liked this write up, it highlighted a few interseting thing for chapter 2.
https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/52498/the-marriage-contract/11

A Goldfeather Queen with a Obarskyr King would be great. If we do not like Matrim for it, we can find someone else that is sympathetic to an independent Arabel?

Otherwise, yes to a strong figurehead. Council staying too. Just make it clear they aren't there to deal with the everyday politics but with the threats to the city state and the like.