beta
I like how they make it clear that the reason the Empire is destined to lose this war is because of the people in charge of government. The Imperial government didn't manage their policies correctly (international relations, taking action when needed, etc) and that's the real reason they will lose.
We see time and time again, the Imperial army has all these talented people in key positions and they keep winning battles and coming up with new ideas. But it's obvious that military action alone is not enough to sustain your place on the world stage
Honestly, even if Ideum falls first, he doesn't seem to have the self esteem to say his feelings out loud. He's also hyper aware of their stated relationship status. He's also really sensitive to rejection so he's not likely to take the risk.
Jaeyi was the one to cross the line and make their relationship more intimate by stepping over Ideum's walls when he insisted on seeing and touching the scar. He'll probably continue to blur the lines in this relationship because of his desire to be closer to Ideum, even without saying anything clearly. He's already possessive over Ideum, and it feels like he's in denial about his feelings