Spoiler warning, that "crush" MC has right now is understandable. His whole life has never been his choices, he was practically FORCED to live for Leewon. The crush could or not have been true, but that was all he had to hold on. And then when MC realized he is in love with ML and determine to show that love, he was sold, neglected, and beaten (like physically). Hell, he has been brainwashed and used, abused even all the time but only until that moment did it come clear. This is the type of MC that the more you read, the more you understand the psychological reason why he is that way, though I would argue that his gentle and steady character really helps him keep his composure
This piqued my interest so I read the novel, and I adore the main couple. I don't understand why some people complain about MC so much in the first few chapters here though, like god forbid he has one sided love and it is hard to move on? Come on, chat. Get your mind out of the gutter. He has a good character and nice development overall, and deals with so much that it is honestly impressive he handled himself so well mentally. He is not perfect, but bashing him and drop the story when it barely started, I say your loss not mine.