Could it be that

If that’s true, than maybe Mariana wasn’t the one to kill Mars but her husband, the previous Emperor. He probably didn’t know about her being pregnant with Mars’s child, but knows they were lovers. She just sees it as her killing Mars because she thinks it’s her fault that he died.

I’m guessing Mariana didn’t have a choice when it came to her marriage. Her parents probably forced her to marry the Emperor. Mars was a hero, but did he have any noble title. I think he was a commoner (I could be wrong). In her time, status would have been everything, especially if she’s from a high ranking noble family. Also we don’t know exactly when he became a hero, was it before her marriage or after her marriage.

Poor Jeno, he’s in delulu land rn. He can’t believe his idol would died like that.

That's a dang good theory. I was starting to get angry with the empress, but this makes sense

Yeaaaah that’s a crazy good theory and it would actually make sense if that was the case.

Lool even he can’t believe his idol died and lived like this

Even if this theory is near from the truth, shouldn't Marianna just forgot about Mars cuz she's already married?

This is just the problem with nobles and aristocrats (in stories) they see mistresses and side lovers as a common thing and not a bad thing. I understand that maybe they really lobed each other but girl is already married. Mars is just blinded by love.

Oooh I totally get it I also dislike it when authors keep trying to “rationalize” having lovers even if it’s not a marriage out of love but ig for the plot it makes sense and with the diary etc It is a plausible theory imho

Please if you know spoil me (≧∀≦)

But tbh, if I'm right, I think having mistresses and lovers during the aristocratic period was actually common but it's more so for the wealthy and powerful. Doesn't mean it was normalised within their "high society" but it was common and supposedly if they do have a lover outside, they are supposed to keep it discreet.