You're right about the author only making him as a love sick knight but i will disageee that he hasnt done nothing in both life's or hasn't try to develop the relationship because he has.
The reason "he doesn't understand her" is because Keira doesn't tell him anything to understand. He does take initiative but it backfires because Keira refuses to open up about it because "i can't risk his life" he's a knight thats his job to risk his life for her. And that is my problem with the writing of them.
It's a constant he tries but Keira doesn't but readers only see it has "he just doesn't try" when the one who doesn't try is Keira. If she's willy try with Erez why not Joseph? Because she knew in the first life??
They also have an imbalance power dynamics, so no matter what Joseph does Keira will not let him in.
In the first life he risked his captain position and life to escape with Keira and Zeke but Keira refused to go. Many seem to forget about that. He was the only who understood Keira in the first life and in a little in the 2nd life even if he doesn't understand what's going on behind the scene. He tries, he does but not at a full extent as the first life.
It kinda makes me sad he's written like this because I do see ppl throw hate at him due to it (ik you're not throwing hate but I see it so often on tt, ig and a little on twt)
If the author wants a romance, they should stop going back and forth between Joseph and Erez, just focus on the guy they choose.
I realized my problem with love triangle is that some authors dont know when to stop. Pure love operation's latest chapter has just ruined it for me, I dont want this story to be the same.
Honestly, I feel ZERO tension between Keira and Joseph. While everything about Joseph's character revolves around Keira, I dont think he actually understands her, or even knows her on a personal level. Like he's just there, ready to serve but never dare taking a step forward, in both life. And then there is Erez, who is also very dedicated to Keira but has a balance relationship/dynamic with her. So maybe choose Erez
If the author chooses Joseph... then give him personality Something other than a lovesick knight. And of course, give him some guts to try develop a closer relationship with Keira, 'cause all he be doing is making that hurted face and baiting for my sympathy, and I feel kinda frustrated because as a person who've read 102049 love triangles, I know this is just the author disrespecting (?) the character and fishing for argument. Im not buying that anymore sorry.
*sigh I really dont have high hope tho