Sorrow-in-Winter

I can't get enough with these panels.

Winter has always been capable and skilled ever since he was young. When his father died early, he was left with no choice and was forced to take over the position as the head of his house. But even though he became the marquis at a young age, he had shown how capable he was for the role.

It seems amazing, right? Until you realize that someone so young was carrying so many burdens on his shoulders. Let's also not forget the fact that he is no ordinary person and a boy who possesses mana, and he's living in a world where people like him are hated and oppressed. It's no doubt that he will grow paranoid, distrustful, independent, and secretive.

However, one thing that I often find admirable about him is how he stayed kind and helpful towards others, especially to people who are oppressed like him. I wonder if he sees himself in his students when he first met them.

Now, let's change the topic and discuss the fandom's attitude towards him. Let's just say that the fandom is very unfair when it comes to Winter, he is so heavily mischaracterized and even ends up as one of the most hated characters in the manhwa. Make no mistake. I know that he isn't all fluffy and innocent, but the hate he got is too much, especially if you try to understand his character.

To be honest I'm done with fans who just treat him as a mere love interest who supposedly only woos Penelope or do anything for her, and if he didn't it will automatically translate to "He just used her, he never cared about her". Please, he has many things on his plate. He is a marquis, he runs a guild, he does volunteer, he teaches his students, and lastly, he is actively fighting against an enemy whose whereabouts are unknown. Is he supposed to abandon all his duties so easily for a girl he barely knows? (because they rarely met). But then again, it doesn't mean he doesn't care about her. In fact, he's one of the few people who always notices the sadness she's feeling on the inside. He comforts her whenever she's feeling down. He always lends her a hand if she needs some help. He always respects her decision. Lastly, he also apologizes when he has done something wrong.

Let's not forget the scene where he turned back time/past timeline.

"Everything is his fault"

"He didn’t take any accountability"

"He's the only one who made Penelope suffer"

"He sacrificed Penelope"

Oh, I don't know how many times I've seen comments like this, but IT'S FINE.

IT'S NOT LIKE you excuse what the other mls did to Penelope in the past because they're brainwashed, and forget that Winter is brainwashed too but act like he isn't.

IT'S NOT LIKE you forgot how remorseful he was when he realized the truth— he blamed himself for being so foolish and he sacrificed himself by turning back time and burning himself alive.

IT'S NOT LIKE the novel stated that the others contributed to her suffering, too.

Lastly, IT'S NOT LIKE the novel stated that the one HE SACRIFICED IS HIMSELF.

My playlist on shuffle:

Imagine a principled man who takes his morals seriously, confess on how he broke his beliefs to help and protect you then you replied with "I think the problem lies in your morals" bwahhahaha

I can still picture how Winter laughed incredulously at her statement.