I think it suggests that they were once genuine allies before he enthralled her, and that he’s mourning more than just her passing, but also the deterioration of their relationship.
When I listen to him talk, I get the impression that he is satisfied with the post-stroke situation (especially considering Descent into Avernus).
"Manipulation or not, we need each other. My relationship with Belynne was similar in this regard. Though - less dramatic."And being a bit hard to him triggers a threat:
"Player: I really don't care what your relationship with her was like.
Emperor: And yet you emulate it so well" As far as that strange comment from Swen that The Emperor “does not have that level of emotion,” we actually feel his fear regarding the Elder Brain
Mind flayers can simulate emotions in the brain of other beings, the dying one on the beach compels us to love him and makes us perfectly happy for the first time in our life while he is killing us.
If the pc romances him, we literally feel that he cares for the pc, and in some interactions of this scene he’ll tell the pc that he enjoys their mind, and refers to their relationship as a bond of love.
Two options here: he tells how rational we are and don't need to be coddled (astral tadpole used) or how much he enjoys our mind. But it's the same tactic when we comfort him in the dream about Stelmane; if the player is not half-illithid, then he adds the sentence:
"You have shown me great empathy. We are closer now, close enough - I hope - that I can ask you to reconsider your position regarding your physical form."If he is humanized, then he shows feelings. It's a breach he can exploit.
"Player: You really don't sound like a mind flayer.
Emperor: I have learned to adapt my methods to your needs."There’s an option to tell him to think bigger, at which point he’ll say to them “Have I ever told you how much I enjoy you? Lead the way…
True but in his letter you can see he is the one in charge and even tells:
"Make merry with your former allies, for we may yet have need of them. Keep them close, and wait for my word."(That was exactly what I was worried about before the epilogue patch. There was no way he would have really let someone else make decisions and follow another plan.)
“Perhaps you are unique among illithid-kind. Perhaps you will retain enough of who you are to resist your nature. A rogue mind flayer. Like The Emperor.”
This is a pretty straightforward acknowledgement that The Emperor does have the capacity for relationships beyond mere tools for his use.
Not convinced from what the game shows. He said in one of the first dream:
"[…] gather many allies to aid your strength. Use them how you will", the essay about moral in his hideout ; the fact he doesn't express interest for Omeluum, preferring to commune with an other criminal mind flayer in one ending, and it seems he even makes more thralls:
"I have established 'contacts' in Calimshan - they answer wholly to me."In an other letter we get:
"Make what memories you must tonight to ease your passage into the future. In time, those you cherish so dearly will become just that - fond memories, and nothing more. And when that time comes, call on me."I don't see him interested in remaining/becoming a lover while our feelings decay, just as he doesn't retain us when we speak about hiding in the Underdark. He doesn't want to babysit us or build a friendly relationship. I could have missed something, but I'm pretty sure all his intentions revolve around business (and world domination).
If you save the Grove, he’ll even compliment you on your leadership.
He supports our action, whatever it may be.
"For what it's worth, you made the right choice. If we don't accomplish our goals, none of this matters. Not their fate, not anyone's"
"It's a good thing you decided to infiltrate the cultists rather than fight them. The Absolute has already mustered an impressive army, and its forces still grow"But, let’s just say you have romanced The Emperor, but the twist is that you are merely a means to an end. Well, that’s not clearly laid out either.
He refuses to leave with the humanoid he bonded with.
When companions randomly express their joy for having saved the city, he says:
"It makes little difference to me. I did what I had to to secure my freedom."Romance aside, we should be able to create a connection with him by being more Illithid, but it's not even the case. All the little nice sentences are reserved only for the group leader who didn't commune with the astral tadpole.
It's just my theory but I believe after tried everything to convince us he finally came half-naked because his outfit was intimidating and he needed us not to be afraid of what he wanted us to become.
Or just as an emotional grip. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he refers to it three times: during the interaction with the portrayal of Stelmane (giving a compliment by extension), for returning to the House with the Hammer, and to acquire the stones if we are reluctant to trust him.
His romance could be incomplete; but for me, everything is coherent by far, there's just no romance at all.
