Awwww;;;

Shuraka really just wants to have an oasis of peace in his kingdom full of backstabbing and treachery. He’s trying to hide its state from Tei, and have him relax and be a housewife, or like a pampered pet. A place both of them can FINALLY rest.
But he’s too busy to actually talk to Tei about what HE wants, so he snatches moments whenever he can, he feels bad he can’t spend all his time with him while also not wanting to scare him.

Tei came out of duty, and longing. He does love Shuraka but is balancing the past and the present, where he was expected to be a leader and fighter, that proves his worth and the role of empress, which entails?? Lounging around?

He’s not comfortable with the current status bc he thinks Shuraka is treating him as a trophy wife instead of a partner, and the meager responsibilities he’s given are symbolic only. He feels his worth is only valid if he is useful.

So what I see coming is dealing with each others insecurities in the midst of palace drama.
Tei knowing he can just be without needing to prove he’s useful.
And Shuraka that he can be accepted for the way he is, that how he acted was him adapting to his environment, forging survival mechanisms that are still useful today.
Maybe Mushnu betrayal? Or his sister.
And both of them working together in order to oversee the kingdom, so Tei being an active participant in politics and the military, and Shuraka letting go of his control over Tei.