Everything is wrapped around her fingers
Idk why y'all are reading this since everyone knows who the ML is. MC was introduced as someone who doesn't speak her mind and therefore misunderstood, but she also said that she never really tried to correct any misunderstanding because it benefits her in some way. Her reputation is shallow, her servants think she's hostile and the social circle knows her as just a pretty face. She was never the kind to help the poor but she was never really evil either. Ultimately she decides to change because she doesn't want to die. Her wanting to change how she is perceived and communicating with the ML is obviously going to influence the guy. He hasn't killed her, she didn't regress, the book is warning her of a possible future.