I love the contrasting balcony scenes between Oscar/Aria and Asher/Aria. When Oscar saw Aria looking helpless and desperate, he ignores her pleas, doesn’t confess, and abandons her, succumbing to Lady Isis. When Asher sees Aria on the balcony, he stays, comes to her, confesses his feelings, and practically pledges his loyalty to her.
Aria has never had a man that outright wants to openly be with her. In her past, the men when fall for her but refuse to marry her because of her origins. Even after changing, Oscar rejects her instead of fighting for her. Asher fell for her inspite of her origins and for more than just her beauty or her feigned docile behavior, but for her intelligence, confidence, and determination. It helped him to change how he approached things and take chances in his own life, leading him to defeating the hold the Aristocratic party had over him and free to rule his own kingdom and be with whom he wants.
It’s a refreshing love story. 😍