Zelda, was a smart woman. She didn't belong to nobility but she had the power to gain support from the people who were strong financially than her. She had the inspiration and the strength to go and sit on top of the entire world, but the only thing that pulled her back was the thought that she was a woman.
She thought her, being a woman was a long curse for her and that's the reason why she decided that she will become Queen of a big kingdom like Aartals.
The only thing that stood as an obstacle in front of her was that it was the king's will as to whom he will take as his queen. She was nothing but helpless when she got to know this fact and thus she had to complete against twenty four other girls to become the crown princess and then the queen.