Try to negotiate

Now that you've stopped her, your men start to circle around and close in on your target. Veronica notices this, her eyes darting back and forth between them like a trapped animal. Not wanting her to make a break for it now, you signal to your men to wait where they are.

"Is that all you hoped to gain from this? I had supposed you were a loyalist of Arnold's"

She shakes her head sadly. "No, I'm not. My beauty has always been well-known in my hometown, and when word got to Arnold, he contacted me. He gave me money, honorary titles, and training as an agent. Then, when your father and brother died, it was an opportunity too good for him to pass up. And too good for me to pass up. I'm sorry, but I'm one-step removed from a commoner. I could never hope to marry into any family of significance, and when Arnold offered me the opportunity to be the Queen Mother of the most powerful kingdom in the Federation...how could i refuse?"

Now that you've gotten her to calm down, the mercenary beauty may be open to reason. "I can understand that Veronica, I can. But you know Arnold. Say he succeeds in putting our child on the throne, what then? Do you think he will be content as a benevolent regent for them? How long until one of Arnold's accidents leaves the throne vacant? Don't you see? He doesn't want a puppet, he wants my kingdom for himself!"

Vernoica tears up, starting to see the sense in your words. "And maybe you're right. But what would you have me do?" she asks between sobs.

Gently, you help her off the horse and onto the ground in front of you. You embrace her, letting her rest her head on your shoulder. "Forget about this evil scheme. Come back to Ostgrenze with me. As my bride."

Her head snaps back so she can look deeply in your eyes, searching for dishonesty. "You really mean that? Even though I'm so..."

You hush her and take her hand. "Veronica, compared to this misadventure, any problems can easily be done away with. Come now. Let's go home."