Her last inner thought this chapter is implying that she at least likes him, whether that is as a man or as a friend.
It will probably turn into the former.
I realized what ourDuke is... he is a teenager: who has seen movies or other people do cool and suave things, then thought to himself. “I can do that!
But is actually to shy to talk to the girl he likes properly.
I love the romance and all but I’m soo full of rage rn to enjoy it at its fullest. God damn that fucking sister, wtf is wrong w/ her that she’s abusing a child like that!?