@Asbolus As mentioned before, it's because tradition. The elders wanted things to go a certain way. With that said, as for why some candidates can and likely will stay, it is as the king stated at the end of the soiree. Many wish to stay due to personal reasons or due to how inconvenient it would be to return home, so he's allowing them up to nine months to leave of their own accord, granting them all a chance to enjoy what is there and maybe even make connections with each other as well as with those within the capital. It's obvious who he favors, and for those who know better it'll be a great opportunity to make connections with his chosen bride. Most would rather demean her, of course, but they won't last very long.