I totally see where your coming from and will agree with you in many cases, but with this story I feel that Diana was full on manipulating Kael, so much so that he seemed somewhat tricked into thinking he loved her so she could have more power. I don't think she realized what she was doing, but it was definitely coming from a place of greed, so I see it as Kael though was manipulated into thinking he loved her, as though kinda against his own will, especially since it was written into his character.
With Hess, however, Kael got to choose to love her himself. I hope that makes sense. On top of all of that, Diana was the only woman he really knew at the time and he likely would have felt fierce competition against his best friend for her. Just like how danger can make us believe we love people we haven't gotten to know well enough to make that conclusion, something of that nature can often convince someone who feels only a simple attraction to another, into thinking they're full on in love if only because it feels like there is some kind of looming time limit imposed upon them with the weight of “I have to fall fast or I may be too late! I don't want to risk losing them.”
The main differences I see between the two women that effect this, in my opinion:
Diana:
1. Uses her powers in a way she thinks is expected of her and assumes will also help others.
2. Follows a strict agenda because it has helped others in the past and is hearing about what she believes helps.
3. Because she is the Saintess, she believes the church and God must come first, even if (although to her credit she's way too one dimensional to realize) the church has become corrupt and by putting them first no longer helps anyone but it's members..
4. Doesn't know what love truly means but demands it from others anyway.
Hess:
1. Used her power to help Kael, and it nearly always helps others, or she puts in the effort it takes to let it also help others.
2. Pays attention and becomes flexible so if what she believed helped in the past no longer helps, she changes to sit the situation at hand.
3. Puts herself first only when doing so is the best way to help others too. Thinks about the whole situation and picks the people to help that will have the best area of effect of help to all those around her.
4. Has a very blurred line between love and obsession, but knows this so well that she not only can't even begin to fathom that the person she was infatuated with might be in love with her, but also that she has fallen so deeply in love with him too, moreso than just as a fangirl.
omg same I'm just sticking here for my girl hes
I completely understand but tbf I don't hold it against him since he didn't commit to Hestia until he moved on from Diana. So Hestia was definately not his backup option. Also Diana was incredibly manipulative and lead Kael on until she didnt need him anymore.
Diana is the first person Kael falls in love with, regardless how or why. But what makes me okay with this story is that after he agreed to marry Hestia, he doesn't blindly side with Diana and he made it to himself that his love for Diana is over before he actually falls for Hestia. I guess, what makes him likable is he doesn't go wishy-washy with his actions, unlike other ml who often doesn't end their previous love before starting to fall for another person/MC.
Huh? I'm not hating on Kael, If anything I'm praising his character. Before he fell for Hestia, he made it clear to himself already that his previous love is over. This is why I like this story, the ml here isn't someone who goes back in forth between two people.
Auto correct... It's "Back and forth"
Mb, I misunderstood. But yes, this is something I love about this story. ML is a gem
I dislike it when ml or fl have a bit*h past love... Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike Kael... but characters with a miserable first love in some story. Like when a ml has a first love and they only come to love the mc after he realised who's been sincerely loving and doing things for him. That kind of plot is very annoying and common, it makes me feel like the MC is a second option because of the convenient comfort she brings after a tragic love of the ml and some even choose to take the side of the first love bit*h over MC who's done everything for him. Only to realise MC is actually the one who's been at his side.
A perfect example is "I Wont Accept Your Regrets". If kael hesitated to attack Diana, especially when Diana is obvious with her hatred towards Hestia, then I would definitely hated Kael.