I don't think she's leading him on at all? He seems to be the one always initiating everything and he is her friend. He's the only one who has been nice to her so that's why she is nice to him but I don't see that she's done anything romantically to make him think she likes him back.
yeah she dense as fuck
I think it’s more that she’s letting it happen rather than initiating anything. Sometimes it’s important to draw boundaries so that people prevent getting hurt, or at least show in some way to stop them from continuing with body language. If he confesses clearly and she politely declines and it ends there cleanly, that would be smooth too.
I'm thinking it's culture there. It's totally OK for them to date if the prince permits even though she'll be we'd to the Prince. I was honestly shocked to this day lol
PREACH
I think it's a bit annoying because she obviously notices there's chemistry with the ml but hasn't acknowledged her feelings yet and she is leading on the 2nd ml. 2nd ml's actions alone are enough to see that he likes her. She has been in a relationship before so she isnt ignorant of feelings.. She has chemistry with the ml and she is there to be his possible wife so being that chummy with his brother like that just looks a bit wrong/misleading.
I didn't forget how the ml was to her, I'm just expressing that I don't think she is being good to the 2nd ml by leading him on that way..she hasn't put boundaries between them, etc