
I actually like their friendship (well it looks like it started?) dynamic the author gave us, it didn't immediately go into romance or a higher superior/lower superior relationship. They're just generally vibing with each other first before they head off to romance. It's a nice little change they gave us since most villainous related genres usually focuses on the romance that suddenly makes the ml fall in love with the fl for some odd reason or planned-engagement or running away from the ml. I RLLY LIKE THIS??

I genuinely thought he wasn't that type of person and is just a little possessive but then it makes sense sort of to be blinded by love and just think that you're the emperor and you can basically do anything you want but I hate it y'all if this was real life my trust issues would rise up automatically. Though since this is fiction and a bl ima let that slide for the angst.
She's an interesting yet tragic(?) character to see. From what I can get from the context of ch 23. They're hinting that the Princess isn't actually in love with the ml but it's more like a political movement to do it based on her once-in-a-lifetime smile. The king probably has something to do with this and the prince might be oblivious to it as well (or maybe he'sjust acting dumb). She must've planned this in the beginning considering her wounds on her arms and back (probably considered as discipline or punishment). I know it's kinda obvious but I wanted to write this out anyways