@MrMcPoopers the thing is, though, it's not realistic in the slightest. It would be totally fine with me, if it was, but it's not. And it's not like it should be that way, it's fine for it not to be realistic, but the point is, the romance in here is executed very poorly and it drags down other plot points. MC and ML are cliche, their characters, behaviour and attitude are not new, this kind of story (in a nutshell) already exists, but it's executed rather well (for what it's worth) by other authors. In here, though, it's like I'm reading very first fanfic from a 6 yo girl. The lack of everything's just so evident, that I can't even.
BTW, I also don't like 'Survive as The Hero's Wife' for the same reason. The romance in there exists 'just because'. The author wants it to be that way and gives no background for it to be believable. I don't believe that story in the slightest. And that's a problem for like 90% of these fluffy romance manhwas. It's not about a story being cliche with flowery romance, but rather the execution of one, you don't want the plot holes, illogical stuff and 'just becauses' be too noticeable and straightforward. You can't hope for a story to be 'alive', 'believable' and 'realistic' as of right now, since the most attention for now is in BL scene, and there is certain production bias towards female audience in terms of shoujo scene (as in like, 99% of MCs are 'pretty flowers', 'damsel in distress' or whichever you may call it, and this stereotypical approach takes good half of a story if not all). There are bunch of interviews with authors, developers etc on that topic, they don't even hide the fact they push established formula on every story if it's shoujo or josei. I'd be surprised if I ever see a good 'free' story in the field. But right now, if author wants the 'story' to be good, they're forced to change genre to BL, and that's partially why BL is thriving right now.
I've gotta say, though, 'The Emperor's Companion' and 'The Duchess' 50 Tea Recipes' are the most 'bullcrap right in the face' one stories I've stumbled upon so far.