i def think he was in love with her, and i think frieren loved him too, but as an elf who has lived for centuries, this realization was obviously too late since human lives are much shorter. i think himmel also realized that she would never realize or even fully understand the love until it was past him, so he just made as many memories and made sure she felt love at the foundation of their relationship so she would change even when he was gone ┗( T﹏T )┛
I think Frieren did have feelings for Himmel too! It's kinda obvious now lol. It's just that y'know our mc is clumsy, and it takes her for a long time to realize her true feelings. Gotta love the sprinkle of romance. Himmel was such a rad dude, he still continued to love her. Hope they get together in the end, but since this manga is the bittersweet kind, I won't be expecting much.
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ANYONE WHO HASNT READ IT YET
Did himmel love frieren? Like she cares about his opinions and remembers them even after he passes and I'm on chapter 30 where she loses the ring he bought her and in the flashbavk he has this LOOK on his face when she picks the ring and even goes down on ONE KNEEE to put it on her. Then we learn that the flower on it or whatever means ETERNAL LOVE and it just feels so freakin SAD if it's true ╥﹏╥