Really?? I think I saw a post in the author's instagram expressing her firm decision for making Heil the ML (some are messaging her about the outcome so she posted something about it). But it can be that she made Khaol the end game in novel and it's her choice to make Heil the end game in manhwa. Seeing this, I'll try to comment on T@p@s regarding this so we'll be enlightened. Hope she'll notice my comment (〜 ̄△ ̄)〜
She actually didn't say that it was Heil from the start and maybe we can ask that in t@p@s for confirmation because I'm curious too!
But she did say that the novel didn't reach that far from the manhwa. Maybe she had writer's block in the first chapters and then got the hang of it when it was adapted into manhwa. The post about it can be found on her Instagram (demonicblackcatwrites) where she shared a picture of River and Shuyin together.
Finally, a story wherein i'm satisfied with the love interest/prolly the endgame of the main character. tho, i thought the endgame will be khaol at first cuz i was deceive by the title and i even thought Heil will be part of my 'cause of second lead syndrome and the unchosen ones' list. but guess what they're now even gonna be like a real family together with hela, i'm rooting for them. 。゚(TヮT)゚。
also, kaveri deserves someone better. KHAOL YOU FXXKING SELFISH JERK. (but atleast he finally knows it) ╮( ˘ 、 ˘ )╭