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Tarot Cats 

First of all, he lost his wife to Mr. Richards. He was forced to kick her out because of her betrayal, but still let her in once she had nowhere to turn. (Even if she was pregnant with a baby that wasn't his.)

Then he was forced to endure Mr. Richards everywhere he went with all of that jerk's condescending comments about Ernest's wife. And through it all he had to act relatively calm in order to protect his late wife's reputation. (Which, if you think about it, is amazing.)

Then Mr. Richards tarnished Ernest's reputation because of all the help he gave the "women of ill repute".

Of course, as he falls for MC, he has to see how she continues hanging around Mr. Richards. Not only is she entertaining Ernest's worst enemy, she also lets him be around her when he's the worst person she could ever deserve, and that probably broke Ernest's heart.

If you romance him, Ernest is hurt another time. Because until he found a woman he truly loves and who loves him back, Mr. Richards comes again and shatters his dreams. (Think how much Ernest's heart shattered when the grandmother announced MC's engagement.)

And again for the Ernest romancers, the duel happens. Ernest decides he can't take more of Mr. Richards' cruel interventions, so he decides to do something once and for all. But then guess what? He's shot in his side (and almost dies), and even worse (for him)- he can't see MC, the love of his life, anymore.

But somehow he still has hope, still believes in him and MC.

Let me just mention here the part when Mr. Richards elbows Ernest where he was shot. Like OMG die already.

If that wasn't enough, Ernest was forced to come to a wedding where the love of his life/one of his best friends gets married to one of the most evil men he knows, knowing full well that he would probably see her getting married. Think how much suffering that thought brought him: the knowledge of how much she would suffer and how Mr. Richards will use her. (If he almost raped her in Book 1, think how bad he could've been after they were married.)

And now, after everything was resolved, Ledford Park was set on fire. Yet Ernest tries to move past it, and with MC by his side he finds the courage to do it.

In conclusion? Ernest is absolutely amazing and strong and he deserves all the appreciation in the world.