Alexander Summers told Purple Summers that the engagement was not only to consolidate his own power but also to assure Lily Howard.
The Howard family was like a small dynasty, and Lily was the princess. A princess is usually fragile, without real power, and can be married off at any moment, to be exploited by others. Especially in the Howard family, with an abundance of princes and princesses, they were not highly valued. If Lily, as a princess, wanted to live a life of noble splendor, she needed to cooperate with Alexander Summers.
Alexander was like a regent.
The Howard family respected him, feared him, submitted to his authority, and at the same time deeply worried, concerned that their small dynasty might one day have a change of regime.
Therefore, Alexander and Lily made such an absurd move.