okay, so i've read the novel n all, and i just gotta say, i still don't favor the crown prince lmao. in my OWN OPINION (so y'all don't call me out or anything) i think the author somehow pushed? the relationship between ML and FL (or maybe im not just satisfied w it orz). ofc, ML in the orig story had it hard and did ignore Elena bc (1) he misunderstood and thought Elena was really veronica, (2) and to protect Elena (no, he did not know her real name til the end :3) bc he did realize later on though that Elena was fake bc he overheard Ren threatening Elena abt outing her as a fake. ML was somehow redeemed there (he recognised the real veronica when they were switched and forbid veronica to be ever near Ian. he tried to find Elena but it was too late :c)
majority of the main story focused on FL getting her revenge on the Grand Duke:s House (yay for her!!) and the romance came on the 2nd and 3rd side story. Near the ending, I feel like the story could've smoothly progressed as well in having Ren, Veronica's cousin, as an ML. Well, ig it was a thing to make Ren the knight in the shadows 2nd ML for us readers :3333
also, Hurelbard, the knight, pledged to never marry so he can dedicate his life for Elena (omg i cried). It was hinted in the side stories that Raphael, the painter, and Cecilia were romantically involved :3 Story ended when Veronica was beheaded hmhm
i can give more spoilers if y'all want~
i thought it was gonna be a vers type of switch