In the first place, Edward was opposed to Diana's entry into the court.

This makes it sound as if Edward was the only one in the Crester family who was against it, but of course this is not true. When the royal decree arrived in early summer, Elizabeth waved a vase in the air in anger, and even Duarisse did not take kindly to it. When Fiona heard the story, she also smiled in a disturbing manner.
However, it was Edward, of all people, who spoke out strongly against the idea and went around recklessly trying to prevent his sister from entering the palace, even though the royal decree had already been issued.

The reason is simple. Because he knew that sooner or later this would happen.

He had no choice but to withdraw her from the palace.

He took his sister's hand and led her down a side street where the grass was thick. He waited for the moment when the show would start, successfully diverted people's attention from Diana, and pulled her into the bushes in the nick of time.
The moment he took her hand, Deanna was slightly nervous, but she soon realized that it was Edward. She didn't say anything else and followed his lead. I glanced at her face and saw that she was completely out of it. Edward could tell that he was completely over capacity.

(d*mn it, I knew this was coming and I hated it. (d*mn, I knew this was going to happen and I hated it.) What good-natured person like Deanna wouldn't want to get into trouble!

It was obvious that there was an ulterior motive behind the order for Deanna to enter the palace. As soon as they read the royal decree, the Cresters tried everything they could to find out what was going on, but they could not get to the bottom of what was really going on in the palace. Without being able to decipher the specifics of the trouble, they inadvertently handed Deanna over to the palace, and this is the result.
Now that Deanna is in the palace, the mystery is solved. The inner workings of the palace, the power structure of the royal court, and the thoughts of the new king came in one after another.
--But that's it. It's not worth trading Deanna for.

If Deanna doesn't become his wife... House Crester probably wouldn't be in King's Landing right now. We already knew from the first night of the season that the innovators were bitter towards the conservatives and that some of the conservatives were hostile towards the innovators. With relations deteriorating so much in just one year, it was only a matter of time before war broke out, and Dualis would have decided that he needed to fortify his territory. No matter the civil war in the kingdom, no matter how fierce the bickering between the innovators and conservatives, for the Cresters, it's just a matter of time. After warning the nobles who are secretly getting along with each other, the Cresters will just have to build a system that includes the underworld so that they can protect as many people as possible. I don't want to get into the royal palace and control the power game.
But when the royal court wanted Diana, everything went haywire. Most of the officials didn't know anything about the Cresters, only a few of their "friends" who were seriously concerned about the future of the country put their hopes in Diana. It was not Diana who could accept their wishes and ignore them.

--Deanna decided to carry it. Even if no one understands her, as the Red Rose, she will carry the fate of the kingdom.

The current palace is the key to the future of the kingdom. The power structure of the Inner Palace directly affects the struggle for power in the Outer Palace, and everything is determined by its future.
Knowing this, Diana worked hard until she exceeded her capacity. Edward's only sister is kinder and more compassionate than anyone else. She may pretend to be cold, but she can never truly be cruel.

Don't care if anyone hates you, only care for those who understand you.

Dualis and Fiona had been telling Deanna over and over and over again that the Crester family had a knack for socializing that had been passed down from generation to generation. Deanna seemed to think that this was normal, but at least Edward didn't remember being taught so persistently.
Your father and aunt are very protective of Deanna. ....... The answer to this childhood mystery came easily to me when I came to King's Landing. The way people look at the Cresta family is devastating, even to Edward, who is relatively unconcerned about others. The way people looked at the Cresta family was disheartening, even to Edward, who was a man who did not care about others. They were so intense that he realized that this is what malice looks like.
Edward quickly gave up on "others" and divided people into three categories. Relatives to protect, friends to help, and "others" to use. All the Ampontans who couldn't see through the Cresta family were "others," and it didn't matter what they thought of us or what would happen to us.
Edward could do that. It doesn't hurt him at all to use people he throws into the "other" category and cut them down piece by piece. I'm aware that I'm ruthless.
But at the same time. I am aware that I am a heartless person, but at the same time, I have painfully come to understand that Deanna cannot do the same thing to me.

Unlike Edward, who was not very interested in other people, Diana was an innocent and kind girl who liked to be around people from an early age. She was well-liked by the servants of the house, and actively interacted with the people of the estate. When disasters or crop failures occurred, she was quicker than anyone else to come to the aid of her people. The Cresters are a family that traditionally cares for its people, but Diana's attitude was outstanding.
It was precisely because of Diana that Dualis and Fiona were concerned. As the Countess of Clester, Diana would have to enter the social scene. They feared that her love of people and her essential belief in human beings would be crushed by the malice directed at the Cresta family. Soon, Edward himself began to feel it most strongly.

Even though they were brother and sister, he and Diana were definitely different. It is not possible for Deanna to dismiss others. Even if someone is malicious, if she sees them in trouble, she will try to help them. He is a kind, pure, good-natured, and loving sister. ...... I really didn't want to take her to King's Landing.
I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. His sister does not know the horror of human malice. I just wanted her to be a little more prepared for what she will face one day.

"I understand exactly what you mean, .......

--I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean. With eyes that he had never seen before, but with a clear gaze that never changed, Diana said this quietly.

With a bright smile and a genuine belief in others, Diana disappeared with each social occasion. Day by day, Diana became more and more like the Countess of Clester. When her notoriety in social circles grows, she uses it to her advantage to charm people. It's hard to imagine the Diana of a few years ago as the "Rose Princess of Ice and Fire in Bloom"...

We're probably the only people in the world who know it's just a facade.

"Diana.


"Oh, my God. ......

The place we arrived at was a corner of an abandoned park that was no longer in use. You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.
I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you have.

"...... You idiot. Why did you work so hard?
"Auntie... because...
I know, I know. I know. ...... I know exactly what you mean.
Diana. ...... Good girl. You're such a sweet girl. You're my pride and joy.

Elizabeth held Deanna in her arms at almost the same time that Deanna broke down in tears.

"Mother, ......!　I'm sorry, I...
"It's okay. You did really, really well.
You didn't do anything wrong. ......
Idiot. Do you know how many people have been saved because of you?

Fiona gently pats Diana's head as she sits down.

You had no right to do this. You're such a good-for-nothing.
"Because I thought it would start a war.
...... Yeah, you're right. You're too kind. I'm sure you'll find out and won't let it happen.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

You have to protect ....... It's a responsibility you've been given.
It's good that you ran away. You are the Countess of Clester. No one can blame you. At most, you'll give the Cresta family a bad name.
No. ...... No, aunt. I can't just run away.
"...... Deanna.

Elizabeth squeezed Deanna's body in a tight embrace. She clung to her mother, and her sister squirmed.

I'm not being nice. It's for my own good. I don't want to see war. I don't want my people to die because of us. Many girls have gone from Crestor to marry in other lands. If there's a war, we can protect our own people, but we can't protect the people of other lands.
...... So, what about you?
If I had done something, if I hadn't run away, none of this would have happened. I don't want to have that kind of regret anymore. I don't want that kind of regret anymore. ...... That's why I decided to do my best.
"Diana ......
Why can't you protect it? I'm not sure what you mean by that. It's unreasonable that she, who has done nothing wrong, should suffer!

I want to protect my country. --I want to protect Shayla.
I want to stop the war. --I want to make Shayla happy.

Two incompatible, irreconcilable events. If you put one before the other, the other will not come true. The more she tries to save the country, the more the king's "favored princess" becomes a problem. If Shayla wasn't there, things would go much faster. Or if she could just ignore her presence.

"I couldn't protect you, Shayla. I've done nothing but hurt her. The country, the people. --I'll never be able to protect anything!

I can't protect anything! The more things you want to protect, the harder it is to fulfill that universal desire.
Maybe Deanna is just greedy. With all the people in the country, with the people she loves. The more things you want to protect, the harder it is to achieve. ...... Thinking about it, ever since I was a little girl.

"...... Hey, Deanna. Can I ask you one question?

I'm sure you'll agree that it's a great idea.

"What you're trying to protect is very big. It's not something you can protect all by yourself.
"Aunt ......
A country. A country is not something you can protect alone. A country is not meant to be defended by one person. If you put too much burden on someone else to protect it, there will always be some distortions and sacrifices. ...... For example, if you feel like you're putting Shayla through a lot, that's probably not the right way to protect her.


"The right way to protect ......?

Deanna's eyes twinkled. Fiona smiled softly and patted her on the head.

"Think about it. It's not easy, but it's the right way to protect your country. It may be difficult, but as long as you don't give up, the path will never be broken.

Hope returned to Deanna's eyes. Finally, after giving her heart all she had, she was able to...
She smiled with the same clear eyes as when she was a child.