Kleal messed up bad there (for his goals) he should have said he is her king since she is his princess so as to set a father daughter type situation there instead of potential lovers.
Page 163 has me thinking Cid has manifested yet another group into existence just for his aura farming. It really had me happily going "Damn it not again." I will continue reading now.
It could all be bait to lure us in so that the gut punch lands extra hard with war ruining the world maybe having him bury her or vice versa especially if he needs to die to stop the war.