I second the character development. I don't think she should end up with anyone, and most people are saying because the two options are bad but do they thinks she's a green flag herself? They are forgetting that she has caused so many tragedies in her last life, where's her redemption cuz ain't no way this is it. I don't care if she was manipulated or ignored, she still fked up so many people.
She should especially not end up with Theon, he was literally her victim and she KNOWS it. Girl it's not just about u being swayed by him, it's literally u torturing him in your last life. Stay away from him for HIS sake, support his happiness and stop focusing on yourself. The way the story keeps making it seem like oh she's losing feelings right when he's starting to catch feelings feels so wrong. He owes her nothing and should not have to be lead on by her feelings anymore than he was in the past life.
All I can see this as is a victim going back to their abuser unknowingly and the perpetrator not making any substantial moves to push them away or stop the interactions. She literally had a flashback of him looking miserable next to the lake and thought I shouldn't fall for his words, like she's clearly still crazy or self-absorbed. Put some genuine effort to save both of y'all from a clearly failed relationship on your part.
Legit it doesn't matter if she was manipulated or pushed to do it in her last life. This may or may not be a stretch but wasn't the Abandoned Empress Lowkey like this? He made her life miserable in his past life and suddenly being drugged excuses all of it and she still ends up with her abuser? Heck she was the one who was being abused and regressed so she can decide for herself but here the guy doesn't even know about the things that happened so he doesn't have to owe her shit nor does he have to respond to her feelings at all like what the author is pushing for right now.
Sorry for the rant, and kudos if you made it this far, I'm just sick of the emotional inconsistencies and contractions.
And Theon doesn't deserve her also. He used her because of her royal blood to help him with his situation. He knew that she was neglected and was also a bystander. Also he didn't like her then, why like her now? Only because she doesn't pay that much attention to him? Ew. Just leave her alone, don't like her in this life too and don't make her remember ugly things. Go away boy. And about Ethan, at least he's consistent. He loved her then and he loves her now. He was there for her when nobody else was. He even had to end her misery even tho he knew he would lose her while still loving her.
i honestly don’t think she should be w theon bc of how insane she was before but ion like ethan he’s fishy as hell honestly can’t she just be independent