Tearmoon Empire: Volume 5

Similarly to the previous volume, the fifth book of Tearmoon Empire is also split into two arcs. In the first half of the book, we see the conclusion of the summer vacation with Esmeralda. Since they kept talking about a cult, I was expecting them to run into some shady cult members on the island... but they don't. Instead, they find something that reveals the link between the Chaos Serpents and Tearmoon's first emperor. Which really explains the state of the empire. But this being a Tearmoon Empire book, the summer vacation safely ends with Mia recruiting Esmeralda as an ally. It seems that even in the preview timeline, Esmeralda had a lot of regrets about fleeing the empire with her family. She was previously a comical, stereotypical, bitter ojousama who just wants Mia's attention, but this book gives her more depth as a character.

Esmeralda isn't the only one joining Mia though, because after the second arc, Ruby from the Redmoon family also becomes an ally. Based on her portayal in the previous book, I really didn't expect her issue to be so focused on romance. Actually, the issue itself is romance. Which seems to lead to a happy ending, based on what the book says about her future. It might not be for everyone, but I personally find it cute. Mia has been unknowingly getting in their way, both in the previous timeline and the current one. It led to an especially terrible outcome in the previous timeline, and since Mia has matured a lot, she immediately realized where it went wrong. But as the Japanese saying goes, those who disturb the love of others shall be kicked by a horse and die. And that's what happens to Mia. Except she doesn't get kicked and doesn't die. Instead, she gets sneezed on by horses. For many, many times.

The Princess Chronicles book does change and says Mia is going to die soon though, after the upcoming Holy Eve Festival. The reason is not divulged in this book, so I can look forward to that in the next volume. While we still haven't learned anything about the Yellowmoon family, we do get to meet their daughter, Citrina, who is now best friends with Miabel. Overall, it was a really fun read with a lot of horses and cute moments. Can't wait to see what's going to happen to Mia next.