I think he did what he did as a kid because he wasn’t getting the attention from his father. But it scarred (and scared) him and that is what led to him wanting to get away and stay away.
Yes, I think he is going to have to make tough decisions and become the person he ran away to avoid becoming.
I liked his solution to the rival faction plotting mayhem at the wedding-having one of them at each table to keep the place from being blown up-that was diplomatic...