Sandra really struck gold here, on so many levels. Seraphina might become the queen, but I feel like Sandra will be happier. We have seen she struggled to convince her own family of her prospects in business, even though she loves doing it. If she had married Orva, he wouldn't have cared one bit about it. Gerald, on the other hand, genuinely respects her efforts and wants to hear all about it. Not to mention, the Makerainen family runs the mine supplying gemstones, so Sandra will be sitting on top of what she loves, ready to refine it and sell it to the market. I'm not sure if she actually loves Gerald back, but she knows he loves and respects her, and won't get in the way of her business. Sandra looks up to how Seraphina handles noble duties and responsibilities, so she could actually live without love, but since she's more emotional than Seraphina, having a husband who loves her will still make her happier.
Genuinely loving this take on the villainess trope, this piece could be iconic & create a new form of villainese manga but a doubt any would be the same as this if the quality is maintained
This whole story is only possible after a whole bunch of typical villainess stories preceded it. Because the idea here seem to be to present a more realistic outcome, instead of what is seen in the stereotypical series. This is not parody, but in that respect this had the same requirements that parodies have. I reckon a few more of these could succeed, but too many of these would wear the idea down too much. There's only so many ways you can have things go if realism and rational behavior is observed. The typical villainess story progress can sustain much more because they aren't limited by trying to depict realistic behavior. Thus they can have all manner of quirky or twisted character, plenty of fantasy action, everything between the heaven and earth in general.