Historical Romance Manhwa – 50+ royalty recommendations

Would you like some tea, Mylord? And for the lady maybe a tartlet? Of course – coming right up: My 20 favorite historical Romance Manhwa with royalty. And many many more recommendations or inspirations for you to check out.

Best historical Romance Manhwa: Top 1 – 10

1.Princess imprints a traitor

Summary: Evenrose and Michael are the protagonists in this story. They both live in different worlds: He is a homunculus, a race that is only used for slavery and manual labor in the kingdom. She on the other hand is a princess in the royal palace. In order to abandon slavery and change the system, she tries to gain her father’s favor and be his successor. This Manhwa is a time-reversal story and is one of the few who actually explain why time was reversed. I love it.

You should check it out if you:

• like it when the male lead has to protect the female lead (master-bodyguard relationship)
• love reading about a female lead that is really kind and has a huge goal: abandoning slavery
• like it when the male lead is pretty distrusting at first but quickly becomes fond of the female lead

2. I shall master this family

Summary: After the death of Firentias grandfather the great Lombardi family fell into ruin at the hands of her cousins. Firentia had to watch all of it and couldn’t interfere. While getting drunk out of frustration she got hit by a carriage and woke up as her seven-year-old self. She uses her chance to become the next head of the family and protect the Lombardi legacy.

You should check this historical Romance Manhwa out if you:

• like seeing adults being startled by a little girl
• love reading a royalty Manhwa about the most lovable Manhwa-Dad in history
• like reading a perfect story with perfect art (yes I’m fangirling for this one)

3. I married the Male Lead’s Dad

Summary: Before the female lead Aisha reincarnated into her favorite novel “Persona” she was a huge fan of Abel, the main character. After she started her life in the novel she took her stanning to a new level and send him gifts. One day Abels Dad summons her because he gets a hold of her actions. But there is a misunderstanding: He thinks Aisha is fangirling for him. That’s how their relationship starts. Read this Manhwa on Tapas.

The summary sounds kind of wack, I know, but please don’t hesitate and read this masterpiece.

You should check it out if you:

• (like when the male lead has boobs – I’m kidding his chest is just drawn a bit weirdly)
• love reading a historical Romance Manhwa with a smart female lead that actually thinks logically
• like reading a great and refreshing plot with a pretty dark side
• love it when the male lead falls in love first (he is a great ml – in my top 5 for sure)

4. How to protect the female leads older Brother

Summary: Roxana is part of a villainous family of assassins: the Agriches. After reincarnating she knows the course of the 18+ novel and tries to prevent her own death by saving the life of Cassis Pedelian – the heroine’s brother. It’s pretty risky because she has to pretend to torture him in front of her family. Want to read more villainous-Manhwa where the villainess is actually a villainess? Check out this list: Villainess Manwa.

You should check this Royalty Manhwa out if you:

• want to read a historical Romance Manhwa with godlike art
• don’t mind a story with psychotic characters and mild gore (I love the characters, it’s refreshing)
• like to see love blossom in a toxic environment

5. Villain’s are Destined to Die

Summary: After playing an otome game the female lead got warped into the game itself and has to live as the villainess Penelope Eckhart. The problem is: the game is on hard mode. So she is afraid to die from every little mistake she makes. Her only indication of how she is doing is the affection bar on top of the male love interests.

• don’t mind when everyone treats the female lead very poorly in the beginning
• love to read a historical Romance Manhwa with really gorgeous art (I know, I’m kind of repeating myself)
• like it when you don’t really know who the male lead is

6. I stan the prince

Summary: Angela is a huge fan of Prince Rayburn – she even wrote fanfic for him. To her surprise, the cringey fanfic she wrote got published behind her back and became a huge success. When the imperial family notices the fanfic they are searching for the author and want her head for treason. Rayburn’s sister Hoya takes her in to protect her and in exchange, she has to write a sequel of her novel in secret to improve Rayburn’s reputation. To inspire her she spends more time with Rayburn. The story is intriguing. It’s not the typical Isekai, gorgeous duke storyline – she didn’t go back in time and she didn’t reincarnate.

You should read if you:

• like it when you aren’t quite sure who the villain is supposed to be in the story
• want to read a story with a very quirky and hilarious female lead
• love reading a historical Romance Manhwa with beautiful art – just look at the picture

7. Flirting with the villains’ Dad

Summary: Bus-kun strikes and the female lead finds herself in the body of Princess Yerenica, a character in the novel “Brisney wants to be happy”. But the twist is: She reincarnated 20 years before the story of the novel starts. Because she knows exactly how the story is going to unfold, she tries to seduce the villain’s father, before the villain is even born.

You should check this historical Romance Manhwa out if you:

• Like reading a story about a bubbly and quirky female lead
• Love having a female lead that actively tries to change the story
• Don’t mind when the male lead is pretty cold in the beginning – although they touch very often

8. Beware The Villainess

Summary: The female lead reincarnates as the villainess Melissa Foddebrat. She is the daughter of a duke and made many enemies in the past and was pretty clingy. Melissa’s plan is not to turn into a reformed saint but teach all the idiotic male characters a lesson. And she does so pretty ruthlessly.

You should check it out if you:

• like to read a Manhwa with a badass female lead – who openly communicates
• are in need of new Memes
• love reading a historical Romance Manhwa where the female lead is kind to her friends but crushes her opponents

9. My gently raised beast

Summary: This is not an Isekai or a time-reversal Manhwa, which makes it pretty special in itself. After growing up poor, Blondina gets taken into the palace, because she is the forgotten princess of the Ates empire. As you would expect she doesn’t get welcomed with open arms and her so-called family is treating her pretty poorly. One day she meets Amon – a member of the divine leopard clan – who can change into a human. They quickly become close. Read more: Best Webtoons 2021.

Historical Romance Manhwa – You should read if you:

• love reading a Manhwa with a possessive male lead
• like reading about a female lead that stands up for herself
• love seeing beautifully drawn cats getting pet and cuddled all the time

10. Carrier Falcon Princess

Summary: This Manhwas female lead is Zelle. She is the eighth royal princess of Roymonde, who was kidnapped by the enemy. After passing out in a life-threatening situation she wakes up as a bird. Yes a bird. Because she likes to be useful to her country she becomes the messenger bird of Commander Valhayle and they form a quite unique bond.

You should read this Royalty Manhwa if you:

• like reading a refreshing and unique story
• don’t mind when the male lead is strangely drawn to a bird (how this story still manages to set up tension and a bond between the mcs is hilarious)
• love reading a Manhwa with an ongoing war and a mysterious plot

Historical Romance Manhwa – Top 11 – 20

11. I Am the Real One

Summary: Keira lived her life as a noble daughter while doing what she believed was right. Although her father was always cold she did everything that was expected of her in order to become a water elementalist. As a prophecy foretold there can only be one elementalist born in the realm and when Cosette appears and shows her powers everyone suspects that Keira is a fraud. She gets executed in the end but travels back in time. With her second chance, she is determined to change her life.

You should check it out if you:

• don’t mind not knowing who the male lead is supposed to be
• like it when the female lead is extremely awkward in social situations
• love seeing the female lead slowly change and work to open up

12. The villainess lives again

Summary: Artezia Rosan is a master manipulator and she uses her skills in order to help her brother sit on the throne. After he didn’t need her anymore, he stabbed her in the back and she got imprisoned for all of her crimes. Even when her legs and arms got cut off she managed to draw a magic circle to go back in time. This time she uses her skills to help Cedric Ebron on the throne – a man she truly admires.

You should check it out if you:

• like seeing the female lead deal with her toxic family
• don’t mind when the female lead is pretty self-destructive
• love reading a story with a very righteous and caring male lead

13. Father, I don’t want this marriage

Summary: If you like misunderstandings, this story is for you. Juvelian is supposed to be a villainess – although it isn’t really shown what she did wrong. She is scared of her father and feels neglected. In the first chapter, she dies a tragic death – no one helped her, not even her lover or her father. So after going back in time she breaks up with her lover and tries to win her father’s love. The thing is: her father is actually pretty protective, they are all just bad at communicating. In order to keep herself from being married off she forms a dating contract with her father’s student.

You should check this Royalty Manhwa out if you:

• like it when the male lead falls in love first and is pretty shy and possessive
• don’t mind a misunderstanding-inception and the lack of proper communication (it is pretty hilarious for now – but I hope it won’t get dragged out too much)
• love reading a story with a VERY misunderstood father

14. It’s time to change the Genre

Summary: The female lead reincarnated into her favorite revenge novel “The owner of the winter forest” as the villainous aunt Eudith, who has to care for the novel’s male lead Luka. After she woke up she started treating Luka well and he starts getting attached to her. When his uncle Rudiger shows up to take him away, Luka refuses to part with Eudith – and so the original story has changed and she moves to Winterwald.

You should check it out if you:

• like reading a story with great dialogue
• love it when the female lead uses her brain
• don’t mind when the mcs don’t talk about their feelings

15. The lady and the beast

Summary: After a life of bloodshed and heartbreak Empress Martina gets reborn as Astina, a daughter of a count. After her family faces bankruptcy she has to marry Archduke Atalenta who is known as “Terriod the Beast” because of a curse that turns him into a wolf. But Astina isn’t intimidated at all and deals with the situation. The art is pretty unique – just like in these recommendations.

You should read this Royalty Manhwa if you:

• don’t mind a very cold and collected female lead ( she is unfair to the male lead sometimes)
• love reading a story with a badass female lead
• like it when the male lead is the bashful and “needy” one in the relationship

16. I’m a Stepmother but my Daughter is just too cute

Summary: This Manhwa uses some story elements of Snow White and tells the story in a unique way. There is the evil stepmother (Abigail), the mirror on the wall, and the mistreated daughter (Blanche. After reincarnating Abigail doesn’t want to keep being the evil stepmother. She is still completely obsessed with Blanche, but only because of her cuteness. She calls out everyone in the castle who mistreats her – including her father. Blanche and even the King slowly start to open up to her.

You should check this Royalty Manhwa out if you:

• like it when the female lead intimidates everyone with her scary face
• love it when the former villainess gest everyone to like and respect her
• don’t mind when the male lead is cold (but he has his reasons which are pretty heavy)

17. Under the Oak tree

Summary: Maximilian got abused by her father all her life and developed a stutter. She is forced to marry the unknown knight Riftan. After their first night, he disappears on a mission for three years and becomes the most famous knight on the continent. Even after three years he still is obsessed over Maximilian – but she can’t quite deal with being treated well.

You should read if you:

• don’t mind mild sexual content (this has a smut tag)
• like reading a Manhwa with a realistic approach to trauma (finally a female lead who doesn’t just shake it off after being abused – I really like that)
• love it when the couple is together from the beginning (if you want to understand Riftans feelings, there is a novel from his POV)

18. For Better or For Worse

Summary: The female lead reincarnated as Lady Dillion, the villain of a novel (although she doesn’t really do much). In the original plot, her sister dies after marrying Marquess Cedric, that’s why she doesn’t like him. In order to protect her sister, she just marries him herself – although she knows he is meant to fall in love with the female lead of the original story. I love the dynamic of the Mcs.

You should read this Royalty Manhwa if you:

• love it when the MCs bicker and tease each other a lot
• like it when the characters have pretty surprising character traits (the stepmother, the sister and so on)
• love reading a story where love develops from animosity

19. What’s wrong with you duke?

Summary: This story is about Erin and Rowan – oh wait, let me French this up: This story is about Dreux and Nöel ( I’ll explain this one down below) and their complicated love story. They start off pretty rough: As Dreux tries to kill her a magic spell gets activated which forces him to completely change and declare his love for Nöel. He is so persistent that Nöel marries him but the thing is: his lovely personality “Ru” isn’t like that all the time – there are moments when he can be his usual self and Nöel has to deal with death threats.

Addressing some issues: This one is already finished and there were some critics in the community, so I will write a short review. First of all the comment section on tapas was on fire after the first chapter came out because no one understood why they named them Dreux and Nöel. I don’t like the names either, Erin and Rowan feels way more natural (these are the names from the fan translations) but you eventually get used to it. There were also many readers who didn’t like the ending.

I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil you but it is pretty tragic. I still think it was executed pretty well, there was a plot twist and the story didn’t play out as you would expect from a lighthearted Romance Manhwa. Nevertheless, it is not really the end. There is an epilogue that further shows their relationship and I love that their dynamic completely changes: Now Dreux is the one who chases after Nöel as his real self. Despite the negative comments I still love this Manhwa. The art is great, the female lead is hilarious and I have never seen a dynamic like that between the mcs in a Romance. So I would recommend you check it out if you want to read something funny but sad and refreshing at the same time.

You should read if you:

• don’t mind a very rough start between the mcs
• like it when the male lead has two kinds of personalities – and the lovey-dovey one is completely over the top
• love reading a Manhwa with gorgeous art and a unique plot

20. Beatrice

Summary and Review: This one does have some issues, that’s why I will review it, so you know if this one is for you. Alexandro is pretty indifferent to life. He doesn’t mind killing to reach his goals and he is ruthless (especially in the beginning). He lets the female lead Beatrice live and in order not to be killed she disguises herself as a slave under the name “Chloe”. She gets assigned as Alexandros (the Archduke) personal maid and he takes more and more interest in her. Although the male lead is an asshole I still think it’s somehow historically accurate. Often in Manhwas they are titled as war heroes and such but are never shown in action or just have a lovely personality.

Addressing some issues: Alexandro hates people but he hates himself and his past the most. He often thinks about how he would have turned out without abuse in his childhood. That doesn’t mean it excuses his actions but it does make it believable. Chloe on the other hand is very kind, satisfied with the little things, and very bubbly. The author only threw in the Isekai part in order for her to have knowledge of plants, which was pretty unnecessary in my opinion. Chloe didn’t have much character development so far and I think it will stay that way (which is a pity). I really debated whether I should put this in the TOP 20, but although there are some issues I still enjoyed it. The story is engaging, there are hilarious misunderstandings and the Archduke does get character development.

Royalty Manhwa – You should read if you:

• don’t mind the Archduke being a ruthless murderer at the beginning and basically an asshole (but maybe that’s exactly your cup of tea?)
• don’t mind when the female lead doesn’t really have a goal of her own – other than surviving
• like having lot’s of panels with fanservice (abs – abs everywhere)

Royalty – some additional historical Romance Manhwa recommendations

I stole the male-leads first night

Super Short Review: The female lead gets drunk and sleeps with the male lead – who is not supposed to end up with her. She tries with all her might to get rid of him but comes around eventually.

You will get: pretty questionable actions from the fl, a hilarious fl, a persistent ml

The Reason Why Realiana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion

Super Short Review: I know this should be on the list – it’s great. I just didn’t keep up with the story at some point, because it was moving too slow for a weekly update. Nevertheless, go read it.

You will get: slow romance, evil antagonist, nice mysterious subplot

When the Villainess is in Love (very popular historical Romance Manhwa)

Super Short Review: This one is a Reverse Harem. The former villainess tries to save everyone from their death and fangirls heavily while being at it.

You will get: Gorgeous art, a smart and hilarious female lead, many male love interests

The villainess is a marionette (very popular historical Romance Manhwa)

Super Short Review: In her first life she died pitifully because she was being used by her brother. After going back in time she changes their dynamic and uses him instead.

You will get: Godlike art, a scheming female lead, much royal power play

The taming of the tyrant

Super Short Review: After taming the tyrant the female lead runs away. The male lead won’t have that though and chases her down.

You will get: a needy male lead, a badass female lead who can fight, magic and fairies

The lady I served became a Master

Super Short Review: The female lead got reincarnated but only read half of the book – so she doesn’t know that the male lead has to disguise himself as a woman.

You will get: a possessive male lead, a clueless but strong female lead, an interesting dynamic between the mcs

The Villainess Turns the Hourglass

Super Short Review: The female lead has the ability to turn back time. She is one of the few “villainesses” that doesn’t reform herself after reincarnating but truly lives for revenge.

You will get: a ruthless female lead, a very annoying antagonist, satisfaction out of seeing the fl get revenge

I Fell into a Reverse Harem Game!

Super Short Review: The female lead was a ruthless princess who used everyone around her. Now she has to outsmart her enemy.

You will get: many love interests, an interesting plot point: the fl sees what the antagonist is doing, abs

I was tricked into this fake marriage

Super Short Review: The fl approaches the ml to get him to help her find a good partner for a fake marriage. It so happens that she will choose him.

You will get: the most cock-blocks in Manhwa-history, godly beings as the mcs, many lovey-dovey scenes after about 50 chapters

50 tea recipes from the duchess

Super Short Review: After reincarnating the female lead slowly takes charge of her life – with tea. Headache? Tea. Deadly disease? Tea. Political chaos? Tea. – that’s the summary.

You will get: tea recipes, a sweet couple with many cute moments, a cold ml who is only kind to the fl

A Common Story of a Lady’s New Life

Super Short Review: Everything in this Manhwa is a misunderstanding. The female lead is terrified of the male lead at first and interprets his action very strangely.

You will get: very unique art, a clumsy ml, LOTs of misunderstandings

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp

Super Short Review: After reincarnating the female lead takes her knowledge as a former doctor to good use and revolutionizes medicine in her world.

You will get: a strong fl, many panels about medicine, a tsundere fl

A Villainess for the Tyrant

Super Short Review: The female lead has to marry the emperor who is supposed to be a tyrant. It just so happens that he immediately likes her.

You will get: a VERY fast-paced romance, a sweet fl who has to play rough, a pretty ruthless ml

I’ll marry Him

Super Short Review: The emperor can’t sleep and the female lead comes to the rescue: She has an ability that can put anyone to sleep.

You will get: an ml who is dependent on the fl, an fl who falls in love first, a pretty confident but dense fl

Just leave me be

Super Short Review: Both the female lead and the male lead are being tortured by their families. They try to change their fate together.

You will get: a smart fl who has a special ability, a very caring ml, horrible antagonists

The Antagonist’s Pet

Super Short Review: The female lead pities the villainess of the story and starts supporting her.

You will get: women power, a very submissive fl, a very pragmatic and smart ml

The Great Wish

Super Short Review: The female lead has visions of her own future and she tries to put that to good use.

You will get: a mature dynamic between the mcs, court intrigue, a very dedicated ml

Hopeless Desire of a Witch

Super Short Review: The male lead tries to find the culprit for his trauma and the female lead happens to need his services.

You will get: lots of angst, complex feelings, and a complicated dynamic between the mcs

You have read all of the above? Here are more historical Romance Manhwa with royalty

If you are a Manhwa reading machine – like I am – and you know all of the above. Here is my last resort of historical Romance Manhwa recommendations:

• A Stepmother’s Märchen
• Crown of the deep Green
• I Dream of Health, Wealth, and a Long Life
• Lady Evony
• Lady Chef Royale
• I Woke Up as the Ugly Duckling
• A royal princess with black hair
• My Fair Footman
• Empress? Empress!
• Ginger and the Cursed prince
• Empress of Another World
• Adelaide

I only checked out the beginning of these, so I can’t provide you with a proper review. But all of them are pretty popular on tapas or tappytoon. If you are not sure: Definitely check out the first two. They are supposed to be really good and very high on my reading list.

Popular Royalty Manhwa – Should you read them?

I have read all of these and they are entertaining, so you won’t get bored reading these historical Romance Manhwa. But there are some issues I have with these five popular Manhwas.

A Tender Heart: The Story of How I Became a Duke’s Maid

I loved the start, I really did. BUT – and it’s a really big but(ts and I cannot lie) –  the female lead is waaay too hung up on the original story. She is not the brightest bulb and keeps on insisting he has to meet the original female lead – although she already changed everything. It got so frustrating to the point that I couldn’t take it anymore. And after she finally came around there’s the very annoying crown prince who keeps pestering her and fell for her for no reason.

What it takes to be a villainess

This one is a fun read, I don’t have anything against it. But after a certain point, I found myself skimming the story. The male lead has a really horrible start and even after his behavior is explained it doesn’t really feel convincing. The Manhwa is entertaining but in my opinion, it’s kind of shallow – there is no emphasis on feelings.

Daisy: How to become the Duke’s Fiancé

Daisy is a great female lead and this Comic is a fun read. I just found that the pacing is a bit off. There are about 5 chapters dedicated to her convincing the duke to marry her and then a bit later we get about 15 chapters focusing on a designer that the fl wants to recruit – which feels like a side story.

This villainess wants a divorce

This one is a great read if you don’t mind a pretty frustrating female lead. She literally forces herself not to have feelings and as a reader, you can’t really understand why. It does get better though, so if you are willing to read through the middle part pretty fast, it will still entertain you.

The Abandoned Empress

I’m pretty sad about this one. I loved Abandoned Empress and I wouldn’t have cared with whom she ends up with, because it is an interesting story. But apparently, there were some hardcore fans who were sending threats to the author, and additionally, the author had a dispute with the artist, so the story just got wrapped up pretty heartlessly. I can’t recommend this story to anyone if you don’t want to get really disappointed at the end.

Royalty Manhwa with very little to no Romance but much politics and intrigue

I have read all of these Royalty Manhwa and they are freaking amazing. I really recommend you check them out. Especially Lout of Counts Family is interesting because it is one of the few royalty Manhwa from a male’s perspective.

• The Remarried Empress
• Your Throne
• Lout of Counts Family
• The Monstrous Duke’s Adopted Daughter
• Who Made Me a Princess