For the Sünstoian people, it was important that the wedding symbolized not the loss of a daughter, but the combining of an entire family. Considering the groups in the north only had each other to rely on in such harsh conditions, it was important that communities lacked strife and could trust one another.
It wasn't the communities that killed one another but the weather and monsters. Why add to the conflict?
That was always something Irene admired about her lineage. They were seemingly more honorable than the average Perodan. You wouldn't find bandits stealing from one another or discrepancies in ability to thrive between a village leader and a laborer.
Her father liked the knighthood because of its honor system, chivalry. Irene had followed in his footsteps in that way. The Sünstoian heart sought honor, and that was what Henry was to her.
