However, as the times changed and the opposition to royal authority shifted from theocracy to the traditional noble factions, the decline of the Nidwen Family became an unavoidable historical inevitability. On this point, Old Nidwen and Little Nidwen likely shared an unspoken understanding. Was Little Nidwen's mediocrity truly a case of a tiger father begetting a cur son, or was it some choice to protect himself wisely? Perhaps only he himself knew.
The so-called Year of Golden Radiance reforms, the Herostoy Law, and the subsequent promulgation of various laws were, in fact, merely the outward manifestations of the nobles' struggle. Thus, they had been walking down the wrong path from the very beginning. Brando could imagine what Delphine would encounter.
"So," he asked after a moment of silence, "once you realized you couldn't accomplish all this, you chose the path of a political marriage? It is indeed one solution. But, Miss Delphine, have you ever considered another point—"
A political marriage was the most traditional and effective means in noble politics, and the family of Elman, whom Delphine had chosen, was indeed a good choice. As a rising star in the Empire's political arena, Elman himself was also exceptionally capable.
However, as the woman in the marriage, it was difficult to say whether Delphine or Elman would take the leading role in family affairs after she married into the Elman family. Not to mention that she might lose her influence over the Nidwen Family because of it—or at least lose part of it.
Delphine gave a bitter smile. "Mr. Brando, sometimes I wonder if being a little more naive might not be such a bad thing. At least she wouldn't seem so complicated—so complicated that she lost herself and even forgot her original intentions..."
"Everything I pursued was built on