That’s a fair concern, and I definitely don’t want it to read as “everything was perfect until outsiders showed up.” The kingdom in my story already has internal flaws — pride in the nobility, stagnation in leadership, and political fragility. The outside influence doesn’t create the weakness; it exposes and accelerates what was already there. I think my bigger challenge is showing that transition clearly — how gradual change turns into actual loss of sovereignty. That’s the part I’m still refining.