I don't know why Aly mentions the princess specifically when the countess can't start with her manipulation higher than 25 (which is to say, low enough not to be able to do anything useful with it)
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Because it was in response to a question about the princess <3
But I did give the double boost to the countess too. So in 1.10 it with new game + bonuses both the countess and the princess can have 50 manipulation as early as the welcome feast, which should hopefully be enough
(If it still proves too challenging I'll adjust again~)