Ask why the marriage must happen.

If the marriage to this prince really must happen, if there is truly no other way, then at least Liandra thought she deserved to know why.
Just when the princess came to that conclusion, she saw countess Elysa pass through the castles halls. Elysa is a young women from a strong noble family. She might be only in her twenties, but she was already very knowledgeable in political matters.

“Good day, countess.” Liandra addressed the countess.
“And a good day to you as well, princess.” Elysa replied back with a pleasant smile. “How can I help you?”
The ring told her Elysa spoke the truth. She was really a person with good intentions.
“Well, I had a question about my impending marriage.” Liandra shyly asked. “I was wondering why does this marriage has to be?”
“When it comes down to the basics, it is purely political.” Elysa bluntly said. “I’m sure that on a less superficial level your father wants you to be happily married, but on superficially it is to save the kingdom from a nearing threat.”
All of it was the truth. Liandra now realized her father himself had ****. Liandra felt that Elysa was someone she could trust.

“So how could a simple marriage like mine prevent a large threat like such? As a matter of fact, what is this threat?”
Elisa brought up her hands and straightened her hair. It was only now that Liandra noticed Elisa’s long brown hair. It looked very soft as well.
“The problem is the dark country of Nocternia. You know, the place where all the dark mages live. They have steadily been growing in power. Mostly due to the potent leadership of their young emperor. I heard he is quite the powerful magician himself and his focused research in both magic and technology has made the dark empire quite a bit more powerful. If this continues, Nocternia will soon be strong enough to conquer first our country, and then the other country’s on this continent.”
Again the ring told Liandra that Elysa was speaking nothing but the truth. This actually frightened her. To know that such a heretic country had amassed that much strength and power. But when she looked back to the countess, she saw a proud face that showed no fear, only welcoming smile. It warmed Liandra’s heart, and made her feel like the countess was really a very pretty person.

“When you are married to this prince, our two kingdoms will combine. Think of it as expansion without war. This will double our military strength and greatly improve our chances if Nocternia ever dares to strike at us.”
Like usual, the magical ring told Liandra that Elysa had spoken only the truth.
“Thank you for this conversation, Elysa. I really appreciate your honesty.”
“But of course princess. Anything to help you in these troubling times. Now, if you would excuse me, I have an appointment that I need to keep.”
“Naturally countess.” Liandra said while giving the countess a little bow to show her appreciation.

Liandra looked at Elysa while she walked away. The countess was truly a remarkable person. She was intelligent, honest, and very pretty. She harbored a small desire to hug the countess, that would feel so nice. But one of her stature should not be hugging people in public. Though now Liandra had more questions then she had before. Is Nocternia truly as powerful as the Elysa thinks it is? Is saving the country worth getting married to such a disrespectful prince. Could there possibly be another way that wouldn’t lead to war?