I kinda agree, i think if not Heiner, someone else would've been their downfall seeing how much shit the dad was involved in. Also people do ignore the fact that our mc did witness suppression of the voices of general public but chose to ignore it, probably also the fact that her family didn't let her get involved. I think she too was a victim of her familys wrongdoings.
I also think Heiner never got the chance to actually get help either before mc left him, he went from having continuous trauma to then having a huge responsibility. It's also shown throughout the first half about he is conflicted in his own emotions and head.
I personally, love both of them and don't blame any of them for what happened, but the situation that they were in.
Same I do love them both! I've just written this out of frustration because some readers can't seem to see that they are both suffering from traumatic experiences no matter what the differences is. They tend to take on Annette's side without fully understanding Heiner or the world they are currently in, it's not just revolving on Annette's personal life but on everyone's else!
It's irritating to see posts of people saying the "before him and after" effect implying that Heiner was the Villain and ruined the perfectly angelic Annette. In modern terms she's a NEPO BABY, y'all wouldn't treat her the same if she was in modern times (Given example to a daughter of a corrupt politician in the Philippines being driven to depression and public opinion doesn't give a single fuck).
Her luxurious privilege is built on hardships of common people meaning a "Corrupt Daughter of a Royal", she didn't even used to acknowledge on how she lived like that. Meeting Heiner teached her a valuable lesson in her life. And no I'm not justifying what Heiner did was right as to abuse her emotionally and mentally for her to commit, it was their hardships together that made her realize things and heal herself by putting boundaries. What I'm implying is fully grasp the concept and situation, she isn't going to live a better life by living off on the blood, sacrifices of her own people and getting dolled up without having a single clue about it. Without Heiner's revenge more innocent orphans and slaves would have suffer a similar fate to Heiner's.
Although Heiner's backstory is traumatic and tragic which likely affected his mental state, his character development could've been much more better if he learned on how to heal himself/live for himself not relying on Annette to have the will to live.