You might want to reread or read the novel spoilers, the Duke had to marry her because it was a marriage ordered and arranged by the empress dowager, who only did so because her granddaughter (the brown haired girl/princess who asked to come to the party in this episode) asked her to do that. She mentions wishing she hadn't been so enamored by Elysee and Elysee getting the marriage she wanted is connected to that because she got the princess to ask for the marriage arrangement for her from the empress dowager. It's really a bit of a mess but if you go back and read some chapters or check the novel spoilers it should all come together.
I didn't miss anything I understand, but I want to know what type of lie would lead to the empress dowager forcing them to get married.That's the part that I can't wait for.(≧∀≦) Also from my understanding his family is in a position to refuse an order given by the imperial Palace now it might not be easy but they can do it because of how high they are in the empire. And if we take into account that him and the emperor are kind of friends he should have definitely been able to refuse her order.(￣∇￣")
They explain why he couldn't refuse it though, the name might be powerful but refusing an imperial order would be asking for trouble and likely lead to them losing that same power and making the imperial family angry. It's similar to how Sally had to stop going to parties because the Empress Dowager demanded it even though she wasn't in the wrong. Sally is in a different position power wise (still has the backing of the duke however) but going against the Empress Dowager who was at that time at the peak of her power still would be asking for punishment and trouble.
Also even if the Duke and the emperor were genuinely friends rejecting the imperial order to marry Elysee would be seen as a slight and as a sign that the Duke doesn't respect the imperial family and would likely spoil their friendship. The emperor let the empress Dowager run things as she pleased until he found out that she was the reason why they lost the imperial heir.
I feel like I'm not articulating my point. What I'm trying to say is, why is he going along with the LIE. He knows it's a lie, why not just talk to the empress dowager. I understand that she only helped The duchess because of her granddaughter, but her granddaughter told a lie that had to be convincing enough for her to help. Because the empress dowager doesn't even like the duchess. Also about the refusal part, he's close to the emperor only because the emperor likes him, however he doesn't really like the emperor. So why he cares about staying in good standing with the imperial family. Like I want to know is there a reason other than the obvious fact that he's the emperor.It's not that I don't understand what happens in the story. I'm just saying that I can't wait for the plot hose to be filled when we get the backstory. Does this make sense? ╥﹏╥
I feel like I'm not articulating my point. What I'm trying to say is, why is he going along with the LIE. He knows it's a lie, why not just talk to the empress dowager. I understand that she only helped The duchess because of her granddaughter, but her granddaughter told a lie that had to be convincing enough for her to help. Because the empress dowager doesn't even like the duchess. Also about the refusal part, he's close to the emperor only because the emperor likes him, however he doesn't really like the emperor. So why he cares about staying in good standing with the imperial family. Like I want to know is there a reason other than the obvious fact that he's the emperor.It's not that I don't understand what happens in the story. I'm just saying that I can't wait for the plot hose to be filled when we get the backstory. Does this make sense? ╥﹏╥
Don remember well since I saw the spoiler earlier o the story but SPOLIER WARNING
I think she manipulated the duke's friend into presenting them and let her marry him to be together, some really stupid nonsense form her and there was a fake pregnancy which pushed to take accountability
I love the princess for acknowledging Sally but girl come on ask for something bigger. Also his wife The duchess is pissing me off. Why does she keep acting like she has no idea why he could possibly hate her. Like I don't know maybe be because you're a manipulative liar who has killed abused and any other crime you can think of to any person he's ever been close to. Like we need this backstory bad because I need to know why she wants to be married him so bad if she doesn't even like him, and why would he marry her if he clearly hates her. Because if I remember correctly his family is in a position to oppose the imperial family if they want to.