
I haven’t read the novel yet, but I saw the differences from the original plot in the comments, and I just don’t get it. Why make Etienne a naive, easily flustered prince if he’s supposed to be a brilliant strategist? Why make Richard such an annoying bastard who never listens or does the right thing if he’s supposed to be a supportive green flag? Why was Ben hurt so badly if it has zero impact on the dramatic tone and we basically never see him again? And where’s the emperor? Where are Etienne’s health issues?
I’ve even forgotten what the empress’s goals were, and I don’t understand her plan anymore. Why not use Richard’s love for Etienne to control him now that she knows about it, like "give me an alpha grandson with Etienne, or let him have a child with Theodore, and I’ll leave you both alone so you can live happily ever after somewhere forgotten" instead of marrying him off to Antoine? Or at least just gaslight them even more for her own advantage? Why does the plot keep going in circles like this?? Why does the empress seem way less organized, and Etienne and his allies so much dumber or useless or just... not there anymore???

She wants Etty to become King so that House Herace (she and her family) will have the power. The power is divided between the imperial party (the current king and his supporters) and House Herace. So if Etty because the king then imperial party and house Herace would be controlled by him, hence giving more power to the current queen. She is just after the power.

Oh my.
I think I’ve been brainwashed too. Now I’m rooting for them so hard, as they somehow managed to transcend trauma and abuse to find happiness in a joyful-ish stockholm syndrome? Wtf did this story do to me? I usually crave healthy, non-toxic relationships and absolutely hate the abuse to romance trope. But this one hits really differently. I have so many mixed feelings. These two went through so much... and the MC was suffering so much even before being kidnapped...
Now what’s better? Going back to a dull, anxiety-and-loneliness-filled reality? Or accepting this twisted fiction love that’s close to becoming real?
And red guy does not help at all. I hate him so much when he’s like “I was tamed, that was the only way.” He LITERALLY knows the MC is deeply scared and depressed, and somehow he thinks the right approach is... being distant, cold, and not reassuring at all? No communication, no suggestion to get therapy for the abandonment issues? And now he’s just in full jealous angry psycho mode. He sucks.
Rishar... (╯°Д °)╯╧╧