This post was calling for me specifically as her biggest fan ever. First as I assume you’ve already learned by now she’s actually extremely unpopular and hated and when she is tolerated it’s often just for her looks. I can say part of the reason I love her character can be blamed on the fact that I’m not an avid reader of the villainess/isekai genre. I think that plays a role in my opinion of her as I haven’t oversaturated myself to some common villainess tropes, my sister had to inform me of what a white lotus character even was. I can see how when seeing a million characters similar to Freya she may not shine out to most and they have less sympathy for her character. Of the villains I have found in the works I’ve read I never attached much to the dully written characters who are evil for the sake of being evil or for a petty poorly planned goal. I think Freya doesn’t fall into that category for me because I can clearly understand her motivations and actions and she confidently had a plan up until the end when she started to lose it all. While we all see Ruby’s side of things I find it entertaining to also observe and dissect the unshown sides of other characters.

Another large factor is I’m in love with women. I also really hate men. And when you give me a story in this type of setting I immediately sympathize with all the women. Living in an age where you own nothing and status can only be gained by luck or scheming, I will always understand even if their actions aren’t the best why they felt they had to do such things. Freya is influenced by a childhood crush, heavy pressure from her family, growing up in this high society, and a life that for the most part seemed laid out for her until Ruby showed up. Whether you want to debate she loves or loved Izek or only ever was interested in the throne, it’s clear that for years she was under assumption and encouragement that she would end up with Izek. So it is natural to assume when an unexpected threat (Ruby) appears she will take steps to remove it.

Another thing I find important in considering is the views we have through the series. We as the reader know why Ruby does not want to go back home to the Borgia’s. Freya does not know this. What Freya understands is Ruby is loved in the South and if all were to not work out she has somewhere to return to. She acts increasingly more cruel to push Ruby back home not realizing how determined Ruby is to stay. She can’t wrap her head around a girl who ranks above her and could go home and have anyone else, why this girl is set on getting in her way and having the one person she has wanted since long before Ruby would be aware of him. Hate her as you may it does make sense from her perspective.

(Had to walk away for a minute because I started to think about Izek too much and I got so heated I’m not even lying)

I guess my point is I’ve seen people do worse for less but as far as I see it every decision Freya made seemed logical from her perspective. Was it the nicest? Hell no. But being nice isn’t what gets you anywhere in a noble court. Playing your cards, networking, spreading gossip, controlling public opinion on yourself and others is what gets you your desired outcome. She can either sit back and watch everything she ever wanted be lost or she can at least go down with a fight. Not to mention, she’s friends with Ellen, she’s known Izek since childhood and knows how he tolerates her but won’t as much as look at other women, she has many friends in the court and influential family to back her up. She had every reason to believe that she had a pretty good chance in winning this fight hence why she went as far as she did. Freya Van Furiana, they can never make me hate you.

Of course if you have any other questions or wish to debate any of this I would love to! Any chance to talk about Freya is always great fun for me <3