Haha, you know that the author managed to make each ship balanced if in every couple, there's a reader claiming it as their best/favorite ship.
@Short_Circut@Nightlilygirl-
Yeah, me too. Actually, in the side chapter, it shows that he is indeed in love with her (represented with him giving her flowers that means "I love you"). It's just that the servant mindset is so deeply rooted into his soul (it even carried to the next life) that he cannot think he's allowed to love her or even pursue it - much less fathom that they can be together.
I kind of understand that he is fixated in being a good servant... but honestly she really makes things harder for herself. They may have their memories but still act according for their current age after all.
Jou's jealousy is from Maria being in arranged marriage, he is very lacking in self confidence towards her since he knew "she" eventually had to choose someone else. But that's in the past, she ain't a princess any more, just a normal girl...