You know, I often do love this type of character as well. (actually any time a character as their Eyes Always Shut and a Cheshire Cat Grin, and has a double or triple agenda and is hiding things, I'm pretty much garanteed to adore them ^^ (and I don't much care if they were neutral, evil, or good)

And the cranky, Rival/Antagonist turned Lancer type is usually of among my favourite as well (even if I usually like to mock them ^_^)

I've no idea why such character gets hatred, but character bashing in general puzzles me. Usually it comes from idiots and very young people in my experience, but I understand it being wearisome and annoying especially when you keep seeing it again and again :( that's why sane_insertfandomname_fan communities are made for. One should have more of those types of comms.