Everyone including him thought that he was abandoned, but no, his father just want to protect him and want to help him secure the throne by doing so, cuz once he went there, the northern border army will be involved, since they're involved they have no choice but to help him.

He received kindness from the old general and been doing his best to protect the family and the border that was entrusted to him. It's sad cuz he had even dug his own grave preparing to die at any time, but it was understandable considered where he came from

the forced persuasion of ML was really tough to read and especially what he did to the MC was needless to say very off-putting, but well MC falls in love with the ML when ML realises his mistake. But idk why until the very end I felt that the progression of their relationship seemed unnatural to read. Yes, towards the end they do become a great couple with a sweet kid but honestly the chemistry between them is not something to go gaga over.