Responses
I think the problem is that the empress is too domineering and selfish. She doesn’t really see Genas for who he is, and imo I think she’s got too much of a sadistic streak to treat him properly as a romantic partner. Granted we don’t get too much about Genas and the empress, but my impression of the empress is that she’s a bit like a cat playing with her food, and the amusement she gets from being with Genas is enough for her, which is why she doesn’t care about how much Genas clearly detests her. She knows the problem is her own self but she doesn’t care because she has exactly what she wants.
I really wanted to like the empress cause I love strong, no BS women. But the dude is traumatized. If only she didn’t force him to have sex with her and let him heal from his previous weird relationship. They could’ve been a cute pair, as a tough girl and soft boy couple.