
Has everyone in the comment section forgotten that the Duke had not shown interest to Maria outside of friendly polite conversation??? This outgoing was arranged by the Emperor!!! Maybe it went like:
*The Emperor calls the Duke over some benign disguised to be important reason*
*Casually mentions that Maria is going dress shopping*
*Ask(but is really an order) for him to accompany her. The duke wants to avoid conflict with the royal family and agrees like a good servant.*
This all the Emperor's scheme to get the Duke to marry his daughter. Idc for any of the MLs more than the other, but I feel bad for him because he is being put into a situation he doesn't want.
Is this what a functioning yandere looks like?
Then there his holiness' simile about his ever (forcibly) faithful servant.