Seeing Henwell unsure of the reasons, Arius lets out a sigh.
"Ah, why would the kingdom's princess marry , a prince of a duchy whose identity hasn't been formally confird? As long as the Grand Duke hasn't publicly acknowledged my status, I have no inheritance rights. On the surface, I seem like a suitable candidate for a marriage alliance between the two nations—my concealed identity is high enough yet not too disruptive to the political landscape."
"However, Billie Kingdom could have arranged a match with soone of a similar status to mine. Like Karitan, who would actually be the most suitable choice. Yet, the kingdom insists on offering their most noble princess!"
"This isn't about respecting the duchy; it's about offloading this troubleso princess. Catherine is an ambitious woman who showed remarkable intelligence even before reaching adulthood, already beginning to build her own faction. By now, she's gathered considerable noble support, with many betting on this princess. She knows her disadvantages, so she offers high stakes to those backing her."
"Due to her status and being the king's only daughter, she can't be simply eliminated. So, when the marriage plan ca up, everyone, including the king, thought it best to pass this problem onto us. It avoids potential future internal conflicts and sends this ambitious woman to the duchy."
"Given her personality, she won't be content with being just a hidden prince. She'll definitely push to engage in the duchy's political affairs, aiming for higher status and more power."
"At that point, Billie Kingdom wouldn't mind lending a hand, seizing the opportunity to ddle in the duchy's internal politics. It's a win-win for the kingdom and not too bad for the duchy either. My Grand Duke father has essentially found a powerful ally. If the political landscape changes in the future, at least I have a chance to find safety."
"Through this marriage, the duchy can forge a deeper connection with the kingdom. Because they're marrying off the princess, it's a significant gesture of respect for the duchy."
Henwell is well aware of everything Arius ntions, but he can't reveal that he knows. First, it would expose him as having alternative intelligence sources. Second, the people involved are too high-profile, and it would be inappropriate for Henwell to tell these ssages. For instance, these very reasons are why the envoy was attacked. The assassins included Arius's own brother, mbers of the duchy's noble alliance, the princess's faction within the kingdom, and even the princess herself.
If Henwell admitted to knowing all this, it would imply Arius that Henwell understands the motives of these powerful figures. Despite Arius treating him well, Henwell knows so boundaries shouldn't be crossed.
So, he tactfully poses a question, "Now that you've chosen Karitan, everyone has reluctantly accepted it. Catherine doesn't have to marry far away or lose her foundation. Isn't that a good outco? Why she has the assassination attempt?"
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Arius pauses before responding, "Because if the marriage alliance succeeds, the relationship between the two nations strengthens, which doesn't align with the interests of the nobles under Catherine. These nobles, driven by ambition, don't want a stable environnt. They thrive in chaos; conflict is what they desire, allowing them to seize opportunities in the upheaval."
Henwell refrains from probing further, because he is aware of deeper underlying reasons. So within the kingdom don't want to see the duchy's transformation. They prefer having the Duchy of Vorry as an ally, not a Kingdom of Vorry. This likely includes the king himself.
Henwell is certain that while Catherine is cunning, she's still too inexperienced compared to these seasoned schers. If anything happens to Arius, all of Catherine's plans would be exposed, leading to her likely confinent. Relations between the two nations would tense up, and the kingdom would have to step in to soothe tensions, compensating the duchy by other ans.
It seems contradictory—the kingdom's leadership, including the king, supports the marriage alliance between Arius and Catherine, yet simultaneously appears to oppose it. But it's not contradictory at all. The upper echelons, including the king, support the union because it aligns with their broader strategic interests.
Now that Arius has sidestepped the pitfall of Catherine and chosen Countess Karitan, the kingdom's higher-ups aren't too pleased. They intended to offload a burden while planting a pawn in the duchy, delivering a fatal blow at the crucial mont of the duchy's transformation. It's a plan to sacrifice so dignity for tangible gains. But with Arius and Karitan joining forces, the duchy now has a better option—a result that demands both “face” and “substance”.
Politics, oh politics! Allies one mont, enemies the next! I give you benefits only to extract more from you soday. I take your benefits but have no intention of repaying them. It is precisely because he saw through these things, Henwell boldly confronts Catherine at the hunting grounds. It seems he's making her think he's a reckless outlaw, warning her not to push him too far.
But in truth, Henwell is trying to wake Catherine up, showing her that she's rely a pawn. If he can see things clearly, so can others. With Catherine's intelligence, Henwell is sure she'll figure it out eventually. Due to the pride of royalty and nobility, she won't heed others' advice. Only Henwell's drastic approach can make her realize she's teetering on the edge of life and death.
Henwell doesn't actually care whether Catherine lives or dies, but if she keeps stirring up trouble, sothing's bound to happen. When that storm hits, the envoy at the center won't fare well, and Henwell himself will be heavily implicated.
Additionally, Henwell has sensed sothing amiss and must eliminate potential threats as much as possible. He really wishes Arius would hurry things up, ideally giving birth to a child and heading back ho. No matter how Henwell strategizes here, the risks remain high. Arius knows this too, but he's powerless, forced to wait it out.
This isn't just a simple romance or courtship. It's an exchange of interests between two nations, and no matter how deep Arius and Karitan's affection runs, it's not the decisive factor. Only after the bargaining concludes can they announce their union. Then, they'll receive the blessing of the god of love, pledging to protect each other for life.
Ultimately, this marriage will be celebrated under the guise of love, crafting a fairy tale of a prince and princess. The irony is that behind this love is nothing but a blatant transaction!
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