Lauvil's manga / #Controlling ML(4)

I understand that the story and setting is realistic, I just don't understand the point in writing a story set in a time period where women are treated like objects and then not do anything about it. There is no message, no point. From the way the mc acts submissive, subservient and meak, to how her fragility is described as part of her beauty; Everything about her is really off-putting. I know she's like that because of her circumstances and that this part is realistic, but it doesn't make for a very interesting or inspiring protagonist. Even more off-putting is the ML. I know he is also the product of that kind of society, but he treats and speaks of her like an objec or a pet. He loves her and she loves him, but he has all the power and control in the relationship and is not afraid to use it - even going so far as to threaten to kill everyone around her if she leaves him. That's the definition of a toxic relationship and I don't find it romantic at all. He's a psychopath and she's a doll with no personality. So yeah, I've read 13 chapters and that's the extent of how much time I'm willing to spend on it. Only reason I give it 2 stars instead of 1, is because of the decent smut and pretty art style (though ML suffers a serious case of yaoi-hands in a few panels).

Lily is the daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose father has a habit of selling her into marriage with aristocrats to boost his business. Her second husband, passed away from illness, has not even been put in the ground before she receives the order to enter into a third marriage. Her groom; A notorious duke and monster on the battlefield. The two get married at lightning speed and she returns home with him to live in bliss and luxury. There's just one problem: He won't show his face to her. ...I don't get it. I don't get this story at all. Does everyone involved have an IQ of 4? I don't understand the premise, I don't understand the character interactions, and I don't understand their thoughts and motivations. To me it makes ZERO sense. Like, why does the duke hide his face? Because he finds it hideous and monstrous. Okay, fine. Fair. I can live with that promise. But then WHY does he say "my face is too monstrous to show her" and then show her multiple times - just while pretending to be someone else. That doesn't make fucking sense! Like what??? If your face is too shocking and hideous to show your wife, that you want to spare her the vision, why does that not apply all of the time? Why only some of it? And what's up with the FL's memory?? Like, she sees his face. The have an intimate moment where she keeps her eyes closed, but opens them despite his orders and sees his face. They do the hanky panky and she wakes up AND THEN SUDDENLY SHE THINKS IT'S A DREAM. But it's not even consistent. She thinks seeing her husband's face was a dream, but then begins to refer to him by the name he told her to in the supposed dream. And she does so in front of others. And it's the correct name. Why does she not realize any of this??? Who mistakes waking moments to be dreams, if they aren't at least inebriated. And the story is full of moments like this where we think: "Oh, she saw his face now. Now that tension is resolved" but then the story backpedals and it wasn't resolved after all. It feels like the author wants to drag out the face-reveal to milk that tension for as long as they can, by tricking the readers into thinking it has been resolved only to reveal that it hasn't been. And the attempt comes off as condescending and nonsensical. I'm already getting a little impatient to know: Has the author even prepared a major storyline? Or is it just going to be a string of minor plotlines with no greater outcome? The only other tension that the story has introduced so far, is a possible jealousy-plotline revolving around Tristan. Which is underwhelming. I could be pleasantly surprised which is why I'll give the story a chance - but I'm not counting on it. 2/5 stars.