Oh, yeah, I definitely agree--- not only that Raminas was not about to let a Solidor, even a ~third son~, near the throne of Dalmasca, but even that the Watsonian explanation (as opposed to the Doyleist, "because we wouldn't have a game if they were happily married") is basically to do with the idea that Dalmasca's enmity with the empire runs too deep to be patched over with an alliance-marriage. (Sidenote: I cannot spend time writing in this fandom, it seems, without my normal writing turning into purple prose!)
...on the other hand, I have an incredible fascination with the idea of Vayne and Ashe betrothed as children, when neither of them are their kingdoms'/fathers' heirs--- and the adolescent Vayne, in particular, as third son in a cutthroat dynasty, thinking of his wedding to this Dalmascan princess as an escape, a way out of the nest of vipers that is his family, especially if he can somehow arrange to bring Larsa along with him when he leaves for Rabanastre. (And, yes, possibly a means to manipulate himself into a stronger position, because he's a viper himself, lol.) (I also have this ridic headcanon that Ashe was spoiled rotten by at least some of her elder brothers, and that if they met before she was of age, she'd probably automatically fit him into that role in her head. And, demonstrably, he falls naturally into the role of overprotective big brother, see also: Larsa.) (I could talk forever about Vayne and Larsa, actually, and how Vayne is scarily selfless about Larsa even if he doesn't always quite understand him--- for instance, how Vayne's drive to become the Dynast-King is really about making Larsa the Dynast-King and specifically handing him the throne of a united Ivalice where there is nobody left who wants to oppose and more to the point harm him.)
Blitzkiss to follow lest I break the comment-character limit! :D
Re: "Imperfect Solutions", FFXII (OG): Vayne/Ashe, PG
Oh, yeah, I definitely agree--- not only that Raminas was not about to let a Solidor, even a ~third son~, near the throne of Dalmasca, but even that the Watsonian explanation (as opposed to the Doyleist, "because we wouldn't have a game if they were happily married") is basically to do with the idea that Dalmasca's enmity with the empire runs too deep to be patched over with an alliance-marriage. (Sidenote: I cannot spend time writing in this fandom, it seems, without my normal writing turning into purple prose!)
...on the other hand, I have an incredible fascination with the idea of Vayne and Ashe betrothed as children, when neither of them are their kingdoms'/fathers' heirs--- and the adolescent Vayne, in particular, as third son in a cutthroat dynasty, thinking of his wedding to this Dalmascan princess as an escape, a way out of the nest of vipers that is his family, especially if he can somehow arrange to bring Larsa along with him when he leaves for Rabanastre. (And, yes, possibly a means to manipulate himself into a stronger position, because he's a viper himself, lol.) (I also have this ridic headcanon that Ashe was spoiled rotten by at least some of her elder brothers, and that if they met before she was of age, she'd probably automatically fit him into that role in her head. And, demonstrably, he falls naturally into the role of overprotective big brother, see also: Larsa.) (I could talk forever about Vayne and Larsa, actually, and how Vayne is scarily selfless about Larsa even if he doesn't always quite understand him--- for instance, how Vayne's drive to become the Dynast-King is really about making Larsa the Dynast-King and specifically handing him the throne of a united Ivalice where there is nobody left who wants to oppose and more to the point harm him.)
Blitzkiss to follow lest I break the comment-character limit! :D