beta
it's so frustrating to see elements you love in a story you hate because of a shitty ML. I love the premise of a loyal general who hides his feelings towards the emperor. I love that the general is strong on his own right. I love that the empress' character is complex and he isn't just a vindictive person and he does to some degree understand that the fault falls on the asshole emperor.
at the same time, I despise everything about the emperor. He isn't even one of those morally grey characters who are assholes to everyone but their love interest. If anything, he is the worst to the general