I will say, I don't think Il Palazzo's intent is malicious. He doesn't understand Excel; he has yet to figure out that she's incompetent, for one, and I doubt he even realizes that she loves him. And he's not only completely freaking nuts (I'm not convinced that both of his personalities even realize he HAS abandoned Excel), but is also completely under Miwa's thumb right now, and probably has been for a longer time than anybody suspects...
BUT ANYWAY.
Yes, the series is undoubtedly drawing to a close. I don't know how much longer it will take, because it's just a slow-paced manga, but MAJOR THINGS have been happening nearly every chapter lately.