
actually the true reason why everyone here in the comment is frustrated is because the pace of the story is fast.. and i think the manhwa exaggerated the emotions on the faces of the characters too..
one more thing, the rumors about him being cruel doesn't help at all.. there is already an assumption bias being sown into the minds of the characters and also the readers.. and the FL's uncertainty only grew because of this too..
the fast pace of the story doesn't help too.. there are more that aren't explained or should i say "emphasize" of the situation..
I do understand the FL's actions, If I were her, I too would do anything to protect my children.. no matter who they are.. and I do sympathize for the emperor too.. in the chapter 23, it was explained why he is acting the way he did.. it's because of lack of emotions and his past experiences and trauma's..
I felt heartbroken when he said he wanted to live a happy life with his whole family but forced to take a different action (confining/arresting the FL) because in their situation he knew that no matter what he says she will not believe him..

this one made me very disappointed.. at first the drawing is good, but the following chapters are intolerable.. the story is also so-so.. i think I'm going to drop this now.

I think you should be patient every artist always improving their artwork for example: Wind breaker and solo leveling, because the artist are still unfamiliar at the characters faces, bodyshapes and etc. and soon will get used to it and without realizing the art style are good then before patience and needed here.

spoilers
.
.
.
.
.
.
the grand duke is alive.. he became younger.. around 13-15yrs.old.. they (the duke and his soldiers) will attack the ciel's home.. he then met ciel at her room, at first she didn't recognize him but the duke explained that he drunk a poison to make him younger because ciel wrote him a letter saying she doesn't want to marry someone 10yrs older than her.. but ciel didn't wrote that letter, so there was someone who imitated her hand writing, well i guess it's her brother sharky.. and the duke fell for that prank so he drunk poison to make him younger..
ciel then asked the duke why did you fall for that, you are someone who thinks deeply of what actions you make.. so why do something so careless?? then the duke said, he only became that way for ciel, what ciel wants he will do, .. and another thing.. when ciel said, she was glad that the grand duke is back.. he turned red like super red.. ciel then thought that maybe same as her when she turned younger, their behaviours and thinking also became younger..
this is just a theory but i do think huxenlight is hexion ancestor, or huxenlight himself...
and adele in the past is huxenlight lover..
remember when hexion keeps having this dream of him seeing a green haired girl that looks like adele? and him trying to protect her, and hearing a voice telling him, "this time who should protect her"..
I'm guessing that in the past huxenlight/hexion and adele are lovers.. but something happened to adele (died/killed, and I'm guessing it's because of the first emperor).. that's why the now reincarnation of huxenlight which is hexion is still inlove with adele.. that explains his attachment and longing to her the moment he saw her..