@Lililily fair enough to all points you've raised. i think the issue here (for me) is how it's framed. we don't really see the duke be thoroughly scolded and called out for his bullshit (yet) and it's pissing me off that this situation hasn't been resolved in any sort of satisfying capacity. like, we got to see/hear/read the duke's side of the story but we all know his viewpoint is bullshit yfm? i would have liked to see the MC say
something to the duke, even the barest minimum of "the fuck, no? that's not how that works". as intriguing as the ML is, i'm peeved that he didn't let her say anything and took complete control of the situation.