This show started out strong and exciting. The moment the twin brother was killed and the girl became the Crown Prince, I was hooked and committed. Bring it on, I was really into it.

I liked the main plot. I am into hidden identities, cross dressing, forbidden love, politics and war. I lap those tropes up. I didn’t care much about the childhood sweethearts connection. It was great first 15 episodes.. then it sort of lost its way then fizzled out until the last episode.

The FL actually did a good job, but you can never ever convince me that she is male. But anyway, that’s neither here nor there. It was an okay portrayal, I just didn’t think she had much going on with the ML. Now, let’s talk about the ML. I think I am biased to say, that I wish he was not a scholar or physician but rather the bodyguard. I think in the manhua, the ML is the bodyguard or soldier. It was just an injustice to his character. He was always this useless, weak character that can’t do much for the King. It is quite annoying to watch. If he wasn’t her teacher then her secretary and rather some badass character, I think it could have been better… although I think another actor will be suitable for this…Then Roowon, I am sorry to say was rather bland in his portrayal. He has mastered the look of hopelessness.

I love the secondary characters, or what I think of as her “harem”. The cousin Prince Hyun and Eunsoo, the most beautiful bodyguard in the face of the Joseon era. Eunsoo, what another injustice, not much screen time and I just wished he got more parts into the story. To be honest, these two guys had more going on for them with the FL than the actual ML.

I was actually satisfied with the ending, not because the FL and ML got their happily ever after, but Prince Hyun becoming King. If there was one outcome I was hoping for this was it. Oh, and I need this hot bodyguard to have his own show.

All in all, it was a steady and okay watch.