Romaboo Answer 1, Serious: Freedom is relative - having rights and being able to vote in local elections, where most meaningful government is done, is substantial in the pre-modern world, even if the Emperor is not elected in any real sense.

Romaboo Answer 2, Contemporary: No bro, it’s not a monarchy, you see, the approval of the people is exercised by the Emperor, who represents us, not himself, and must respect our rights even though every time an Emperor has wanted to violate someone’s rights it happened without consequences