Exactly, a healthy slow burn with a path of healing. Becoming a family first before all else and learning about each other instead of automatically falling in love. Everyone assumes that he is going to fall in love on the spot..hehe... no. They are acting as he killed her in the first life or killed their daughter. He isn't the worst ML. Honestly, he is better than most because he decides to work out his problems to better himself and apologizes to them. He will open up and learn to be a better father and husband.
Spoiler...
I think it sweet that he is trying to make his daughter Emperor, so she doesn't have to suffer the way he and making sure she won't be pushed into an unwanted marriage like he was.
Same like at least he isn’t trying to force an arrange marriage for Blanche at least we know he does care for her he just doesn’t know how to because of the family he grew up in
Everybody in the comments keeps talking about there being no chemistry and the ml being cold. Y’all have to keep in mind that past mc was an abusive and bad mother, and also keep in mind that the ml ISNT gonna just automatically fall for mc and her new “warm aura” or whatever he called it. Personally I think the build up is going pretty good. My only complaints are the elders wanting kids, and not having a Blanche shopping montage </3