Does 'Fairest' Have A Romantic Subplot, And With Whom?

As someone who devoured 'Fairest' in one sitting, I can confirm the romantic subplot is subtle but impactful. The focus is on Queen Levana's twisted obsession with Emperor Kai from 'The Lunar Chronicles', which reveals her desperation for power masked as love. Their 'relationship' is entirely one-sided—Kai despises her manipulations, making it a chilling study of unrequited obsession rather than romance. Levana's fixation drives her cruelest actions, showing how love (or her warped version of it) can corrupt absolutely. The book also hints at past romantic tensions between Levana and her guard, Sybil, adding layers to her emotional volatility. It's less about sweet moments and more about how distorted affection fuels tyranny.

The romantic elements in 'Fairest' are fascinating because they subvert traditional tropes. Levana’s 'romance' with Kai isn’t about connection—it’s about control. She uses glamour to force his attention, revealing how deeply her inability to love authentically ties into her villainy. The book’s most intriguing dynamic is actually between Levana and her sister Channary, whose cruel teasing about Levana’s appearance warps her understanding of affection. This sibling rivalry sets the stage for Levana’s later obsession with Kai, showing how her hunger for validation manifests as possessive lust.

What makes 'Fairest' stand out is its exploration of how trauma skews romance. Levana’s brief, toxic fling with a guard named Evret is the closest she gets to real love, but even that is tainted by her manipulation. His eventual rejection cements her belief that only power—not affection—can secure loyalty. The book’s romance isn’t heartwarming; it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of equating love with domination. Readers craving swoon-worthy moments might prefer 'Cinder' and Kai’s healthier relationship, but 'Fairest' offers a brilliant psychological dive into villainous 'love.'

Forget flowers and confession—'Fairest' paints romance as a weapon. Levana’s fixation on Kai is borderline predatory, leveraging her mind-control abilities to simulate intimacy. The real tragedy is her fleeting connection with Evret, her guard. Their scenes crackle with tension: he pities her, she covets him, and their brief marriage is built on deceit. When he chooses another woman, Levana’s heartbreak fuels her descent into monstrosity.

The book’s genius lies in contrasting Levana’s warped desires with Cinder’s genuine bond with Kai in 'The Lunar Chronicles'. While Cinder earns love through trust, Levana demands it through fear. Even Levana’s 'romance' with her mirror (yes, really) underscores her narcissism. It’s less a subplot and more a character study—how the absence of true love can create a tyrant. If you enjoy dark, psychological twists on love stories, try 'The Young Elites' by Marie Lu next.