Kiara smiled slightly.
"It's actually quite simple. Arceus will remain Duke of Western Phoenix. We simply postpone his coronation as King Regent of Aer until your marriage ceremony." She continued, "During those months, I'll work on obtaining Western Phoenix's independence peacefully. And once that happens, we'll establish an alliance with the Phoenix Empire instead of remaining its duchy."
She tapped lightly against the carriage seat.
"After everything stabilizes, we appoint an acting ruler here. Then all three of us can travel to Aer and complete the arrangements there."
Scarlett stared at her as though trying to determine whether she had heard correctly.
"Wouldn't it be much easier… to make Aer independent instead? It is already a vassal kingdom. Western Phoenix is merely a duchy."
Kiara looked at her with an expression that almost asked whether the answer wasn't obvious.
