those who says they're neutral are just enablers. in a sense, if you just watch abuse happening doing nothing, then you're just as bad as the perpetrators.
If I had to defend and explain it:
1. She's a pretty woman, so it's very easy to forgive her
2. I think the Empress did pay and is still paying off the karma. She saw her own daughter burn, and is now actively trying to strenghten and protect her and her family to avoid anything bad coming their way. Imo that should count as part of her redemption.
3. This dilemma is just part of her character and I like that she is that way. She's still kinda selfish (now that selfishness includes her family's well-being too tho) and makes mistakes by being too reckless or too cautious. By no means a perfect mother, far from it, but she is trying.
4. Lilica's the victim here and has already forgiven her - if part of that happiness is seeing her mom be happy too, let them be.
With that said, your feelings are perfectly valid but imo the story handled her side of things pretty well for now. I'm sure there's still events and moments to be seen where she got to work hard and sweat it out, to further cement her redemption.
been thinking about this but Lyrica's mom ain't having a redemption arc. for me, that is. although it's a matter of morality and ethics, I stand opposed to see her in a better light. she could be great but I still don't like her.