My leading theory is he is the crown prince and has probably had many of the same thoughts she has had about the kingdom's spending. As a prince who dislikes balls and national events, he operates a business and participates in the wise council with only those in the know knowing he is the crown prince. As he has an influence on the queen this backs that theory. As the queen and king let their second prince choose his wife from basically anyone in attendance-without vetting-there really is no one who would not point out its insanity. Furthermore, most of their original conversation was while drunk and she had immediate embarrassment and regret the next time they met...
Point is, he wants to marry for the love and as a women who has exceeded all expectations for her time and excelled-theres no real wonder that he would be captivated. Its not like he harrassed her and caused her fear, he sent flowers and was acting like a gentlemen beyond his time.
I totally agree with you, he’s the crown prince, and this is why he needed to check the evil step sister
But your gentleman does also have some yandere vibes ?
The way of their relationship does not feel like romance, although it brings me to consider what would romance be. But they are having intellectual relations, with respect and wit. There’s no sense of intimacy, complicity.
It feels like a brain relationship more than a heart one ?
From this perspective the fact that he asked her to work for him also says a lot?
Also « work for me » and be my partner really don’t me the same thing- if i recall correctly, he asked the former it’s not so sweet?
As he has not revealed he's the crown prince, he can't really say "by my crown princess/queen". Based on all other manga of this era/monarchy, "work for me" for a crown prince is equivalent to that. All other crown princesses/queens basically get thrown straight into helping to make the country better in some way shape or form by business, classes, or charity.
I agree that it is largely a "brain relationship" from what we can see thus far, but genuine interest in another interest, spending time together, attraction, and opening up pathways for the other's aspirations makes it a "heart relationship" in my mind too.
Also, playing with the Cinderella theme with the prince who chose her as his wife because of her beauty, why couldn't the crown prince choose MC based on those same principles but with intelligence instead? Cinderella's prince chases her down by her glass slipper, not accepting any other, and claims to love her. Why would the crown prince not try just as hard for the one girl whose traits endeared them to him?
I think he did that because of the story timeline setting. The period in which they r is male dominated society so he must have thought given her financial and social status she would definitely except it. And if take note more on the evil side then he could have thought if he just acts a bit sweet to her she would be smitten by him so he can use her. Seriously though the concept is good but at some parts the execution of it is terrible like the fls actions . She is publicly defaming the Royal Family which can get her killed but it's like it just does not matter.
And that Cinderella