for, primarily, the emperor's stepdaughter. The emperor's daughter objected (9)
I believe the answer is:
protested
'objected' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'for primarily the emperor's stepdaughter the emperor's daughter' is the wordplay.
'for' becomes 'pro' (as in being 'pro' or in favour of something).
'primarily' says to take the initial letters.
'daughter' becomes 'd' (genealogical abbreviation).
The initial letters of 'the emperors stepdaughter the emperors' is 'teste'.
'pro'+'teste'+'d'='PROTESTED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for protested that I've seen before include "Expressed opposition through action or words" , "Uttered words of dissent" , "Dissented, resisted" , "Made objection or complaint" , "Expressed disapproval, objected" .)