@bushwhacker2k
He is actually the first prince, the second prince was the one the corrupt general was supporting.
As for who is making the decisions.. It's probably corrupt nobles and/or other corrupt people from the army.. I mean, even If he is a prince, he is just one person, even If he has the support of his father, the emperor, that doesn't necessarily means that they can keep everything under control.
Either way, It's far more convenient for the nobles and the army to place all the blame on their enemies and start war, than It is to admit the fact that there was someone among them that was corrupted and tried to assassinate the first prince. Even worse is the fact that the prince was actually saved by their "enemies".
In stories such as this, 99% of the nobles and other people in power only care about their reputation.. Why would they risk their reputations If they can start a war and be done with It?
It's not too different from reality actually. :z