ok i see a bunch of people saying that llewyn is delulu but yall gotta remember that marquess diaz (the blue hair one) specifically told llewyn that esteban’s curse is lifted if the TWO falls in love. it NEEDS to be mutual (ch.34), which is why diaz told llewyn not to betray esteban.
this makes llewyn think that the curse is only waiting on him to reciprocate the feelings since esteban did a good job convincing him that he was in love. then later the curse is actually lifted meaning that esteban and llewyn loves each other.
HOWEVER that does not mean esteban is aware that he’s fallen in love with llewyn, because he is trying to follow his plan of “seduce the commoner with physical affection” and he is not aware of the fact that the feelings has to be mutual to lift the curse. (earlier chapters show his ignorance)
remember that esteban and llewyn are both characters who has never received proper, unconditional love during their childhood!!! which is why their concept of love is very flawed and unnatural, especially esteban who grew up having everything dear to him taken away. which is why he’s very obsessive and possessive and distrusts llewyn because he thinks he will choose crown prince helion over him when it comes to an ultimatum.