Exactly, I liked how author wrote this because unlike same plot, often ML will tell everything to the fl and, I hope you noticed that when he took her to the Frankler estate what he said to her. He is in pain more than anyone, even high priest said so, emperor is protecting that family. Meaning her family is well trusted and respected, and using black magic to make her fall into coma, he carried the guilty of not being able to save her.
He's loyal to her only and trying to check as true guardian of the empire and as fiancee that Freya is actually real one, she's connected to empire's future.that would cost them if he behave recklessly because he loves her. He's doing both his duty as GD and her future partner.
CP from other nation is a villain because he probably knows her real identity and mentally abusing her that she couldn't recognise because he saved her.
When I saw that the ml was looking for someone I thought he was trying to find sia,but turns out he was looking for freya and all the romanticism was in my head.That was dissappointing. It is an interesting read though,just the ml is in love with his fiance(which yay loyalty, a rare trait) and not the enemy knight comrade he has known longer.(never mind that they are the same person). ML is a green flag so I will continue reading this.