Doesn't appreciate her? the captain barely had any interest in her before the story began yet the prince knew her well enough that he was considerate to her.
Remember in one of the chapters where the prince and captain had an archery bet where the winner takes Reirin's perfume sachet? Captain noticed her watching and only later informed the prince of her arrival. The prince unexpectedly forfeited the match, as he was more concerned of Reirin standing longer in the under the heat of the sun—he did not care for obtaining her belongings if her health is at stake.
That one moment shows me how deeply the prince cares for Reirin and I think it's wrong to say he doesn't appreciate her.
Not that I support the ship, the Reirin and Captain being the endgame, nor any ship in this story aside from the friendships between the maidens lol.
My take on this: he wasn't allowed to as captain and illegitimate brother (I think?)
Like there'd be problems if he takes genuine interest on her (not only politically, but the crown prince's mood, apparently, cannot take a nose dive cause it affects the weather)
But, he unknowingly got to know her when they swapped bodies and.... fell for her. And at the end of the fiasco, reirin also earned some breathing room regarding her relationship with the prince (meaning he now APPEARS to have a *slight* chance and he simply chose to take it)
.....to be honest, I was kinda shipping for the captain too.... until he had that pissing contest with the prince (& 1 other small event that I can't remember) which made me think he might not be any better the prince (who, I think, didn't really see her for "her" until near the end of the swapping)
Gosh, I don't like her marriage options so far.
sadly not a GL so i'm hoping for reirin and the eagle captain. i feel like the prince just doesn't deserve her? and low-key doesn't really appreciate her as she is. also the brother hinted to keigetsu that reirin is not allowed to become empress - makes sense, her aunt is empress, 1st cousins isn't the greatest genetically and doesn't seem to go well with the world building of the elements - basically too much of something isn't good. i also find the keigetsu and prince story far better? bc of how in love he is with reirin, i feel like it could be good for him to start to falling in love with 'reirin' when its keigetsu and they are swapped esp since she likes him already. i'm also unsure of reirin's feelings for the prince, i think she likes him but i think she also favors her independence more? while she honors her duties to an extreme i def think that a storyline could be that the prince chooses keigetsu and she becomes the lowest consort and can leave? or be with the eagle captain i remember something along those lines... ╮(￣▽￣)╭