more so than the development, it got over something very human: You don't get beaten up and stay emotionless. Rio was a boy from the slums, okay, and he got roughed up, understandable. But it was not getting punched once in the guts or face, the torturer got him literally hooked up and repeatedly beaten with a club, probably other tools as well. That after he ingenuously trusted that they were only going to ask a few questions and set him free. After waking up, the first reaction - no matter if coming from a boy from the slums or from a grown-up Japanese, would be the same: get on the defense, feel angry, tense and betrayed. That was an absolute failure from the author.This chapter glossed over some pivotal character development from the light novel. When Vanessa finds Rio being tortured, she unlocks his restraints and offers her hand to take him to be healed. Rio takes one look at her, says "DON'T TOUCH ME", then loses consciousness. After he awakens, he's taught court etiquette by a handmaiden named Aria before appearing before the king.
@Paan8888
Rio being tortured wasn't Vanessa's fault. She didn't know that cockweasel Charles was gonna try and pin the kidnapping on Rio. He was supposed to be interrogated by one of her subordinates, but power-hungry nobles like "the physical manifestation of douche also known as Charles" will take every opportunity to advance their position.
gets tortured relentlessly after putting his life at risk to save someone