oh I agree with your first part, but no I think he's a better ML than the Crown prince. I mean oh she's you maid and she serves you hand in foot, and she plays music for you to relax to and all that geez of course you like her, give me a break! Friendship is a better place to start a relationship than being someone's servant.
I suppose that’s true, but I’ve read numerous romance stories between someone who’s a servant (Emma comes to mind) that can be well done. I just like Real since he’s clearly a person who tries to be good, even though they are in a position in life where they have to make the tough and sometimes horrible decisions.
I'm not saying he's a bad guy, waaay better than some other MLs in other mangas sure thing. It's just a bit thin to be falling in love for someone that miraculously happens to be an expert in whatever you need at the time you need it, and oh goodness she's gonna end up being exactly the princess he needs to marry to achieve the best peace possible. It's telling that she's still afraid of him, he hasn't done anything to win her affection, while for him to choose her it's a no brainer.
Yeah I really like Rael as well. The novel actually depicts him as kind and genuine. He just has no other choice but to put up a front (and a mask) in order to fulfill his goals.
See, I really like Kiel, I liked him before I even liked the Crown Prince; but I really only see their interactions as friendship.
I actually really like that I only see their relationship as platonic, because platonic friendships are amazing and should be valued just as much, if not more than romantic relationships. In a lot of romance stories like this you have the male romantic lead, the female romantic lead, and maybe a wildcard third romantic side character, but very rarely do we actually get to see just healthy and strong friendships with our main character.
I kinda shipped them at first, but now I just really love their friendship and I hope the author doesn’t delegate him to the Unfortunate Second Male Lead role, but keeps him as a cherished friend.