''Valentina is the only option for the Queen''
Not gonna happen, neither her mother or her sisters
Well Valentina our gods choosen and Lydia make probably the best ones, objectively speaking...but yeah, i don't like either, so i'd go for Estrid, Kaylan or Eliana (our lovely bar wench)
Yeah the west-faction provides nothing but empty promisses and 'subtle' threats, from a organization which has barely, if any power and most don't really care about. Not to mention their queen selection just sucks, it's the worst of all 3 factions, the only possitive is that they don't mind a queen from the military faction if they are allied.
But yeah, Valentina was a rather disliked character early on, so roy gave her ''some'' character growth...which is a good idea, in theory.
Started as the childish, single minded MC fangirl, which no one took serious and married to her was more viewed as punishment.
Now she is a you mentioned a deus ex machina character. Good fighter all of sudden, has political allies which actually did send her funds (just in case it's needed, bevor the king even died) + promisse of support of several provincial governors, intelligent and has knowledge of politics, history..., favored by Anna, comes with a loyal Tamura, which offers to train superior cavalry etc...i mean, speaking about going a bit overboard in just a few days.
On the other hand the rest of the family took a real nosedive imo.
Helena, never was a fan of that old hag, but how she treats Valentina (especialy in the last 2 or 3 updates) really makes me want to give her a good bitch slap or two...and i'm not even a Valentina fan, althought she got way more sympathetic the last couple of updates.
Cassia...''I have other intelligence. Fashion intelligence...''
I mean, do you even need to add something there, she's a trophy wife at best...a bitchy, arrogant and narcissistic one, her only interests are her social standing and to waste money...obviously also completely lacks in anything to be a good support for the MC or the empire.
Aelinia, started out really good, sympathetic, intelligent and with knowledge about the empire, i liked her early on...than she started with her constant bitching, making demands, and became a alcoholic, i mean, whenever you see her she is downing a bottle, followed by more bitching as soon as something doesn't go her way...and i agree with Lydia, she's way to sure of her own brilliance.
As for her knowledge about ruling, i'd say she can't read the room.
Marius...i really hope we can depose of that little shit. Ideally something like an unfortunate accident on some military campaign...you know, arrow in the knee, followed by a sword through his neck