beta
so idk why no ones mentioned this but like my theory anyways
obv he's the previous royal fams prince
the current royal fam he hates are the ones who either framed him for killing his own father or they poisoned/controlled whatever him to kill his father; either way - responsible
the reason he married mc to ml is because ml's father probably helped him escape execution, get a new identity, and start a new life. or was his loyal retainer? either way; there's some debt there.
but yeah he's pretty trashy as a father. i also think maybe the mother was actually really loved and cherished by him and the shitty current royal fam caused her death in some way & might also have had some hand in the 'witch' rumors (though this would counter them framing him so idk??? double playing????). which would lead to these authors fav cliche route of a failure of a father not knowing how to show love or affection to the daughter who resembles their lost love. esp if the mother was in a weakened state from the plot to oust them and went into labor and died that way.
edit* SPOILERS:
ok i went for raws and i was riiiiiiiiiight (only half right in here) I had a different theory but i thought it was more likely so i didn't want to spoil anything potentially but writing it out BUT FOR THE PART THAT I DID WRITE OUT:
yes, there was a debt. it was obvious when dad told ml to thank his father. the debt?; ml's father replaced dad (willingly) for the execution & died in his place. that's why he had them get married despite gaining basically nothing from the union. (so, yes; he is the prince.)
also dad does love mc who does overly resemble his beloved deceased wife. there's reasons for how he raised her and his attitude and like it sucked and maybe he could have been better but author did pretty well here. i kinda excuse him? or forgive.
(i really want to scream about the parts i was theorizing outside of the above that turned out to be spot on BUT IT WOULD RUIN IT CRI. though they're all logical leaps so if you think a little you should come to the same ideas~) ASIDE FROM ALL THAT LOL
this story (up to c25 where i'm at) is less about mc and ml (fair enough amount tho) and more about mc & her dad. their past. their history. his intentions and reasons. her learning and healing. there's some really good moments there and there's some really good unrelated moments that make this gold.
mc and ml actually very cute together. he becomes worthwhile. man doesn't get in her way and works hard to change and be with her. he really grows. he also learns a shit ton along with mc and THIS IS JUST A VERY WELL DONE STORY OK LOL