I like that Wesley isn't a caricature of a sneaky misogynist who expresses his right to possess Annabel in a crude manner. In fact he defends her when he thinks she's not being treated with enough respect while Lenore tries to balance playing the typical man and respecting Annabel. With varying success I must say.
Although strictly speaking he is defending Annabel's noble rank. He is opposing Lenore, not the lecherous comments of other men. Interesting.
And ooh Annabel is not thrilled about his arrival. Her expression looks somewhat unnatural here, as if she is trying to smile warmly but is actually hiding her fear. Maybe it's a pose. The way she holds her dress with her free hand.
It's one thing if she's afraid of Lenore's reaction. Annabel clearly didn't expect Wesley to follow her to another continent and even Ira deliberately didn't mention the betrothal to Leo hoping he could become another candidate for his daughter's hand.
But webtoon comments mentioned that Annabel was more willing to marry a random stranger than her supposed childhood friend. And now her fear makes sense: if she believes marriage is inevitable, why waste time? Why take risks when you have a man you know well at your disposal? Well, maybe you know him well enough to know that he's the greater of two evils.
ellievsbear
tangentwithtanner
