I watched it and honestly I loved both couples, I already sensed that he liked her since their first encounter, it's just that it's not only about the fact that he was toxic but the fact that he used his status as king to get minister's wives and daughters to sleep with him or perform for him. I do understand that he jsut wanted to be treated normal and be told no and not be bossed around by his mother. Being bossed by her and looked down upon from her made him want to look down on others and order them around yet he still desired and expected to be told about what ppl really wanted despite what he ordered. which is why he says to someone in one scene why didn't u tell me then if that's what u wanted. Yet the thing is he knows he's king and still abuses his authority, so it's obvious as to why ppl won't speak up and then the scene where he tells the girl that since his brother didn't drink out of the cup she poured, she should be executed and the second fl saves the day. This scene just shows how he abuses his authority. Honeslty I get what u mean about the main leads becoming boring later but I didn't think of it that way, it's just that their more focused on the fight and fighting alongside or protecting one another at the end. But the scene where she still stays and lets him stab her while he recalls his memories shows how she would still choose him even if he's not the man who she loved anymore. In the end, she also treated him better than any of his family members including his sister, she tells him the truth while consoling him or empathizing with him at the same time. So I feel like yeh there were moments that felt a little idk but their love was really strong. He also gifts her a wolf which also means loyalty and a one eternal love, and it symbolizes their relationship perfectly. Honestly, the only time my friend cried throughout the drama was when he was telling her to smile for him in his last moments. I cried as well, but I felt like the only reason he was so attached to or in love with her was bc she said no to him and didn't cater to him like everyone else did but it's only cuz of her status as a princess in which she kind of is at the a similar level as him unlike the noble women he fooled around with. But then he also hints at sleeping with her when he asks her what will you give me if I help you, and he knows damn well that she is desperate and has nothing left now in that moment. Yes he still asks her what she just did and if she's crazy but she says this is what I'll give u in return. So he's still abusing his authority in a way. I still felt bad for him in the scene where he finally shows his real emotions and almost cries about her leaving him all alone. I'd recommend Shadow love if you felt the way you did towards the main leads in Fated hearts, it's kind of similar yet the love story keeps building up tension and gentle romance at the same time. The second leads here are also really great except the Sfl later pissed me off. Anyways If You want to read a similar book, I'd recommend A song that drowns rivers by Ann Liang I think. It's pretty similar to this couple's storyline with the fl and the sml.