I do understand the Riftan dislike

But keep in mind that in the setting of the story, noble ladies are 'gentle and frail', it's also what Riftan believes noble ladies to be. Maxi is the daughter of a duke, in his mind, even though they have spent some time together, Maxi still is a weak lady, especially seeing her 'small' body. To him, Maxi is a lady who had never been exposed to harm or even lifted something more heavy than a spoon.

I don't like how he dismissed Maxi's hard work, but think about it, he doesn't know that Maxi had never been really happy when she was still living in the duke's castle, that Maxi was not free to learn about anything or do anything she wants to do because Maxi has never been open about her past to Riftan at all. He doesn't know that Maxi had suffered through wounds more severe than let's say, a needle prick from doing embroidery.

He doesn't know that rather than being 'helpless, useless, spoiled young lady', Maxi would rather do everything she can to not be categorized as such. Contrary to Riftan, who only wants her to be pretty and happy, adorned with jewels and only the finest and the most beautiful things.

I have this perspective in mind, therefore I still keep liking this story, even with all of Riftan's 'protectiveness'. It shows Maxi's growth as a person. She wasn't able to express her opinions and desire at all almost all her life. I love that she has come so far as a person that she can even oppose her husband, the strongest person in the kingdom, the one even his own knights fear. I love to see her fight for what she wants instead of being provided by the male lead like some other characters because the fl is pretty and cute and the ml can't say no to the fl.