Thats the whole point. He’s projecting. And he knows it too, but also can’t forget what he’s been through. So he’s conflicted, and makes bad decisions as a result.
If we hadn't known what happens in the future, everyone would be saying “ignorance is a sin”, “how can she be so unaware”, “this is why we don’t support the monarchy”, etc.
I said in a previous comment that he, as a child, created an image of another child he saw that gave him a reason to live and push forward. She was his coping mechanism for the torture he was being put through. Then after YEARS of this, the illusion is shattered, and now he’s lost his coping mechanism. He doesn't know what to do with himself. And that’s what drives his actions going forward.
Both characters are flawed and caused pain due to their unwillingness to understand the suffering of others. Annette: the common people. ML: Annette.
No matter what kind of pitiful story he cooks up, hes literal trash. If he falls in love and then is disgusted by how ignorant she is and himself for falling for her, thats his problem, not hers. hes just projecting his pain onto her, making her as miserable as he was. He should be put down like a feral rabid dog