice, foolish girl who instantly forgives everyone. She would've been torn apart in the real world.
Besides, I much preferred female protagonists to be cunning, smart, beautiful and sly. They were much more complex, much more cool, much more interesting than the 'sweet, innocent, perfect' heroines who apologized before stepping on a bug or forgave everyone who tried to kill them.
I sighed. Thinking about that stupid heroine is just so annoying, I decided. I'm going outside to the balcony for a breath of fresh air.
I stepped outside, letting the chilly spring breeze wash over me like a refreshing wave of water. 'This is so nice,' I murmur to myself, glancing over at the scenery.
And that's where it happened.
I felt something behind me.
And before I knew it, I had been pushed off the balcony and landed below in the grass, a sickening thud greeting me.