Emperors were born from among the Electors, while the Electors who failed became members of the imperial family from then on.
If one insisted on distinguishing a direct line, then it could only be the emperor's children; even marquises could be considered collateral branches.
Since the birth of the Florian Empire, there had never been a case of a marquis becoming emperor.
To break precedent was to break the rules. Even if Grand Duke Rodriguez bore the brunt of it, he could not erase that divide.
Everything Imperial Capital did was merely a nomination.
Just like Count Clayton's Grand Duke Nomination, it could not produce any practical, effective meaning.
"Grand Duke Rodriguez and Grand Duke Russell both hope you can become the emperor of the empire. With two grand dukes making their stance clear, Grand Duke Mayers seems to be contacting the other marquises. Grand Duke Fleming has made no move at all. After all, no matter who becomes emperor, he is the one whose interests suffer." Without Grand Duke Fleming consecutively becoming head of the grand dukes, the nobles would never agree. If Grand Duke Fleming supported Floyd, it would only make Floyd's path even harder.
It could be said that as long as he made no move, that was the greatest support he could give Floyd.
"However, this still will not be easy."
"Within the imperial family, more voices still support crowning the child of His Majesty Columbus IV. Most of the nobles are the same. But they do not understand that the empire is now tottering in wind and rain. A child cannot save the empire at this moment."
"You need to suppress every voice."
Count Clayton spoke. On Floyd's other side was Count Teton, who had arrived before Floyd almost the fastest. "Through war?"
Light flickered