wonder if she even knew how bad her ex "wonderful fiance" was... i know there were rumors but those never paint a clear picture. from the empress's pov the engagement likely wasn't broken to punish her son but rather to protect the unsuspecting girl.
but if she is serious about wanting to sacrifice herself for political power it's not too late, they can put her into a more direct and honest contact with the empress than she's had previously though her family mediation and machination. she may still get what she wants after showing her resolve.
and who knows, the two may even be able to devise a scheme with which to at least control the prince into behaving, if not to reform him outright. and if this, instead of being a sacrifice, was also the girl's expectation then all the better - now she can test the waters for if it'd work with a powerful advisor on her side, "try before you buy", so to speak.
