I'm expecting it was an act, that he was under duress. He told the knights to get her, but I think he meant to protect her. It's just a feeling I got. I'm not sure what context would force him to pretend to be *that* despicable to her though...
Could also be exactly what it looks like and he really was just an asshole, maybe he got attracted to her dangerous side that killed someone in cold blood?
The first part was plausible if he hadn’t killed her favorite maid. And even if it was an act and he didn’t kill her maid, she still would’ve been miserable without her parents. So if he truly loved her, he would’ve focused on protecting her parents as well.
Seeing as how his expression was before she passed away, i can absolutely assume is some type of mind manipulation. If he was somehow brainwashed or manipulated through a spell it can explained the things he did to FL and his family and once the mistress died the brainwashing went away?. This sounds plausible.
Don’t tell me he’s only got feelings for her as she was about to kill herself