I really can't understand the MCs thought process here even though the author has been painstakingly walking us through it. I just can't follow her leaps in logic. What possible use is there in getting in the good graces of an empress who is murdered by the emporer the day that they got married? Shouldn't it be obvious from the fact that, oh, I don't know, he fucking murdered her that Tori is not the prince's friend? In fact, if we were to put on our Sherlock Holmes hats for a second, we might even be able to follow the trail of clues and deduce that Tori is the prince's enemy! Since, you know, he killed her? Seems like getting close to a known enemy of the prince wouldn't be helpful to the 'make friends with the prince' plan in the long run, but maybe that's just me?!