Lol you judged it even without knowing why the prince fell inlove with her in first timeline. I'll tell you why but this is a big spoiler
Fl was a candidate for the CP but the imperial favor more is the red haired girl who died because she fell for ML's knight. Jaques was killed by her aunt because what he did to ML is a betrayal and embarrasment to their family. ML knew this but he let his friend died because that's the right thing to do. Now only the FL is illegible as CP but the Emporer strongly disagree which is odd because he wanted ML to marry. So he found out that Emperor is hiding FL to make her the empress. He visited her and disguised himself as a mailman. FL thought he was there as Dou's messenger. He notice how she dearly loves her brother even though they were supossed to be a rival. He was delighted that FL see her believed in him because she entrusted Dou to him. The very person whom FL treasures the most. She shows her what love is. He knew also that what she did before is to make Dou's status stronger. He wanted that love as well that's why he fell for her. Same in the present time, he saw how FL cared for Dou. It
was the emperor who stole FL from him.
Well, yeah, I judged it because we're 47 chapters in, I think that's enough to form my opinion. Great that they provide some explanation for why he fell for her in the 1st timeline, but 99% of the issues that made me dislike the story still stand. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion! I was just super disappointed, because I let it marinate for long, and it didn't deliver what I hoped for
Well your reason for disliking is incorrect. The ML did not love her just because she rejected him. That's the only reason why he got curious. She is capable on managing her state which is important as a CP. In her previous life, she was able to take down a lot of houses for Dou and even manipulate the emporer.m. ML was aware of this btw, but he was blinded by his love and he knew that she's doing for her brother. Her love for her brother might be weird for some people but Dou's was mistreated and neglected by their father. It is only natural for the oldest to be the parent. ML is jealous of how she loves Dou - because she's ALL IN. Who would not want that?? Also, it was hinted that the reason why Dou was clueless about what she did for him were their father's doing. It is wrong for him to love his stepmom in their previous life but it is not weird since she did not raise him. The weird one was the emperor for marrying a girl half his age and a crown princess candidate who was originally his son's bride.
Sure, the king is absolutely vile and I won't dispute that, and I would probably have no issues with the complicated family ties or romantic reasoning of the characters, IF it was written well. Maybe the novel did it way better, but I'm describing my experiences as someone who read the comics only. Some things felt rushed, some forced or unnatural, maybe things were lost during the process of converting the novel into a different medium, but the characters felt flat for me, and I'm really sad it turned out that way. I hope things will get better along the story, but as of now, I don't vibe with it and that reason is enough
The only good thing about it is its art. First of all, the description is misleading. She wasn't betrayed, she acted batshit crazy 'supposedly' for her brother, but never consulting him in person about anything. No wonder he wanted nothing to do with her. Her love for her brother is a bit unhealthy, but I guess we can bat an eye for the sake of the plot (although even one of the characters criticises it as borderline incest). What I cannot skip is how the Prince (ML) is enamoured by her with 0 reasons (in 1st timeline he started crushing on her when she was HIS STEPMOM!! She literally had his father's child (a brother!!! To ml!! And he still wanted her 200% despite her only poisoning, humiliating and disrespecting him)). In the second timeline FL is also obsessed with her brother, but this time by paying attention to him directly (why wasn't she in 1st timeline?? She knew NOTHING about him but still claimed she does everything for him, and then was mad he didn't appreciate it??). Prince (ml, her former stepson) immediately falls in love with her because 'you were the only woman who rejected me' trope. If he wasn't a handsome ML we would all yell what a stalker and a creep he is, persistingly haunting FL who clearly and directly rejected him in every possible way known to man, but rofan logic demands you ignore his refusal to leave her alone and dote for them because??? Reasons?? The plot overall is dull
Anyway, not recommend, art is super pretty but that's about it