I think there's been this ongoing debate about Ruve in the Abandoned Empress and a lot are still torn how this ruthless man can suddenly turn into a likable character. I guess this is my two-cents about it (a short thread):

At the beginning of the story, we saw how he mistreated the FL and her family and even had the FL killed in the prologue. I hated him so much at that point ugh. The succeeding chapters showed how the FL really did her best to avoid him, make a path for herself and well--

take her chances in hopes she won't have to marry him in the future. All the trauma and hurt comes back to her when he comes near. Then he meets Cabbage haired boi and Carsein and various events begin to unfold. Cabbage boi turned out to be manipulative and--

power hungry yandere who eventually realized his mistakes and decided to move away to atone. Carsein on the other hand is our best boi who continues to be this comedic and wholesome character in the series. So what with Ruve right????!!! Adgjdkaahafshkd. Read ahead ---

Suddenly he becomes this ML with a troubled past and apparently shares a deep admiration for the FL's mother (probably because he has no good mother figure I can't remember). Then we're shown in an unexpected turn of events how he's starting to have FEELINGS for Tia (the nerve) -

And at that point, I too, as a reader, started to feel confused just like our FL. BUT since I'm not the FL and I got plenty of time in my hands to reflect (jk I'm swamped with work) I came into the realization that this current Ruve and that old shitass Ruve are two diff people--

I mean, that's the whole point of a reincarnation or go back in time story trope--- second chances. And how can we hold the current Ruve accountable (or I guess, hate him to the very depths of hell for hurting Tia) when he doesn't know what's gonna happen in the future? ---

How can we hold him accountable for the events that he has no idea about and pre-judge him in the current timeline I think that's one of the reasons why we see Tia looking a little less weary around him now. While we haven't been given a full picture of her thoughts--

Maybe she realized herself that this Ruve is a younger (prolly less jaded) character who still has a long way to go with regards to his choices and actions. Let's have mutual hate on early and older Ruve but let's give the current Ruve a chance --- is what I'm trying to say ---

BUT ANYWAY CARSEIN IS STILL BEST BOI. If he doesn't end up with Tia then I hope he ends up with a nice girl

-- End of thread.