The story plays out in an empire in which women are valued only as dutiful wives, mothers, and religious sacrifices. Misogyny is a constant backdrop via concern about women's purity and proper place, and threats of violent execution. One secondary female character is forced into an arranged marriage with the cruel emperor in exchange for her tributary state's safety. Multiple scenes from the emperor's POV involve him fantasizing about torturing and murdering his wife and his (main character) sister.