Lmao you totally just admitted half the reason why the FL can't help but be a bit stuck to Mac... the other reasons are like 1) she first knew him as the traumatized ML from a novel, it's kinda hard to hate on a lead who defeated hardships and got some revenge (some of us cheer for it) 2) guilt and pity knowing what he went through and that she didn't 'save him' half as well as she hoped 3) in that world, he's probably one of the few that least feels like a stranger 4) he's literally manipulating her life to like and depend on him 5) playing along is probably her best chance of getting away. The dude clearly literally would delight in killing her or locking her up forever, so trying to 'play nice' is one of her few options.
For me, I like that her character truly did horrible things and there's no easy fix to resolve it. I also feel actually spooked when we get glimpses of dark, unhinged Mac. He's hot, but manages to give me the same sick twist in my gut as being betrayed in real life- I'll believe he cares, but he's still actively and seriously planning to break her.
...they really do need other people running the country, tho. These 2 spend all mental energy on their weird dynamic while.. you know.. monster-spawning literal darkness is overtaking the land. And no one seems to be investigating it or even allowing the people who could easily just walk in and look? How do you defeat something if even talking about it is heresy, like htf do these people hold meetings? "Hm, that sure looks bigger, let's just keep dealing with it in total ignorance because knowledge is ~naughty~" and suddenly now I realize the shit Galileo dealt with...
Sorry, the comment became a rant, but have a good one~
MY DUDE I AGREE ENTIRELY WITH YOU ABOUT THIS, THIS IS GREAT
This series is super messy but honestly a guilty pleasure of mine because of how messy it is lmao. I have no idea how this is gonna end truly but at this point they both deserve each other to rot in a middle of no where home and to leave the kingdom to those who could actually make a difference. I feel bad for the FL for sure but her codependent relationship with the ML is just so bad and MEEEESSSYYYY. The ML is absolutely crazy with for a good reason honestly and he could choke hold me in a heart beat and get me hot and bothered for it but seriously these two give me stress my fucking GODΣ( ￣□￣||)