
I think it has things to do with the fact that she is very different from those around him. She doesn't care for most things and that includes his status. He is just who he is as a person.. but that's just my speculation. The representation of her mental state is honestly what keeps me wanting to read.

i don’t think there has to be a reason. yk sometimes you like ppl without a reason. i think since everyone is so careful around him he likes how blunt she is. he also sees her current mental state and is trying his best to help her get through it without exactly knowing what to do. i don’t necessarily think he’s in love
I really like this story and ho mc is represented so relatable and real. As well her condition is so understandable. I like how ppl try to lift her mood and will for life. However...the way how emperor started loving without reasonable case....is reaaaallyyy strange. Like...he is emperor.....and he fall in love just because one person from depression is stsrting to do smth??? Is she beautiful? Is she willful? Has she any charms? Is she amusing? I would have accepted fully this manga and would have said it is the most realistic manga if the emperor THEN, after her work and change from her pathetic state, seeing her growth after long time started loving her. But now...i again just start to feel as if he is the puppet of the system, while heroine IS now BECOMING a puppet of the system. Just how i feel