Independent Kingdom of Leon

How can the Kingdom of Leon remain independent from Castile? In the many alternate Spain's I have seen a few things keep recurring, namely a larger Portugal and an independent Aragon. But what of Leon? How can it remain independent from being absorbed into Castile? The union between Leon and Castile was never accepted by Leonese people. King Ferdinand III needed 2 years to defeat the pro-independence revolts.

And what of the effects of the independence of Leon on the history of Iberia? For example, without the merger of the two kingdoms, would Portugal have split and declared its independence?

What do you think?
 
I am not an expert on this topic, but I think you would only need to change the
succession - the marriage tactics or series of children born in royal families.
It will help a small entity as Leon if there is no such dominating realm
on Christian side as OTL's Spain.
 
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