Obligatory TW: This is definitely a softer version, but if you don’t like Painter of the Night, this ain’t it fam.

Coercive behavior, power play between Emperor vs Peasant, outright assault and verbal abuse due to the immature nature of the Emperor, pepper the first 8 or so chapters. Lighthearted as you can possibly get with such a theme, but it is what it is.

This beautifully drawn period piece has got to be one of my favorite new quick reads! First of all, the artwork is gorgeous, in that it has that sketched look, yet it’s coloring is patterned and texturized. The palettes were well chosen for each panel; the soft on loud only adds to the storyline itself. As for the characters… well I love me some PoTN… so Emperor Yeon is definitely a red flag, but reds my favorite color, so what it do baby boo?!

Drop dead beautiful, a flippant smirk at the ready, and always willing to stir up trouble just to revel in the aftermath. Definitely a spoiled mindset of the royally groomed and doomed.

Oppositely, we have the eunuch Yoo, better known as “Sogwija” (The Cleaning Demon). I love ‘em innocent, cute and dumb, so naturally this precious cinnamon roll has my heart in a vice grip. I ain’t embarrassed to say that Chapter 1 had me hooked simply because my shared interest with Emperor Yeon…. A sickness for the thickness, and my bb has some choice Lil Debbie’s. Unfortunately for him, them cheeks are the leading cause for his daily harassment by the almighty Emperor, who gradually (and understandably) gets more and more obsessed, and then irritated, that Yoo isn’t fawning over his obvious attempts at seduction through bullying.

Go figure. The inner dialogue/ narration is arguably better than the actual conversations themselves, which are already hilarious as it is. Yeon is a whole ass toddler when he doesn’t get his way, and he literally throws tantrums. I don’t want to find them cute, but I can’t help it! I laugh myself silly every time.

Seriously, when the emperor tried to get to the bottom of the potential bullying/harassment of his precious Yoo, it never once occurred to him that the culprit could have been *gasp* him all along! Plus we Stan a gay power couple- and the Emperor and his consort are pure perfection. Conniving little fiends, hell-bent on tricking and ensnaring their respective boo thangs by any means necessary. But when our lil cinnamon roll actually takes the plunge and falls!?

Whew, someone get the fan, cause I’m getting hot flashes up in dis bish. So. Freaking. Cute. He showers his love and affection, and Emperor Yeon sucks that shit up like a kindergartner with his juice box. Whipped doesn’t even describe it, and his thirsty ass loves being leashed by those delicate little hands. Overall, a delightful series and I plan to enjoy my rereads for many years to come.