Minoucha

He never planned to kill her in the second life. He was just pretending at the beginning so that she would behave (he explained to his staff why he wanted her to fear him). She misunderstood but he doesn’t hate her or wants to kill her. Quite the contrary, he is teaching her how to survive and behave so that she doesn’t get killed by the empress. In this life they both have the same enemies. In the previous one she was evil and used everyone around her, he just acted accordingly but he still let her live (she chose to end her life). Regarding his manic episodes, not his fault as it’s ptsd due to her trauma.

Will the ML get the military power of his uncle at some point to carry out his revenge? I just wonder how will he do it without military power? Please mark as spoiler. Thanks :)

My dear book readers, question again please

I think it’s fair to say that in real life my red flag radar would ping dramatically with him. I think I put things in the context of this era where overbearing and powerful noble men are the ones that survive and the weak just die. So I understand his actions in that context (especially as he was himself a victim and endured deep trauma). I think that once he manages to control his ptsd he will become softer and less aggressive. But I must say that I do have a personal preference for passionate men especially when the FL is so passionate herself.

I LOVE that they made the ML be a feminist (for that era). He refuses his students to read the traditional book of etiquette, he wants them to learn what men learn. He cooks himself. He supported her on her salt business and sent someone to help. If anyone had any doubt about his suitability for the FL that should help. She definitely needs a forward thinking and powerful man like him to thrive in this era (where women like her would get into trouble - and that’s probably why she died in the first life). She was too rogue and impulsive.

Yes, he is a rare pure blood noble. If he didn’t have to hide his identity he’d probably be the most powerful man in the country considering his blood and status.

But some people said XW literally committed suicide out of guilt. Is that not correct?

Agree but maybe not entirely free with problems though LOL. She thinks he hates her and wants to kills her.

But it’s so funny how possessive and jealous he already is. He was annoyed at her having already had snacks. And his eyes lit up like a child when he realised she remembered his cakes in the cave.

And the fact that he baked them himself!! I love how multi talented this man is - literature, politics, art of war, music, poetry, baking, kissing,,,

Exactly, I respect but don't get the ship with ZZ. She acts out of character and walks on egg shells with ZZ, she is more of a fan girl. The person she talks freely to, shares her inner thoughts, throws tantrums at, the one that sees her for who she is but challenges her to be better is XW. He is the only man who can handle such a strong woman

Another reason why I'm hooked on this drama is because they wrote the redemption angle extremely well. My frustration with Scent of Time (although I adored the leads) is how poorly they were written. The FL was still selfish and naive in her next life, it was hard to root for her. And they made the ML look like a pathetic creep. What I love here is that she truly and genuinenly aims to make up to every signle person she wronged previously and goes out of her way to do so, even if it means sacrifing herself or her family. She also acts according to the situation and doesn't let personal grudges influence her judgement too much. And the MLs are also not silly simps or just sacrifice themselves in the second life. The writing is very strong here.

They showed why but you may have skipped. It’s trauma (like ptsd) from the massacre night that happened on a snow night. They were animals (maybe lynxes) that lured around dead bodies and saw them while lying. So cats are triggers for him, just like snow nighta.

Ahh well that makes more sense then as ML seems super loyal to his family.

Oh which one please!!!!

That stare he gave her in front of the king was priceless!!! Full of anger mixed with lust, passion and murderous intent.

I am really curious about how on earth did he handle his cousin being around her knowing that he still loved her and even was intimate with her in the past life???

Are you able to share an example of an inner monologue he had?

I can't be the only one who finds the ML unintentionally funny. He is so smart and self -aware except when it comes to hiding his jealousy and feelings for her. He is soooooo obvious. I laughed hard when he said he would skin her alive if he was his cousin. It's obvious he was talking about himself. Boy is gone

But he also really wants him to get married and thinks he loves her.