Yeah... I think they really should've taken this whole thing much more slowly. The sudden appearance of an army, then the sudden appearance of a bunch of other people just feels forced
There's one where the hero kicks the MC out because he's too weak, but the entire party reassures the MC that they'll go back with him once they beat the demon lord.... And marry him (him as in the MC, not the demon lord)
I don't believe it at all. He seems to still hold her in that regard, that was clear by the time of the time skip.
I think he genuinely meant he had someone but didnt know how to tell the princess or is still trying to figure out how he feels about the princess as well. It's not like he can't...