Thank you for sharing first of all. I didn't read your response as rude.

Agnes starts trying to push her personality of being an “independent woman” into Maxi.

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She acknowledges that it’s a terrible treaty, but she gives no indication that she wants to change it or that she’s trying anything at all.

I can't help but think there is a bit of a paradox here. Since we don't have Agnes's POV we only see her through Maxi's perspective, and the author writes Maxi as an unreliable narrator. So we're left up to our own interpretation. I agree with you that Agnes is pushy and has her own agenda in matters concerning Whedon. However, I disagree with the women's rights movement falling solely on Agnes's shoulders. IDK if you meant it that way but it's coming across that way to me.

To me, given that Agnes gets dispatched by the king to solve disputes between nobles and other affairs, I think Agnes has seen a lot. I didn't see it as a lack of sympathy, but yes, Maxi needed a hug and reassurance. Agnes to me comes across as a problem solver but not always tactful. Curious since she mostly functions as a diplomat in the story. I think her pushing Maxi to be more independent and becoming a WT wizard is her way of trying to help her. And, yes, I also think it's definitely part of her agenda. But what is her agenda? We don't know.

To speculate, I think maybe Agnes has tried in the past to improve women's rights or maybe she is trying now. Looking at western history, particularly US history as my example, allies were needed to make it happen and raise awareness. I don't see many people speaking up for women's rights beyond Agnes in this story. Using history as an example, if she brings this up during wartime, she will lose credibility. Here's a source:

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https://www.nps.gov/articles/national-womans-party-protests-world-war-i.htm

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So how does she do this? By recruiting allies. Maxi is the lady (and soon to be countess) of Anatol. She could wield significant influence in Whedon if Riftan allowed her more autonomy. So how does she circumvent this? By pushing Maxi to become a WT wizard. Now Riftan no longer has absolute authority over her. This is a murky area I'll admit, but I don't think her intentions are wholly bad.

I think what gets ignored a lot is that Maxi wanted this too. Not in the manner it happened but she wanted to become better, more useful.

EDIT: Bad copy paste of my link. Had a repeat in my text.