It was a good thing I reduced my expectations for this drama despite all the hype and positive reviews otherwise I would have been more disappointed with this drama.

Being a romantic at heart, the dramas that move me are the ones where the both the ML and FL show their love for each other after overcoming numerous pitfalls. In this drama, just when I thought the leads reached this point, the story tried to be different by continuing to portray the FL hiding her true feelings from the ML right up to the point of her demise.

Major spoiler - I had my own interpretation of why she did that at her deathbed. Perhaps she loved him so much she wanted to do the classic “hurt him so he forgets her” move which was also hinted at when one of her best friends tries to tell the ML about the FL’s love for him when she gives him the FL’s momentos.

The beginning was good particularly seeing how the ML come to terms with his growing love for the FL. I enjoyed seeing him portray a range of emotions from joy (when he overheard her telling her friends she liked him), yearning (the last time he asked her to be with him) to pain (when he was looking through her momentos).

On the other had, I didn’t connect much with the FL expressions especially her wide eyed surprised / shocked looks which started to annoy me whenever I saw it. The storyline didn’t help win any points with me either as it got tiring to see her continuously be vague about her feelings for the ML. Even the flashback scene of them with their newborn was lacking in love on her part. And the ending scene which was supposed to be sweet and romantic didn’t deliver as her expressions looked so controlled as she smiled at him. (Reminds me of how an empress needed to smile - a fake one just to show a pleasant face)

The pacing for this drama was a bit slow at times so I ended up multitasking with my iPad while watching it - not a good sign which is why this drama didn’t end up as one of my favourites.

What saved the day was the gorgeous costumes and beautiful cinematography. I loved the lighting, sets and props which gave it a very authentic feel and transported me back in time.

So, does he love her more than she loves him?

The answer for me is that they both love each other but he was more open in showing his love to her throughout. And while I understand why she hid her feelings in the beginning, the romance died down when she went back to hiding her feelings after the brief loving moment of their first night together. If only there were some scenes to show mutual genuine love after she became his consort...