As someone who tried reading at your word but couldn't get past the first chapter, can you tell me what's so good about such an asshole prince?
Well, I'm not saying he is good in the first chapter. He is certainly an asshole to start off with. Though some of is it misunderstood false rumors, some of it is 100% him being an asshole. The fun and beauty of the story is watching him change for the better as things go and he falls for her. And although a jerk with his words, I can't remember any instance where he gets even close to crossing a line (Im aware thats a low bar but within this genere I have seen some seriously toxic abusive behaviour get passed over like its nothing) I can't remember all the details of this story by now. but from what I remember: (spoilers)
After she speaks her mind that first time, it catches his eye, especially because her choice ended up being the right one. After a few more awkwardly navigated encounters, the prince starts to take a liking to her and has her assigned as his primary maid, mainly thinking she's better than what he's had so far. She sees him having an episode and unknowingly saves him /stops it. She starts getting bullied by others who are jealous that she's becoming known as the crown princess favourite. The crown prince saves her after she delivers some whoop ass (though she takes quite a beating herself tbh) they grow closer and the princes attitude has changed much more to a cheeky playful annoyance. She helps put one of his enemies behind bars. They make a deal that she will help him become emperor as long as he takes her as one of his people and let's her serve him his whole life (securing her future). and then we continue from there.
I loved it. I don't know why some people didn't like it, but i thought it was great! It certainly sped up toward the end, but, I still loved it.