Well... I may be wrong, but I do think Lucrezia has feelings for him.
I may be remembering wrong, but I don't recall her sister already being married. And they are closer politically and even in interests, since she does the magical tools he both wants, got fresh new ideas for, and has a resource that would be
very useful for
. So if it was all a political thing they could have used her instead.
Unless the fact Lucrezia would become a princess if she married him was supposed to be kept a secret and that was supposed to have any influence, but I doubt it. I think it would be more likely they expected him to find out sooner or later anyway.
what the fuck is even the goal here?
they want to instigate a diplomatic break between the northern church and Upsala. but for what gain? making sure that Capua does not get northern technology, because Upsala may get destroyed worst case? but they want to get marbles, which they can only get from Capua? I doubt Aura will be happy about the weaking/destruction of their northern partner.
they are hoping for trade, but they are aware that this may cause a war between north and south AND they know the south is less technologically advanced.
they are gambling the peace of several countries for what? faint hopes of also getting a northern trade route? they could have just send a ship north in hopes of achieving trade that way... (and if your ship technology is lacking then just spend money on research).
this all seems like dice rolling veiled as diplomatic chess play.
from what I gathered, they are trying the exact opposite of going against Capua, but as sneakily as possible.
They want access to Upsala's tech,
and Capua's marbles. But of course, as sneakily as possible so the other countries of their continent, including Capua, don't go against them, since that would be a big power jump.
On the other hand, they fear the northern continent. Upsala's tech is strong, but so is every other country's up there.
You see, they fear that the Church may start a colonization campaign, leading the countries of the north to take over those of the south.
Capua would become their shield, since they are on the way, so they need to both reinforce that shield and make sure they want to keep shielding them.
Upsala would serve more work. They are both increasing their power (both theirs and Capua's) with their tech, become a point inside the enemy grounds - which may not be much but is still helpful -
and would serve as a good advertisement of "hey, why try to colonize us, we would be so much more useful if we became trade partners instead! Look at all we can do
if you let us work in our own pace."
I may not have gotten it right, though. Who knows.
You know, at first I didn't quite understand why I liked the politic-ing as I find it boring in every other work besides this one, but then it clicked, it's not only well written, but what carries this is the interesting and well developed characters which feel like people with goals and their own lives.
So many other works just make them plot devices and that's all, this, makes all the difference.
This is a lot like me and that story about the child villainess trying to avoid going bankrupt in the monetary crash she
knows will happen, and going through economics and politics way above my head.
I have no idea what is going on, but they make me enjoy the show anyway.