Damn.
This has to be one of the most extreme betrayals I've ever seen. Its almost worse in a way than others because it is so obvious he doesn't, and never did, see her as a person, just an entertaining toy.
Ngl I like Diabel so far. He's accurate to his nature as a demon which ends up a double edged sword to the fl at times. Kinda refreshing because he adds more to conflict rather than an obedient lap dog yes man to the FL, unlike most other demon mls(idk if he's endgame tho).And it drives the conflict more because the FL has to make her own move instead of just bossing him around and getting it eventually. Rooting for him because I like drama and frankly I've seen to much other the other dude in other manhwas, the enemy that has a secret soft side type. And his personality is also very fun.
Very interesting take on an audience’s relationship with the protagonist. An easy life with an automatic happy ending might be ideal to us as humans but boring from an outsider’s pov. A protagonist who seemingly has no flaws and/or gets everything handed to them on a plate is generally disliked and the work itself would often be deemed as lacking in depth. Without any hardships or conflicts, the story becomes flat and not deserving of an audience’s time or emotional investment. Ultimately it’s really a character’s suffering (and subsequent growth) that makes the audience root for them.
Based on the assumption that Ayana’s hardships were not orchestrated by Diabel, his actions are perfectly in line with what we would expect from an audience member. He didn’t intervene when Ayana suffered because that was part of the story that he was there to see. He stayed with her through the years to follow her journey and enjoy the story as a fan. In the end, he turned back time for her because he loved Ayana the character and was unsatisfied with her ending. Despite Ayana’s feelings of betrayal, at no point was Diabel malicious towards her. Ironically, it’s only his love for her story that she even gets a second chance.
Both fascinating and infuriating to watch the FL who knows everything, and could easily resolve the situation be completely shut down by social conventions.
Ah well it'll make her triumph all the sweeter.