It's simple really. How they get embarrassed. No smug ML, no squealing MC. If it's embarrassing, they shrink into themselves and I find the reaction realistic. He's so patient with her and, honestly, if he wasn't interested (friendship or more) he wouldn't have bothered and I think it's sweet of him to keep doing stuff she wants. In the end, he seems to enjoy himself too which is also nice. They're cute.
This is starting to be one of my favorites and we're only at ch 21. It's so refreshing to have an actual intelligent MC that doesn't scream cliche. Not to mention that young princess. She's smart too. It's one thing to know she's doing what she's doing with the empress dowager because MC told her to do it. It's another thing to take note about the lack of true care the empress dowager showed during the encounter. The princess knows she's doing this for survival and her trust in the MC is starting out to be her saving grace.
From the spoilers I've read from NU, MC is no damsel in distress. She has actual brains to maneuver herself given her circumstances. I'm so glad this has a manhwa. I still hope the novel somehow gets translated too.










UPDATE!!!! AAJAKDHSKZIABDJXO