
My point of view:
1-She's drowning.
2-I don't remember her ever being physically strong.
3-I think not managing to surface all on her own, when she's wearing a heavy dress that's definitely going to be heavier drenched in water, is pretty normal not weak.
4-We don't even know if she'd know how to swim, with her childhood and her being a noble to start with.
5-Her having a trauma trigger response from her father lunging at her isn't "for the ml". I think it's called PTSD.
I don't see that as them weakening her so the ml can seem heroic or as a "she's a weak woman so he'll swoop in" situation.
She's in a perilous situation and in need of help. Needing help does not invalidate your core strength and character. (A lesson I'm teaching myself too).
Plus it's not healthy to systematically see help from men as an offence to womanly independance.
I've shared, I will, now, wish you a nice day/evening.
ml to the rescue.......