the story is confusing but i want to confirm something does nocton like the female lead
I know you are probably being rhetorical but I wanna answer that with my own theory(Its a theory because it isn't confirmed).
Since we as the readers are learning more and more about the characters and their own methods of madness, I think it would be a true statement to say that Nocton likes/loves The FL. Now looking back in a chapter or so when you read the Nocton mention how he feels comfortable around FL and how he got a sense of relief when he was around her because his family for the most part didn't harass him.
And that adds up to the 'promise' that they had as children that he is keeping. He is considering her even when his life is in mortal danger due to assassins, but refuses to kill him due to their promise as young kids.
And my last piece to really fortify that he loves her, even though its twisted, is the one prophetic dream the Heroine had. The one about what would have happened if the FL went to the tea party Nocton had hosted. Nocton didn't like that the Heroine and Second ML were in his way of the FL. He didn't like that because of them he was losing the person he loves and adores.
So to fix that he simply just makes the Second ML kill the Heroine and then himself, effectively getting them out of his way. But one small detail I would like to mention is that while Nocton would have been the reason they died, Nocton didn't actually kill them since that was all the Second ML. In the end he is still keeping his promise to the FL that they made as kids even though we nor FL are aware.
Boom, that's it. If you actually read all of that nonsense of me rambling go eat something delicious and treat yourself. You deserve it.
(づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ
Since the princess is 5 years old how old is the 7th prince and in the summary it meant that they might be lovers in the future