Honestly, your take is interesting and it raises a fair question: did Navier actually love Sovieshu romantically, or was it more about their shared history, understanding each other, and the whole imperial duty thing? And yeah, I get that he had the right to look for a different kind of happiness.
But I think he deserves a closer look. The problem isn’t that he fell for Rashta, or even that something felt off in his marriage. It’s that he never actually talked to his wife about it. Couples change, and maybe they needed a new dynamic. I’m pretty sure Navier would’ve tried if she’d known what he was feeling.
Instead he let his feelings run the show. He wanted Rashta and Navier on equal footing like his emotions could just override laws, traditions, and politics. But he’s not just some guy in a marriage, he’s the emperor. His decisions affect the nobility, the succession, diplomacy, everything. He can’t just pretend his power lets him ignore all that.
Do I think Navier could’ve pushed harder to reason with him? Maybe. She’s smart, diplomatic, and knows her duties. But Sovieshu still broke things first, and he owed her honest communication.
He could’ve just said “hey, I’m not satisfied anymore,” talked it out with her, and found a way forward. What bugs me is that he basically tried to force the new situation on her without caring about her feelings, dignity, or position.
So no, I don’t think wanting to be happy was the issue. He just let his desires win over his judgment, his responsibilities, and the respect he owed his wife.
Also, re: your 1/10, you’re totally entitled to it. A rating is just your personal opinion of the story. We can disagree with your analysis or offer other perspectives, but nobody gets to tell you to change your score. Respecting a discussion means respecting everyone’s opinion, and you shouldn’t have to bump your rating just to please people.
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But I think he deserves a closer look. The problem isn’t that he fell for Rashta, or even that something felt off in his marriage. It’s that he never actually talked to his wife about it. Couples change, and maybe they needed a new dynamic. I’m pretty sure Navier would’ve tried if she’d known what he was feeling.
Instead he let his feelings run the show. He wanted Rashta and Navier on equal footing like his emotions could just override laws, traditions, and politics. But he’s not just some guy in a marriage, he’s the emperor. His decisions affect the nobility, the succession, diplomacy, everything. He can’t just pretend his power lets him ignore all that.
Do I think Navier could’ve pushed harder to reason with him? Maybe. She’s smart, diplomatic, and knows her duties. But Sovieshu still broke things first, and he owed her honest communication.
He could’ve just said “hey, I’m not satisfied anymore,” talked it out with her, and found a way forward. What bugs me is that he basically tried to force the new situation on her without caring about her feelings, dignity, or position.
So no, I don’t think wanting to be happy was the issue. He just let his desires win over his judgment, his responsibilities, and the respect he owed his wife.
Also, re: your 1/10, you’re totally entitled to it. A rating is just your personal opinion of the story. We can disagree with your analysis or offer other perspectives, but nobody gets to tell you to change your score. Respecting a discussion means respecting everyone’s opinion, and you shouldn’t have to bump your rating just to please people.