This story is strong, rather than fluffy, and I love it. I love that this story doesn't romanticize the setting (late Feudalism) as so many novels do. You see the glamour and elegance of aristocracy, but in truth, it was an age for those born into wealthy titled families - but only the men. It's ironic that the age known for chivalry was in truth brutal to women, servants, serfs, and those born into the non-aristocratic classes.
Instead of focusing on the brave, handsome, heroic lords and knights with their faux chivalry, this story shows the strength of women, of a woman wronged, the power of watching someone who crumbled to nothing stand back up and become what she always could have been. This story is about true justice.
Consider who benefits from keeping other people suppressed, including women, people of color, ethnic and religious minorities. If someone is truly strong, they have nothing to fear of competition. It is small minded, insecure people who only pretend it's efficient to disregard people who aren't like them.