Responses
At the end of story, Maria chose to let go of her noble status and became commoner again. She felt nobility didn’t suit her. She planned to go back to her hometown but since her mother’s dead she wondered if there’s a point to go back there. Bianca offered her a job to teach children at orphanage and she agreed.

I remember a bit of this novel. It’s very memorable to me because Bianca ended up being infertile. Thus Asel’s ship sunk to the deep sea because crown prince will not be allowed to marry a lady who incapable to conceive.
Ricardo on the other hand didn’t care and proposed to Bianca again even though they couldn’t have their own children. If his parents didn’t accept Bianca because of her infertility, then he’s ready to step down as heir to his younger brother.
That’s why I’m grudgingly okay with Ricardo as ML (● ̄(エ) ̄●)