Hello, idk if this will help but please keep on reading! The empress is the most annoying of all, and that doesnt really change the fact the she wont.. change? She will be like that throughout the story.. However, the character development of Etienne/MC is the most important of all. I was also frustrated on how long the MC endured and not get help... He will come to his senses and trust himself onwards (although, it did take a while). But ofc I'm not forcing you or anything and your opnion matters! Have a great journey of reading! (*^▽^)/★*☆

I'm on chapter 13 right now and I don't like any of the characters I especially hate the empress because she's so annoying. Mc doesn't have balls to go against his mother either (which is lowkey not his fault bcs that's how his mother raised him) but still it's frustrating to see. Therefore i consider this a waste of time I'm dropping ts good bye ig....