I don’t think either Rishar or Étienne want to be emperor, they just want to be free from expectations and happy together. Neither of them have shown an interest/passion for leading the country and improving the lives of commoners. So I vote for them plan a revolution and dethrone both the empress (and punish for her crimes) and emperor and establish a democracy, so that whoever wants to rule can campaign for it. Rishar and Étienne can just live a quiet life in the forest together.
I don’t think either Rishar or Étienne want to be emperor, they just want to be free from expectations and happy together. Neither of them have shown an interest/passion for leading the country and improving the lives of commoners. So I vote for them plan a revolution and dethrone both the empress (and punish for her crimes) and emperor and establish a democracy, so that whoever wants to rule can campaign for it. Rishar and Étienne can just live a quiet life in the forest together.