To be fair, he didn't grow up in a healthy environment either, abuse grows with you, the fact that he's still sane in itself is an achievement, usually people who grew up the same way he did tend to take a more dark route
I wouldn't be sane to after my girlfriend (who I love with all my heart) tried to kill my legal wife and nearly started a war. It's realistic, no one would be Able to stand strong after what had happened to the emperor. I think it will take a long time for the empress to fall in love with the emperor because he really isn't in the right mental state
Yeah I get that, but the way the author portrays him is still just so unattractive and bland it's really hard to root for him and the empress.
He's just so lame, spineless and undeserving of the Empress for all the shit he's done. He's the perfect example of a man-child. He looks like an egg head with that slicked back hair too.
I don't think the author will manage to make me root for the two tbh.