His mother, simple as that
If he comes out and says it, his mother will probably remove all of the free will he's got right now and pull strings to force him in ways like what she's probably doing now
Because being an Omega in line for succeeding the throne is taboo/basically illegal.
His whole life he's had to dance to his mother's tune in order to live-- and it's not just the medicine he has to worry about killing him. History has shown us what happens to nobility/royals who betray their people.
Etienne really would be persecuted and probably killed for his "crimes" even if his mother was behind it all along. It's why he is working with Rishar to find a way to dismantle his mother's power and put Rishar on the throne ((even tho Rishar wants Etienne on the throne but whatever that isn't the important part lol))
Just 'cause you can't understand why the plot is progressing the way that it is doesn't mean it's bad.
They never said it was bad...
I think it has to do with the fact that Ettie is a literal puppet for the noble faction. If he were to lose any of his legitimacy to the throne I have no dount that the nobles would want to get rid of him.
we see that Ettie number one Ettie values his life. he has dreams to get away from the palace and live out his days peacefully.
but also number two, if the balance between the noble and royal factions shift dramatically that Rishar life will be in danger. Ettie believes has a sense of responsibility to care for his people and loved ones. he cares for his buttler, his doctor and his lover so I have no doubt that Ettie would not chance an assassination on Rishar
and three, despite everything that his mother has done to him he still cares for her. again he believes he has some sort of duty to take care of his mother because up until this far he believd his mother was taking care of him
in this chapter tho I can see his care for her faulting. is what his mother doing to him out of love or control, love or power?
.... I still don't understand what the big deal is and if he doesn't want the title of Emperor to just come out with it already and save everyone the trouble of freaking out over it.
ugh...... I want to like this story, ...I do ... but..... I just can't buy in to this plot.