I think I hate the “learned sir” more than the trash lord Seungho. Yes the lord is a pile of shit that mentality, physically, and sexually abuses Na-kyum... BUT the man he looked up to so much obviously knows that the sexual acts he is expected to paint are now being done to him, which he noticed when he asked and Na-kyum very noticeably flinched. He just pretends nothing is happening and says “oh, endure it so I can get my fancy government position. P.s. to add to the danger, also spy on him, ok?” Sorry (not sorry) but he’s the biggest fucking asshole.
When he certainly learned that Nakyum was being favoured over other servants and noblemen that visit Seungho, he totally changed his tune from "I thought I told you not to draw anymore sodomy of men copulating with each other!!" To "Yeah carry on, whatever that is good for me will ultimately be good for you too!"
Completely just manipulating someone who's so in love with him and just wants him to succeed and perhaps feel the same way back?
Other people don’t get to decide what suffering is to great. Wanting to kill her to end her suffering is some serial killer hero complex bullshit. There is so much more to this topic and way of thinking and I know he feels guilty but it’s is absolutely not his call to make.