FL is initially fairly indifferent to the commoner girl (CG), neither likes or dislikes) and intended to stay out of the way of the love triangle between CG, prince (second prince who I will call Princeling) and villainess prospective princeling fiancée. FL is not particularly cold, warm or quirky— she's quite normal and actually relatable.

CG is the typical ogFL type loudly monologuing about egalitarian academy rules, Princeling openly backs the commoner and is cold to his rumoured prospective fiancée and Prospective Fiancée is a villainess. FL saw that situation and did actually try to nope herself outta there.

Because of forced proximity and bc CG was friendly and nice (FL is warm and the type to return good will), she becomes friends. She recognizes that the love triangle is kinda shady from the Prince but compartmentalizes it as she starts a friendship with CG (friends but not really bff friends you know?). And FL also sees objectively that Prospective Fiancée is also a power-tripping mean girl so she smartly avoids her. FL recognizes the power imbalance villainess lackeys experience and how it could be her, so she didn't hold a grudge. She makes friends with one that accidentally hits her with a prank meant for CG (ordered by villainess). She's pretty average from her pov: decent to good grades, looks etc. with her standout trait being her patience/composure. Tho this may be unreliable narrator bc her maternal family is famously pretty (she claims to resemble her average dad) and she stood out to ML. FL doesn't fall into the category of annoying self depreciation or annoying ogFL (in this case CG) glazer. She looks at people in an relatively objective manner.

ML is a puppy love ML. ML is struck with first love (tho not at first sight bc FL is a lowkey girl) and earnestly makes his best effort to make a good impression and try to date. There isn't any set moment that made it happen, but FL is cute (pretty green eyes), composed and polite— it just happened. To explain... He initially notices how she keeps getting struck by unfortunate pranks, but shakes each incident off largely unbothered. Then as he watches her he starts thinking she is so pretty and follows her. He's not overly pushy but clearly is intentionally trying to appeal to FL. She's not weirdly avoidant or overly sensitive, she treats him like a peer— just a handsome one she sometimes wonders why is always around. One example of his antics being waiting around where he has met her before hoping to "accidentally" run into her or sucking up to his friend without shame to get her schedule. Another is letting her use his clothes to shield her, asking her on a not-date that absolutely is a date. He is high specs, handsome and competent but is the supporting characters type— not a prince, duke or even family heir. As mentioned he is one of the second prince's aides. Princeling is kinda narcissistic so at times he has ML stand a bit away so Princeling can bask in the protagonist attention more.

FL keeps taking Ls because CG is wearing a charm that passes misfortune onto the person closest to her and steals their fortune. This eventually leads to the villainess's curse being passed onto FL instead of CG. This feels kinda like betrayal because of how the FL-CG friendship was kind of foisted onto her by CG and especially Princeling— who is highkey a stereotypical pathetic loser ex fiancée in an average villainess story who is using CG for political clout. It's a bit sad bc they were close and CG helping FL with schoolwork and them having "girl talks" was cute. It's sad bc FL had initially been trying to avoid the drama of CG-Princeling-ProspectiveFiancée, but being a nice kid— FL responded to CG trying to be friends. All while CG knew she was pushing misfortune onto FL. Obviously meaning she didn't see FL as a real friend, even though FL who wasn't looking for friendship at the beginning DID see CG as one. It wasn't entirely malicious— because CG earnestly helped with school and gave good advice on choosing classes which contributed to FL's future career.

Technically speaking CG was one half of a cheating pair in the love triangle with Princeling and Prospective Fiancée. It's not entirely fair to blame CG because the Princeling IS a prince and his support as a sponsor obviously means a lot as a commoner, but technically it was public knowledge that Princeling was informally engaged to the prospective fiancée villainess. But CG went to the first ball at the academy wearing a luxurious matching dress with the Princeling. That is kinda white lotus green tea behaviour. On the other hand Prospective Fiancée is kinda a b— who picks on CG instead of Princeling who actually has some sort of obligation towards her, and powertrips other students to do her dirty work. FL was actually kinda real for initially wanting to stay outta this mess.

FL ends up leaving the academy, and FL/ML are broken up for years. With the help of her advisor FL is modestly living her dream to work in a magic shop and not be married. ML is apparently less subtle and more jealous now that he is older. When he did learn about the Princeling's scheme which harmed FL, he drops Princeling as a friend and refuses to serve him anymore. He chooses to be a knight on the frontier instead. He eventually reunites with FL in the capital, they realize they still like each other (well FL does after a push from ML).

Despite ML being a passionate pursuer, it seems the story does not end with marriage. Apparently the overarching political intrigue and villain storyline is kinda vague and ambiguous. I suppose this is fine bc FL/ML aren't the center pieces of that storyline anyways.

Not totally confirmed but I think the spoilers indicate that Princeling doesn't manage to get married to CG and he doesn't win the throne. Insert Simpson's Nelson laugh: Haa Hah. Get Rekt selfish attention hoe.