Responses
I'm not saying that the dad is a good person but nah he IS a victim
You're absolutely right. Sorry for not acknowledging that. What I meant is that he is acting completely powerless while his world falls apart.
There are passive ways to fight back and ways to get help. I know not every victim is strong enough to confront their abuser but I at least would like them to move forward and pick themselves up rather than mostly define themselves based on the abuse.
You know the emperor could have easily gotten revenge by taking Etienne away as a baby since he is her only bargaining chip and key to her future plans.
Even if he doesn't love the child, fake an abuse (mind u it was happening without his knowledge), separate them and possibly even frame her for attempted murder of the royal baby and execute her boom! Give the child to some other vassal to raise, after all nannies and butlers exist.
Dad is a Coward who likes playing the victim and now is trying to guilt trip MC
and mom is a self-entitled narcissist and moral-less abuser
i have so many cuss words for the dad and so many blunt rusty knives for the mom