The alliance between Mysore and France came about so suddenly that it surprised everyone involved.
This included the Marquis de Lafayette.
Upon leaving the Ambavilas Palace, he looked at Salah with a tone filled with bafflement and astonishment, "Are you really going to promote a marriage with the natives?!"
Salah responded with a polite smile, "This is a bargaining chip that His Highness the Crown Prince has left us to throw out when necessary. You yourself have said that the monsoon season is approaching.
"Moreover, this is merely the marriage between Duke Haji, oh no, Haji Bey and the Kingdom of Mysore, which has no real impact on the Royal Family.
"According to the secret agreement just now, the marriage will not be made public until the British are out of the Indian subcontinent. Only a secret wedding will take place, and the dowry will be paid. This way, it won't affect British-French diplomacy in the short term.