Can someone explain to me, why people in the comments say ML is a rapist? I mean, he clearly asked her if she did not wanted to do it, she said yes and when he took off his shirt he asked her again if he should get out and she still said yes. I mean I guess it kinda hurt, but it was her first time and I do not know if he prepared her enough ( I mean, there is a huge difference between their bodies, so besides preparing she needs to get used to him with time and practice... and I don't know how experienced he is and if he did it right?).
I can see Maxi seemed kinda pressed for it by others (and got scared in process), but the fact that it was marriage with a stranger did not probably help it. It would be different if they loved each other, but the way Riftan handled her was pretty ok in my eyes? SInce they did not know each other before marriage, he could turn out abusive or take her by force, but he cleary asked her permission? She might not know much, but she surely had some guesses that it has to do with making kids and stuff.
The art and forced marriage surely show that this is not fluffy cute rainbow story - it has a little bit of medieval vibes to it, which in my opinion is awesome. I was afraid he would truly rape her, be cold to her and such, buuuut he's not? It is flat out marriage made for somebody's benefits and author did not sugarcoated it or made excuses for them not to spend their night together, which seems more realistic considering what we have seen about this world so far (medieval a little bit xd). I can see it will be a story about their growth with each other, since it is clear ML thinks lowly of himself and Fl was abused to such extent that it is just sad.
I'm also amazed by the art, since I'm overjoyed it's not another shiny palace and such. Don't get me wrong, I also love all the stories with such settings, but seeing those darker backgrounds and not flowery furnitures gets me a new rush of excitement. If anyone know of mangas/mahwas etc with similar art to this one or Stepmother's Marchen, please let me know! ๐