I really love Ruth and I wish Maxi would end up with him somehow even tho I know this is wishful thinking. He sees her potential and genuinely believes in her and actively supports her to improve herself in all aspects. He depends on her and acknowledges her as someone he can entrust responsibilities with. I root for him with all my heart.
Also what the fuck was that reaction when Maxi happily commented and the oak tree?! I don't give a flying fuck why he said what he said, that was just awful. Imagine putting thought and effort into something and it actually bears fruit only for someone you love to say, "who would care about such an ugly thing" like hello?!?!?!!!
Idk if you’ve read the second book so this might be spoilers but
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His character arc is basically letting go of his controlling nature and letting maxi have more freedom. He has a lot of personal issues with magic and the aristocracy so he thinks maxi should just sit on her ass because that’s why a duke’s daughter was bred to do. That’s why he gets pissy anytime she works cause he thinks shes working because he can’t give her the life he thinks she deserves. It also doesn’t help that the art for the manwha makes him seem more angry than how I remember in the book. Like bro is def pissy but like I never remember him being scary looking to maxi after the first part of the book. The first book ends with him realize that their relationship isn’t great and they need to fix it.
Am I the only one who dislikes Riftan
He always makes her feel incompetent and easily broken, he doesn't encourage her to reach her full potential, in fact he tries to hinder her from becoming stronger and more capable. It feels like he likes her to be "weak" and "dependent" as he always tells her how she basically can't do anything. He refused to involve her in the discussions of his land and people even though she is the lady of the land herself and has every right to be involved in the matter of her own people and their welfare. He treats her more like a pet than an actual person capable of much more that sitting around in the safety of her own room waiting for her beloved husband to visit her.
I dont know if anyone read ACOTAR, but he reminds me Tamlin so much. Idk, I seriously dislike him and compared to Ruth for example, who saw her potential and helped her cultivate her abilities and become more confident in herself, Riftan seems so toxic. He loses his temper and calls her basically calls her useless then turns back and say "I'm just worried about you uwu" like stfu that's so toxic. Ugh, I really really don't like him.