@Titania07 it was told in early episodes that Pardus family turned to the North after being sent by the Emperor. They realized that the empire couldn't stand against the North. The whole family now works for the North but still pretends to be on the side of the Emperor. The assistant who married the stalker just did what he wanted since the Emperor would just think it is the youngest son being stupid. Varia's perspective is that of what the average citizen knows.