Most 'villain'-protagonists are usually misunderstood people but Nocton is indeed villainous. He's such a twisted villain-ML that I should dislike him, but he's strangely compelling lol
Honestly, Valrose's reactions to Nocton are very reasonable. He always seemed indifferent to her and now she finds out he can manipulate minds. And that he seems emotionally detached to everything. Why should Valrose believe that she's special when he's never shown it??