You want to know what trope it is,
Childhood sweethearts to falling in love, to one betraying the other only to protect the person, to years spending apart and being enemies being unconscious of the actual truth to forced to work together and being lovers again to this time the other one betraying them only to protect them to be enemies again.
*sigh*

Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai deserve this effin world!!!

No doubt why this book made it into my all-time fav list only after 2 chapters into the book. It has everything I love, childhood love, betrayal, "only to protect you" trope, dagger to the throat scene, forced allies, retelling, fight for the power. And the politics *chefs kiss*
The angst in their relationship is so strong. Plus, Juliette's sarcasm. The rich portrayal of culture. Uffffff, everything is so dark and tempting.
Chloe Gong is a queen <3
Ch