#5.5

A powerful Emperor and Empress. The ultimate OP couple. They're gorgeous and in love, so what's the problem?

Samuel is the victorious prince. He killed his brothers and he saved the nation from terrorists. His wife, Vivian, was a huge part of this and they're both well respected as heroes.

He changes after he becomes Emperor though.

Samuel is insecure because he was born on the streets. He was originally an illegitimate prince. He only won the throne because he also heroically saved the land. He wants to make life perfect for his lovely wife, and he wants to keep her safe.

Empress Vivian is a terrifying memory sorcerer. She can erase your entire life on a whim, leaving you a brainless corpse. Her magic can look into people's memories as well. It uses up her lifespan though, so her husband gets more paranoid every day.

Their honeymoon phase doesn't last.

Emperor Samuel locks her away in the palace. He controls her shedule. He obsesses over what she touches. Who she talks to. He snaps at her when she tries to do anything. He doesn't want her to waste her lifespan doing her duties as Empress. He tries to do everything on his own, which is kind of understandable because his fire magic doesn't burn through his life.

He becomes overworked and rumors fly about Lady Natalia. Lady Natalia wants to become a royal consort.

Samuel doesn't want Vivian to use up her lifespan so he continues to lie to her.

Samuel wants a special magic scroll that Natalia has. It's probably a healing spell that can help Vivian.

He doesn't tell her because he's terrified of making her condition worse.

Vivian no longer trusts him.

He treats her like a flower, not an equal. I really don't like the way the Empress is treated. She's a crazy strong sorcerer but everyone only cares about the Emperor.

After she falls pregnant she gives up on him and her life as Empress. She uses up MOST OF HER LIFESPAN to erase HERSELF. She forgets her own name. The entire country forgets her. She does it to protect her child. Samuel is crazy. He planned to force her to abort if she ever got pregnant, because of her weak body.

I hate this. I hate this next part so much. Seven years pass. The Emperor is insane. He's searching for a "Vivian" even though he can't remember her face. Only her name. The rest of the country doesn't remember her at all so he looks completely nutty.

The woman pictured above is Vivian's maid. She is the ONLY ONE WHO REMEMBERS. For some goddamn reason this poor maid has to live in terror while "Eve" enjoys her last days with her daughter.

Because of magic drain she has six months left.

I hate this.

Vivian is a jerk!!!! She's been enjoying life with her daughter while her unfortunate maid lives with all the memories.

The redemption arc for Samuel is also very.....huh? It doesn’t make much sense and they both have memory loss, so when they meet again it's just awkward. Not in a fun way. In a boring way.