The Elegant Courtly Life Of The Tea Witch Vol 2 Review

 

Writer: Ameko Kaeruda

Artist: Yorifuji

Translators: Motoko Tamamuro & Jonathan Clements

Letterer: Tom Williams

Publisher: Titan Manga

Price: $12.99

Release Date: April 8, 2025

 

Remy Pullis and Princess Stella Mira Estasio are on a date. The King’s young daughter talked the Tea Witch into this treat, and she revels in her first day outside the palace walls. As Stella wanders among the stores and vendors’ stalls, Remy tries to keep up with the girl. But the Princess is indefatigable, and she brings happiness wherever she goes. Is Remy right to be worried about the Princess’ safety? Why would anyone in town want to harm Stella? Let's brew some tea, leap into The Elegant Courtly Life Of The Tea Witch Vol 2, and find out!

 

Story

The war is over, but people have long memories. And for every winner, the war has created plenty of losers. Remy knows this well. She has already helped her friend Alicia protect the palace grounds against magical intrusion. Now, amid the friendly townspeople who benefit from the proximity to Shtora Castle, Remy sees danger everywhere. So, the Tea Witch steers Princess Stella toward Misha's magical bookshop.

 

Unlike Remy, Misha didn’t opt for life in the palace after the war. But like her, he was one of its heroes. Now, he seems content surrounded by his beloved books. Still, Misha worries about the future of Shtora in The Elegant Courtly Life Of The Tea Witch Vol 2. He has heard reports of court mages buying banned books about the magic weaponry used in the war. Misha runs the best bookshop in town. So why aren’t they coming to him?

 

 

 

When they return to the palace, Remy decides to be more proactive. The Tea Witch cannot bear the idea of anything happening to Princess Stella. She mixes more with the ministers, clerks, and mages at court, which grabs people's attention. But it allows her to hear the royal gossip.

 

In The Elegant Courtly Life Of The Tea Witch Vol 2, Remy fears for Princess Stella's future. The King is in poor health and wishes his daughter to wed a strong suitor. Balian Mella Durendal, the Mage of Flames Effulgent, has made no secret of his ambitions. The master of fire magic plans to make Princess Stella his child bride. This political marriage is more about securing Shtora’s future than Princess Stella’s happiness. So, in Ameko Kaeruda’s story, Remy Pullis vows to do everything she can to protect Stella from being trapped in a loveless marriage. Or worse, become Balian's tool to accomplish his ambitious plans.

 

 

 

Art

Yorifuji shows Princess Stella’s adoration as she explains what first drew her to Remy. The Tea Witch lays out an array of appetizing foods on a tower overlooking the town. Yet she blurs when she senses danger. Then Remy grabs her teapot and aims it in the direction she senses danger from.

 

The art in The Elegant Courtly Life Of The Tea Witch Vol 2 portrays the sedate and regal attire of the court officials, Misha's contentment amid his impressive collection of books, and Remy surprising everyone as she walks toward the Council chambers for the daily Mages assembly. The glamorous scenes often shift to caricatures as Princess Stella, Remy Pullis, and others express the intense emotions associated with friendships, achieving their goals, and political struggles.  

 

 

 

Tom Williams casts large uppercase letters into dialogue balloons, narrative boxes, or unadorned backgrounds. He conjures balloons into different shapes to suggest emotions and tense situations. The characters' dialogue and thoughts enlarge but never shrink.

 

Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements' translated sound effects help us hear Misha's excitement at Remy's arrival, the royal guards collapse, and the background chatter as Remy disturbs Council proceedings. The translators help us feel Remy’s magic blasting on the battlefield amid a glimpse into her past. Thanks to Titan Manga for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Princess Stella is too young to understand the love that binds two people together in happiness for life. Yet even as the Princess adores the court mage who serves her tea each morning, she prepares to make a noble sacrifice. In The Elegant Courtly Life Of The Tea Witch Vol 2, Remy Pullis decides to return her young friend's affection. But to do so, the Tea Witch must engage in the dangerous world of politics. Protecting Stella could cost Remy and her friends everything.

 

Rating 9.8/10