I feel like people are too harsh on the 8th prince. Instead of comparing this to the Abandoned Empress which is completely different, it would be more accurate to compare this to Honey, I'm Going on Strike.
A husband bad with feelings and communication who actually loves the wife but just didn’t show it. They were both bad in bed because they didn’t know what the heck they were doing lol. FL travels back to the past upon death and realizes he likes her the whole time. ML also becomes better at communicating.
I feel like the author just wanted to use the common “misunderstanding” troupe for more plot but is taking to to the extreme with the FL having “trauma” to the point where she trembled at the sight of him.
Compared to everything she went through and comparing the 8th prince to the Emperor in Abandoned Empress he hardly did anything that warrants a trauma response, but it’s needed for plot I guess?
Honestly I dropped all two manhwas you mentioned so yeah haha
Agreed
I was curious about the ML's identity due to comments, so I looked it up:
It turns out the ML is the 8th prince. He's been in love with her since their first meeting, but he felt unworthy and wanted to become emperor to be worthy of her love. He also sought revenge against the FL in the first timeline.
Honestly, I'm not sure how to feel about this revelation. While the spoilers suggest he may not be entirely bad and has his own suffering, part of me wishes for a different ML for her. She deserves someone who hasn't caused her so much pain.
I understand that the ML went through hardships too, but the FL suffered a lot as well. The neglect from their previous marriage has left deep scars on her. I believe she deserves a chance to heal and find someone unrelated to her past, someone who won't betray or harm her. Some things can't be easily forgiven, even with heartfelt apologies. This is why I struggle with stories like "Abandoned Empress," for example :(