I agree for the most part. My wife and I brought up secrets soon after we moved in together. We spilled our secrets while we were living together before we were married. Neither of us went in to marriage with secrets. It was very difficult, more so for her than me. We both wanted to go in to it eyes open. The time for secrets is before marriage not after it. I know that is an ideal and life is not that black and white.Well, GOA, that is just the point, there is no secret anymore, the cat came out of the box, as Kaija, put her ovaries together and told the truth in chapter 2.
Also to take in consideration, is that the "Relationship, is not so long, only about 1 a half year, as couple, there was a long friendship before, yes, but that alone is not a reason to spill all secrets, plus there are things, that she had to keep secret due to the oath she swore as she joined the Knight Templar order.
Anyway the much darker secret is kept by MC's father and Hilda his mother.
I can completely understand that you and your wife IRL don't have secrets from each other, as do I with my queen of heart, we even are to some point "ruthless" sincere and open towards each other, (what with our temper is..let's say not boring at all)
to get to this level in the VN MC and Kaija have to grow together so to speak and make their "marital contract"
Edit: ThorinKing MC has really no other option, as to dance to the music of the events unfolding in both world, plus his sister is sucked in as well,
The fact remains Kaija should never have moved in with the MC if she wasn't serious about the relation or prepared to give up her secrets. She let him waste the prime of his life on her.
That of course makes the parents even more despicable knowing their son was in a dead end relationship, that his girlfriend was not what she seemed, and they supported it. Damn, Deja Vu moment.
Your analysis isn't completely off. I have certainly joined my share of causes when I was healthier. I just have trouble with "most men". I'm not sure most men would but plenty would yes. By the same token, their are plenty of women who do the same thing as well. If I had a coin for every time I have heard a woman say over the years, that she wants an honest man, while she lies and cheats her way through another relationship, I'd be rich.Granted - my analysis does assume you'd be willing to join a cause greater than yourself to begin with. Those that would be unwilling to join an organization such as the Templars wouldn't be in the position. Then again, most men will get really bent about being lied to while thinking little of it the other way around - just open your eyes to the world around you if you don't believe that.
Thankfully not every woman is the same or I'd be living the lonely old life of a hermit instead of being married to one of the most awesome women I've ever met. I do get your point though and its a fair point. Sorry if I'm being a bit grumpy.