Complex. So now the older brother (former Emperor) is getting jealous (of Jeannette being with his impudent younger brother despite what he just says) and is saying one thing and going against his own claims (unless he's using it as motivation to threaten the Duke into action), the guardian father with schemes (the Duke) appears poised to circumvent these actions because he thinks they are threatening the plans (read: "if anyone discovers that she's the former Emperor's daughter" " she is a bright girl; if she spends time with you then she'll figure it out" what happens if she spends more time with her real dad? π€ would she figure it out? Is this a subtle threat to force the Duke's hand or is the former Emperor actually getting an urge to get to know Jeannette? π€ Hard to tell, huh?) and thus despite his better judgements, he's pushing up the time tables.
The former Emperor seems to not have revealed his full plans to the Duke, so the Duke may be acting purely off of thoughts of having his charge be recognized as the heir apparent.
However, the Princess keeps throwing a metaphorical lug nut in the plans. Not sure what the true goals are at the same time for the former Emperor as he weirdly seems to either be subtly threatening the Duke into action or something like that, or he's beginning to show interest in his daughter. π
So much conflict & drama! [For once, though, these kinds of story wise, it's not unnecessary as it's character and plot driven, and feels authentic and not dragging out.]