In fact, for all the doom and gloom friend and foe alike predict in Rands despotic rule, he's no worse than a lot of monarchs and better than most, so announcing she's the Dragons baby momma would probably please at least as many people as it alienated. It would just incidentally send every Dreadlord, Darkfriend and Shadowspawn on the planet screaming for her throat, not to mention every fanatic, lunatic and/or idiot in full blown denial who thinks the Last Battle can be averted if the Dragon Rebon just isn't there. Politics don't stop her from leaving the father of her children in doubt, despite the fact she's not married, or encouraging the notion that it's an obscure and lecherous Guardsman of dubious reputation. She's not covering her own rear, she's covering Rands and the babies. Of the three siblings, Elayne has the most palatable and, IMHO, most beneficial take on "do the right thing". Far better than Galads habit of sacrificing morality for legality, or Gawyns seeming conviction morality is defined by whatever you find most excruciating at the moment. That's not to say Elaynes balance is flawless, it's just a lot less destructive and unbearable than her brothers.