I think it has to do with context. Like in yaoi for example sexual assault and rape is basically never acknowledged by the narrative which makes it easier to excuse (this is not a good thing obviously, but its so common that if you like BL, you kinda have to become more forgiving). In this, though, we see that it was acknowledged from her first appearance. She is a rapist and its portrayed negatively, so of course people reading it will see it negatively. If she was just possessive and shitty to others, then I would say she's a yandere more deserving of sympathy or even love, but she's clearly not. She outwardly abuses the emperor. You can love her for being a fucked up evil character, but to love her given her actions towards Genas would be and should be hard given she is clearly a bad person. A yandere ML is shoujo would also be hated if he sexually assaulted the FL. They dont tend to do that though, since authors in shoujo are more cognizant of the bad optics of that and instead opt for the more psychological possessive attitude. If a male character in a manga was introduced from their first appearance as a rapist, I doubt people would like them, which is exactly what happened here. I don't think she is meant to be liked at all and I think the narrative going forward will support that with Genas leaving her.
Like we have yet to see her do anything redeeming. If we saw the same thing from a male character, I think the audience would react similarly. If they were the mains characters, then she is the villain relationship that Genas must bring himself out of once he finds his true love.
I’m not defending the empress btw i’m just pointing out the double standards bc its funny that ppl don’t realize the so called “marriage of convenience” where women are forced to marry men they don’t like for the sake of their country or family etc. are basically all rapes/dubcon too. What i’m saying is its toxic that there are manhwas that romanticize forced marriages or prostitution when its basically paid rape.
There is Definitely a bit of a double standard. Like if she was a man and the emperor a woman then someway somehow the emperor would rationalize all of her actions and somehow still forgive and fall in love with this person. However and in fairness it would not be without a significant amount of effort from that woman. And an even more significant level of groveling and begging for forgiveness. I don't think any of that will happen they will probably just kill her off lol
Ok but the empress is literally just the genderbend version of toxic yandere male lead that some women love so much. Its just that when its a male character acting this way ppl romanticize it