I hate Kevin (Does he go away?) - Servant of the Empire Spoilers

I really don't like Kevin. A lot. After loving book one, I'm trying really hard to also love book two, (I'm about 1/3 of the way through) but good lord does Kevin make it difficult.

I don't like how he has almost completely taken over the story (the ambush that happens about 250 pages in is, I think, the first Acoma chapter that doesn't in some way focus on him.) I swear I think I hear more about Kevin than everyone else combined other than Mara. This book feels like it's 30% political drama now and 70% Mara being dumb/horny for Kevin...

I don't like how Mara acts like a complete idiot around him (I get that love can do that, but she often doesn't even feel like the same strong character from book one, but a schoolgirl with a crush instead...) I feel like her scenes with Kevin are changing her portrayal from the "amazingly, strong-willed female leader" from before into a more "weak woman whose emotions and storyline are completely controlled/effected by a man." I miss when Mara's life, agency, and decisions were hers alone--fighting against men who tried to get in her way. Like, she could have found love and still stayed true to her character. Why Kevin, why?

I don't like how his presence seems to be there solely to portray this weird feeling of western culture being "superior" the the Kelewan/Asian-inspired culture... Like I get that slavery is bad and the whole point is to make Mara see that somewhat, but Kevin (a minor lord himself apparently) is a hypocrite who acts like lords in Midkemia don't also have people beneath them (not slaves, buts definitely a power/class hierarchy)

I don't like the horrible slave/mistress romance dynamic that is just kind of gross at times... I mean he chokes her, and in the next chapter talks about how in Midkemia men treat their women better. She send him away and back constantly, often distracting herself from far more important (and interesting) issues going on in her estate.

Please, please tell me that he isn't as involved in book three. He is intruding on this amazing political fantasy story and making it FAR less enjoyable.