What you're doing is essentially silencing anyone who doesn't agree with the story's poor writing and awful mishandling of a "romantic" and sexual relationship. Whether there was any information that I got wrong in my rant, it's irrelevant to the core issue:
Riftan is a terribly written protagonist who drags the story and the heroine significantly because of his insufferable attitude and lack of any meaningful character development. No amount of sad, tragic POV sob side stories will ever justify his non-existent character arc.
The man went from "My wife is a woman I must dot on. She is frail, needs a lot of care and lived a life of luxury. I must procide everything I can for her to feel confortable, I must buy all the riches in the world for her, she should have nothing to worry about" to "My wife wants to learn magic, she wants to heal people, now she wants to accompany me to the battlefield, now she has to sleep in mud, take a bath every three days, eat soldier's food, now she wants to fight Monsters, now she injured herself gravely". The man gave her the freedom she wanted , very reluctantly, yes. But THAT is a character development
If that is your standard for character development, then it's no wonder fans continue to support Riftan despite his clear like of meaningful behavioral change. Keep in mind, this "development" does not happen until the *very end* of book 2. I'm talking the final chapters, lol. To each their own, but no, him reluctantly giving in to his wife's stubbornness is not character development. He never takes accountability, never truly apologizes for ever doubting competency, and only allows her freedom because he knows Maxi will just rebel against him anyway.
Well of course it might appear slow. But you must also take into account the timeline. At that time, women did not have any say in anything except taking care of the household and looking pretty. Look at Maxi's father for instance. For their timeline, his behavior regarding his daughters is absolutely normal. Beating, hitting, striking and silencing their women/daughters is supposed to be the usual. Princess Agnes, same. She is not the heir so she has a little more freedom, and fortunately, she was also gifted with powerful magic. But the king also wanted to wed her without much of her consent.
So what I mean is, when we talk about character development, we must take into account a lot of thing. We cannot expect a medieval man to act like a modern man. Riftan already conceded a lot of things and that matters. I mean please, the man was not ready for this. His wife in the mud, bleeding like she has gone through hell? He already feels like he is a nobody, like he will never be worthy of her, and that is really the absolutely strike for him. So we cannot hate him for feeling protective
I swear to God, if you want to give your opinion then I respect it but not with misinformation. I know Riftan is insufferable and many didn't like his character including me but do not give misinformation especially in the later part of the book.
I advise for non novel reader; either wait for the manhwa or go read the novel and rate it yourself. I swear this story worth your every little time and money spend on it. Do not listen to the spoilers. Idk what happened but some spoiler are incorrect totally different than the novel.
spoiler:
the one that said Riftan send her back to her father - WRONG!! She went back to the capital bcs the princess suggested the royal magician is better at treating her almost zero magic fuel exhaustion. I read this part multiple times bcs I was frustrated with Maxi. Why Maxi? WHYYY??!!! urghh I just want to grab her by the shoulder and scream this (╯°Д °)╯╧╧
the scene that leads her decision to magic tower - Riftan tried his best so that she will not go to the tower as Maxi didn't want it too but finally she gave in as she thought it's the best option they have.