If you hate the ML and the direction of plot for good reasons like me:

I recommend the stories:

Doctor Elise
Survive as the hero's wife
The Pet Of the Villains
The Duchess with an empty soul (the two antagonists are unfortunately gay)
The Duchess' 50 Tea Recipes
The Monster Duchess and Contract Princess
IRIS - Lady with a Smartphone

I recommend these stories because the characters are better and more sweet.
And the MLs are more lovable than the one in "Abandoned Empress"!