- #1
Let's first start off with the "main lead" Emperor of the interstellar novel. His reason for falling for the main character was because he regretted not being able to notice just how deep MC's love for him was and only begin to realize it after MC died the first time. While I can understand the "start" of his feelings, it escalated way too fast after they meet again in the second timeline. As the emperor, I expected him to be more wise and less of a lovestruck dumbass because he have so many suitors. Based on the fact that in the first life he was willing to put MC's death to the side just so he can finish off the Villain and even waited to fix the world after the battle before he begin his mourning of the MC didn't match up to how s*upid he became in the second life all for the MC. If the author took a little longer to flesh out his obsession and slowly transition him then I would truly feel sorry for his regret. And also, even if regret was the motivation, I don't think it was enough to make him "fall in love". Considering how he didn't like the MC's spoiled act, he should still discipline the MC accordingly. In other words, the main lead and the emperor should have the same curiosity and exploration of their feelings for the MC, but the ML was the only one who had this adventure while the emperor took a shortcut instead.
The same can also be said about the Marshal and the Speaker of the house. The Marshal's fall was also spontaneous and didn't fit well with his description either. While I prayed hard at the beginning for him to win because he was the only one who truly respected the MC, he did not win. This poor boy was literally introduced, showed up on a couple a scenes and then no longer became relevant except to be known as another member of the harem. He deserved more attention and love. The other part about him is that, same as the emperor, since he is strict on discipline and keeping up with his morals, it was cringey that he lost this part of his character just so he can be forced to simp for the MC immediately after their reunion too.
Another respectful one that probably have the best character development, best redemption storyline, and best exploration of his feelings for the MC is the the Speaker of the House. My god, this dude literally ignites the inner dominant queen in you. He's so obedient that it makes you want to gently step on him just to show him how much you love him. Lol! Jk jk... But for real, even compare to the ML, and I dare say Marshal too, he was the best of them all. He provided true shelter and protection for the MC, he respected the MC's boundaries, and he is super considerate of the MC's thoughts, views, and overall well-being. This is how one should truly try to fix their wrong, not try to bed the MC like all the other reborns. His regret and guilt was more thoroughly explored and processed than any of the other characters, but unfortunately he fell into the "nice guy finish last" with the Marshal. Honestly, once again, why did the two most respectful dudes end up in the background while all the horndogs get the spotlight?! 😮💨 The Speaker definitely deserve love and attention too. My only issue was that, again, his fall for the MC does feel forced even though the motivation behind it was simply because the MC was different and secretly nicer/thoughtful than the other nobles. I need a bit more than that. We are talking about a selfish lone wolf man who only cares about himself and doesn't care for anyone else's tragedy here. His fall needs a little more backbone and if the author also spent a little longer on showing how he ended up being willing to include the MC in his world then I think many readers of this novel would agree he absolutely should have won at the end instead. (I demand an extra/fanfic where he is the ML instead!!! Rewrite for timeline 3!!)
The only two who made sense was the ML and the Villain their characters was solid through and through, and it sucks that the ML won in the end.
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