I think we have directions we can take. We somehow manage to build up our reputation enough with the aid of the princesses mentioned elsewhere here to begin diplomatic ties with the nobles here. The problem is, we'd have to join together. It'd be a group effort. And then we'd have to explain why our princesses are here. I'm not saying that we can't butter up the nobles without that. We might have to. I just think we're going to have to pull a little Aladdin-esque scheme to get on their sides, and the princesses will be the easiest sell.

[A beat.]

And then there's bypassing the nobles altogether. Per username Fiona, they're scared. They want to leave. No nobles means less pressure. It could also mean no influence for us if they're the only means to knocking on the Empress' door, but I'd like to think that taking them off the board is a safer bet than letting them stick around while scared.

Then again, you could argue that fear will keep them from pressuring for war. It depends.