He takes her away from her mother and brings her to his mansion, where he forces her to pretend to be his heir, Eustace Jr. He tells her that she is the result of his affair with a noblewoman who died giving birth to her. He also warns her that if she ever reveals her true gender or identity, he will kill her mother.
Camellia has no choice but to obey him and live as a boy. She suffers from loneliness, abuse, and discrimination from the duke and his servants. She also has to deal with the pressure of being the heir of a powerful family and the expectations of society.
She finds some solace in reading books and writing letters to her mother, whom she misses dearly. She also makes some friends along the way, such as Lila, a maid who becomes her confidante, and Julian, a prince who becomes her rival and ally.
As she grows up, she faces various challenges and dangers that test her courage, intelligence, and loyalty. She also develops feelings for Julian, who is unaware of her true gender. She wonders if she can ever escape from the duke’s clutches and reunite with her mother. She also questions her identity and destiny as Camellia.
Themes
The novel explores several themes, such as:
- Identity: The novel shows how Camellia struggles with her identity as a girl who has to live as a boy. She has to hide her true self and conform to the norms of society. She also has to deal with the conflict between her birth name and her adopted name. She wonders who she really is and what she wants in life.
- Lies: The novel shows how lies can ruin lives and relationships. Camellia’s life is based on a lie that the duke created for his own benefit. She has to lie to everyone around her, including herself. She also discovers that many people in her life are lying to her or hiding secrets from her. She learns that lies can have serious consequences and that truth can be painful but liberating.
- Love: The novel shows how love can be a source of happiness and sorrow. Camellia loves her mother more than anything and longs for her presence. She also falls in love with Julian, who makes her feel alive and special. However, she also suffers from the loss of love and the fear of losing love. She wonders if she can ever be loved for who she really is.
- Power: The novel shows how power can be a blessing and a curse. Camellia is born into a low-class family but becomes the heir of a high-class family. She gains wealth, status, and influence that many people envy or covet. However, she also loses freedom, peace, and happiness that many people take for granted. She realizes that power comes with responsibility, danger, and sacrifice.
Characters
The novel has several characters that play important roles in the story, such as:
- Camellia: The protagonist of the novel. She is a smart, brave, and kind girl who has to live as a boy named Eustace Jr. She is loyal to her mother and friends but defiant to the duke and his enemies. She loves reading books and writing letters. She falls in love with Julian but fears that he will reject or hate her if he finds out her true gender.
- Julian: The deuteragonist of the novel. He is a handsome, charming, and talented prince who is the heir of the kingdom. He is friendly to everyone but competitive with Eustace Jr., whom he considers his rival and friend. He is curious about Eustace Jr.’s secrets and feelings. He falls in love with Eustace Jr. but is confused by his own emotions and identity.
- Duke Eustace: The antagonist of the novel. He is a cruel, greedy, and ambitious man who is the father of Eustace Jr. He is the head of the Eustace family, one of the most powerful and influential families in the kingdom. He has a dark past and a hidden agenda that involve Camellia and her mother. He abuses and manipulates Camellia for his own benefit and does not care about her happiness or well-being.
- Lila: A supporting character of the novel. She is a sweet, loyal, and cheerful maid who works for the Eustace family. She is the only person who knows Camellia’s true gender and identity. She becomes Camellia’s best friend and confidante. She helps and supports Camellia in her troubles and adventures. She also has a crush on Leo, another maid who works for the Eustace family.
Appeal
The novel has many appealing aspects that attract readers, such as:
- Romance: The novel has a romantic plot that involves Camellia and Julian, who have a complicated and forbidden relationship. They have to overcome many obstacles and enemies that try to separate them or harm them. They also have to deal with their own feelings and doubts that confuse them or hurt them. They have to face the truth about themselves and each other and decide whether they can be together or not.
- Fantasy: The novel has a fantasy setting that involves magic, royalty, and adventure. The novel takes place in a fictional kingdom that has a history, culture, and politics that are influenced by magic. The novel also has some supernatural elements, such as curses, prophecies, and secrets that affect the characters and the plot. The novel also has some action scenes, such as duels, battles, and escapes that add excitement and suspense to the story.
- Writing: The novel has a writing style that is creative and informative. The novel uses descriptive language, vivid imagery, and expressive dialogue that bring the story to life. The novel also uses humor, irony, and symbolism that add depth and meaning to the story. The novel also has a good pace, structure, and flow that keep the readers engaged and interested.
Where To Read Finding Camellia
You can read Finding Camellia in two formats: webcomic and webnovel. The webcomic is available on Manta, a platform that offers official comics with high-quality art and translations.
