Secret election of the emperor
The secret election of the emperor was an internal choice of the Youlender house after the forced abdication of Edward I. Instead of a broad imperial assembly of the other houses, the core of the Youlenders secretly decided on the accession of Konrad II to prevent the destabilization of their rule and to end the impure Oled line.
The impure line of Oleda I.
Edward I succeeded Oled I, but his reign was plagued from the start by suspicions that his father had usurped the throne by murdering the rightful heir. Part of the Youlenders came to the conclusion that this line must not continue. Under the threat of civil war, Eduard was forced to abdicate. He formally abdicated, but in reality he did not have enough army or support to resist the House's decision.
Choice without the wider nobility
Originally, it might have seemed that a wider assembly of all important nobles would be called. However, the core of the Youlenders evaluated such a move as dangerous. An open assembly could challenge their claim and bring the other houses back into the crown's decision-making. Therefore, a secret election took place within the family. Konrad II, the uncle of Eduard I and the younger brother of Oled I and Theodore II, was chosen as the new emperor.
Return to acceptable government
Konrad II he was the perfect candidate for the moment. He had military successes, good relationships, and a reputation as a man who could calm disputes. His election helped end the worst part of the dynastic crisis. However, the secret election also showed that even the Youlender family is willing to bend the rules if they feel they are protecting their own rule and the stability of the empire.