The empire's archduchess Rosalin has a mysterious new lover, Fenrir, a lowborn shape-shifting anthromorph. However, in a world that separates them by class, their love didn’t bloom easily. Turning a blind eye to the injustices of the empire, Rosalin showed no interest in anyone but herself, and having never known his parents or even his own name, Fenrir trusted no one. In a society full of prejudice and hate for their love, can this unlikely couple overcome the odds against them?
The series is currently ongoing. The official English translation is available to read on Tapas.
The Archduchess's Loyal Shapeshifter contains examples of:
- Animal Eyes: Fenrir has yellow eyes with slit pupils.
- Arranged Marriage: Rosalin's parents married her off to the incompetent Lord Lucian in the hopes it would prevent her from accumulating too much political power and becoming a threat to her brother, the future emperor.
- Cane Fu: As a child, Rosalin would apparently use her canes as weapons, because she wasn't allowed a real sword.
- Cat Boy: Fenrir.
- Covered with Scars: Fenrir's back is scarred from years of abuse at the hands of slavers.
- Expressive Ears: Fenrir's cat ears move up and down to match his emotions.
- Foot-Dragging Divorcee: Rosalin is still legally married to Lord Lucian because he refuses to sign the divorce papers.
- From Stray to Pet: As a child, Rosalin rescued a sickly stray cat in order to impress her friend Nora.
- How We Got Here: The story starts with Rosalin and a fully grown Fenrir attending a ball as lovers, before rewinding to the day they first met.
- Little Bit Beastly: Anthromorphs. They typically have the identifying attributes of their respective animals, such as wings, ears, tails, etc, but otherwise look human.
- Lord Country: As a member of the royal family of the Apellodina Empire, Rosalin’s full name is Rosalin Idris Apelluden.
- Older Than They Look: Fenrir is part of a species of animorph that stays in adolescent form until they find a mate. When he first meets Rosalin he's around twenty-two years old, but still looks under ten.
- Overnight Age-Up: Once Fenrir realizes he's in love with Rosalin, his body rapidly matures to match his mental age.
- Slave Collar: Fenrir arrives at Rosalin's manor wearing one.
- Slave Race: Although they can be granted citizenship, the practice of enslaving anthromorphs is both legal and normalized in Apellodina.
- Superhuman Trafficking: Anthromorphs are frequently trafficked because of their strength, agility, and quick healing.
- Supernatural Gold Eyes: Fenrir has yellow eyes with slit pupils that signify he's a cat anthromorph.
- Sword Cane: While Rosalin is browsing for a new cane, the shopkeeper offers her one of these. She initially declines, but ends up taking it with her when Fenrir is almost abducted by slavers.
- Unusual Ears: Fenrir has a pair of black cat ears—at least before his sudden growth spurt.
- Unwanted Spouse: The king and queen forced Rosalin to marry Lord Lucian. As soon as they passed away she declared she wanted a divorce and kicked him out of her estate.
- We Named the Monkey "Jack": Rosalin names Fenrir after a stray cat she rescued as a child.
- Would Hurt a Child: In his introductory scene, Lord Lucian beats Fenrir with his cane for daring to look him in the eye. note
- You Are Number 6: While Fenrir was being trafficked, he was referred to as "Luke #6."
