I love this. I love the characters. I love Paulianna who us so strong and independent, she doesn't let the fact that she's a woman limit her. Anything a man can do, a woman can do too. Maybe not as well, but they aren't entirely useless to it. And she proves that. She thinks logically and is calm when facing situations, I love her ahhh I love this story. But it gets hard to grit my teeth and see how she is being treated, even though she is so talented and has all the suitable traits of a soldier. Just because she is woman, she is not regarded as true soldier and that annoys me. Everyone is basically a dickhead, except for her current boss, the old man that took care of her (tho questionable) and Lucius. We personally haven't learnt enough about Lucius for me to be able to judge if he is a good protag, but he's one of the only people that treated her like an equal with no regards to her gender.
Edit: At chapter 167. I feel like I have so much to say. I love Donau so much... he's my absolute favourite character just cus he's so reliable and is always there for Pauliana when she needs it. I'm sad to see the concubines go, they brang so much joy and freshness into Paul's life. I'm sad to see Rebecca go... she was Paul's best friend if you would call it and I was so shocked she actually died just cus there was so much build up to it. I didn't quite start crying only until everyone talked about missing her.... Tory was so sus and she is, but not cus she wanted to be. She's a good person through and through and she ended it with being a badass. Sitra is so relatable, I love her... the story is getting so messy but I love it!!!! I'm so glad I came to reread it
Emperor And The Female Knight