The chapter crosses from dark fiction into outright sexual violence, inserting substances where they don’t belong, then framing forced impregnation as punishment or romance. What’s more disturbing is how quickly some readers excuse it. Normal reactions question consent, harm, and consequences. Defending this kind of behavior suggests a serious disconnect from empathy and an unsettling comfort with violence.

Leon punishing Grace by raping her and proudly serving a fascist royal regime is already wild enough, but then he goes and treats his father’s sadistic ideology like it’s some family heirloom he’s obligated to uphold. Instead of questioning the system that literally created his violence, he doubles down and calls assaulting her part of his “righteous mission.” Honestly, if that’s what justice looks like in their kingdom, no wonder the rebels took one look and said “absolutely not” and chose violence.

Grace is clearly showing signs of trauma bonding (Stockholm Syndrome)