I don't think that he sees BNK as just a favorite lover because in the chapter 39 and 40, he talked about responsibility. In front of his sex partners, he stated that BNK was his and it was clear that he would never share him. Saying that he is just a favorite lover, it reminds me of Jihwa who said that BNK was just a new sex toy and at some point, Seungho would get bored. Furthermore, Seungho has never had a lover because this would mean, he loved the person. He only had just sex partners and Jihwa wanted to become his lover but failed.
Since he affected BNK (his blushing and erection aso), he declared that he needed to take his responsibility. The fact that he put a red dot on BNK's forehead proves to me after using these words that he does see BNK as his "wife". But the major problem is that Seungho misunderstands BNK as much as the latter misunderstands the lord. The blushing is merely due to his embarrassment, the erection in an earlier chapter is mostly caused by the replenishing medicine. Yet there is no deny that BNK feels attracted to Seungho (he had a wet dream in the chapter 6). However, what the painter fails to realize that all this time Seungho has wanted to get his affection and attention, while BNK thinks that Seungho is just obsessed with sex and his paintings.
On the other hand, I agree with your good observation about Seungho and Na-Kyum being at different sides but both are not entirely wrong. Seungho needs to make it clearer that the sex and the paintings are what he is actually after and the painter realized that he expected love from the teacher and he wasn't entirely selfless. So the painful words made BNK realize that he would never get anything from In Hun and the latter never saw him as something lovable from the start.
Since Seungho answered to BNK about the content of the post, it is a clue that Seungho could decide to teach him reading and writing. In Hun never wanted BNK to become an educated person, so if Seungho does it, then BNK will realize that his former idol never cared at all for him and never intended to teach him properly.
I typed too quickly hence I have to correct it.
Seungho needs to make it clearer that the sex and the paintings are not what he is actually after and the painter realized that he expected love from the teacher and he wasn't entirely selfless.
Things to love about this chapter ... (especially if you like both Seungho x Nakyum prospects):
- Nakyum is about to banter with Seungho again outside the store but then thinks twice because he knows it's a losing battle, lol.
- Seungho is dismissive at first of Nakyum wanting to read the post but as soon as he sees Nakyum going to ask somebody else for help, Seungho is right behind reading for him.
- His jealousy as soon as he links the post to Inhun and how the reads Nakyum so well.
- Seungho is this evil master in his life but he is also in many ways the person who makes Nakyum confronts things he doesn't want to admit. The main thing is of course his sexual desires for men, even for the devil himself, however this scene is Seungho confronting Nakyum on what exactly he expects from Inhun if his teacher gets all the power he wants.
The scene is interesting for both of them because they are in the opposite extremes of what they believe but none of them is completely right nor completely wrong. They are both learning from the other and meeting in the middle. Seungho from entitled to selfless, Nakyum from not giving himself value or expect nothing to demanding what he is worth.
Seungho is already in love with his lowborn but he doesn't fully realize what this means. Nakyum's escape, his sickness, all that must have shook Seungho and he knows he wants to keep Nakyum around but he still probably associates with nothing but having a favorite lover that he wants to fuck. There hasn't been an event where he really chooses to give Nakyum something without asking nothing in return. So when he says he doesn't understand or believe Nakyum can adore the teacher and sacrifice for him and not want nothing in return, he really believes this is not possible because he never felt genuine selfless love before and even if he feels now, there hasn't been really a moment that he needed to admit that.
Nakyum saying that he only wants to do something to Inhun and he will be happy seems foolish to Seungho now. (it won't be soon enough if this story goes as it looks with the romantic redemption for them). However, we see Nakyum pondering Seungho's words too... because both of them are right and while Seungho arc will probably be about being tamed into loving Nakyum enough to letting him go if he wants but what Seungho says is also true... Nakyum knows that even if he denies it, he does expect something back from Inhun. No one wants an unrequited love. Even if we sacrifice for someone out of love, it's instinctive to expect to be loved back or cherished. Nakyum wants to be loved and be together so it's not true that he only wants to watch Inhun from afar and have nothing in return. So Seungho's words prompted him to admit that.
The result was painful but can we for now enjoy Nakyum's development in the sense that he knew he expected something from Inhun and got the courage to ask? He even confessed -- sad that it was wasted on that trash but he did it and that was a big step.
Not gonna talk about Inhun because enough has been said of the snake. I'm hoping Seungho goes after an explanation, no sword, just his death stare and I want to see Inhun putting his tail between his legs and pissing himself.