I mean, anything she does is a dangerous game. Follow the novel? Executed. Cozy up to Cesar? Empress is displeased and banishes her from the palace at best. Cozy up to the Empress? Basically the same as following the novel since she'll be Cesar's enemy. Playing them both from the middle at least gives both of them enough that they might find her useful for the time being.That's a dangerous game she's playing there.