Responses
SPOILERS
I've read the novel just a bit over the point you've described but I feel like Ian has been in love with Michele all along, he's just in denial. After all he almost got himself killed trying to get Michele back from the fake game keeper that kidnapped him, that said I do hope he does learn how to express his love better and stops making Michele suffer so much. And you're right about Katya, she didn't deserve to be sent off brutally like that because she is a victim too, I hope she survives and keeps thriving.
Can someone spoil one thing for me does the ml ever like fall head over heels for the Mc?? Cuz i have been reading the novel and the ml is just a fuxcing lizard bro like all he does is plot and want to kill tge mc by his own hands and plot again and wife katya is his daughter TT why he treating her like shit hope she actually survives the barbarian lands and comes back to gut his ass