To clarify, Rafi thinks Maria was killed (essentially from juxtaposition) and didn't commit suicide. But in whatever case of which, he wants to check on this himself as her older twin brother. I'm not clear why they didn't spend much time together, but regardless he's baffled as to why the King (who I'm sure suspects him to be a man with his gay intuition) is willing to check on him, despite not showing interest in Maria. He's contemplating whether she actually did kill herself from witnessing the Kings rare warmth, or its all a facade. Personally, I think she was killed, but also that the king doesn't pay attention to the women not just cause he's obviously gay, but out of spite of his mother not to lead the queens on. His mom seems to be banking on an heir, probably because the king himself is only a halfblooded royal, which leads me to believe she couldn't habe children herself so her husband acquired a cocubine OR, she herself is the acquired concubine so it ensures their lineage. Gotta remember that any royals prior to we'll say the 19th century were more concerned about a legacy than their old age half the time. That being said, the King is probably indirectly protecting these consorts in a way by not forcing them to bear an heir. It's quite convoluted of a story but interesting in the mystery
To clarify, Rafi thinks Maria was killed (essentially from juxtaposition) and didn't commit suicide. But in whatever case of which, he wants to check on this himself as her older twin brother. I'm not clear why they didn't spend much time together, but regardless he's baffled as to why the King (who I'm sure suspects him to be a man with his gay intuition) is willing to check on him, despite not showing interest in Maria. He's contemplating whether she actually did kill herself from witnessing the Kings rare warmth, or its all a facade. Personally, I think she was killed, but also that the king doesn't pay attention to the women not just cause he's obviously gay, but out of spite of his mother not to lead the queens on. His mom seems to be banking on an heir, probably because the king himself is only a halfblooded royal, which leads me to believe she couldn't habe children herself so her husband acquired a cocubine OR, she herself is the acquired concubine so it ensures their lineage. Gotta remember that any royals prior to we'll say the 19th century were more concerned about a legacy than their old age half the time. That being said, the King is probably indirectly protecting these consorts in a way by not forcing them to bear an heir. It's quite convoluted of a story but interesting in the mystery