@Wizard_Howl they dont want Kai to actually learn how to be a good king, they just want to keep him as a puppet, so they used the "classes" to keep him down and make kai need the princess. now that he started to actually answer the teacher's questions they're trying to find out who is teaching him and get rid of them while saying it's for his own good.
they didnt find anything so now the asshole princess is maybe taking the chance to get rid of elise, one of the few people who actually support kai at the palace.
she may be just a maid, but losing elise would be a pretty harsh blow to both kai and alicia bc 1) with elise gone theyre gonna need a new maid aka the princess can plant one of her maids as a spy to keep a closer eye on them and 2) they really trust her and care for her so even if she doesnt die, her current condition would hurt them pretty bad
thats just my assumption tho