@Yasagamo she doesn't but care what the culture and traditions of the people are. We know as a fact that value a lot how people see the emperor and doesn't want to be an excuse or a reason for men to continue to discriminate women. That aspect about Paulina has been shown a lot in the recent chapters so yes I do think it will affect her mentally, in her private life, and how she will display in tjis and unknown society.
That is why i do see a problem having her marrying the emperor. There are many factors, plus she doesn't see the emperor that way. She only see him as as an incredible master and man who she can relate qnd look for inspiration. Those are not thjngs you necessarily need to have to be in love. Heck, I have crushed on ppl I envy in my field so I was very competitive with them and was always in a competition with one another to be the best and number one. Outside the field it was another thing.
We can see that in qnd out of Paulina professional life, she only see the emperor as an inspiration and that all men and women should follow his example of a good man and citizen