Alizeh and the Fesht boy sit in the Baz House kitchen under the scrutiny of Cook and many curious servants. Because the two speak Feshtoon, most onlookers lose interest and leave, giving them a little privacy before the fifteen-minute sand timer runs out. Alizeh notices that the boy has been cleaned, fed, and bandaged by the Diviners, and the boy apologizes for the injury he caused to her neck.

The boy introduces himself as Omid Shekarzadeh from Yent in Fesht province. Alizeh speaks warmly of Yent from her mother’s memories, and Omid is moved because most people insult Fesht and its people. Their shared grief over dead parents creates a moment of deep mutual understanding, marked by a traditional prayer for the dead.

Omid then reveals the real reason for his visit: he has come to invite Alizeh to the royal ball the following night. He shows her gilded invitations stamped with the royal seal, explaining that the king invited him as a special guest and that he persuaded the king’s men to give him a second invitation by saying a twelve-year-old needed a chaperone. Alizeh is stunned to realize the invitation is genuine and that the timing of the ball might allow her to leave Baz House after her duties.

As Alizeh imagines the rare pleasure of attending a royal event with a friend, Omid makes clear that the invitation is also his apology for trying to steal from her and nearly killing her. Alizeh accepts his apology and comforts him, but she questions why the royal officials were so generous. Omid answers with unexpected insight: he believes he is meant to attend as living proof of the empire’s mercy and as a trophy for the prince who saved him.

Before the meeting ends, Omid realizes he still does not know Alizeh’s name, and she quietly gives it to him. Mrs. Amina interrupts immediately as the timer expires and orders Alizeh back to work. Alizeh secretly hides the spare invitation in her sleeve, and as Omid is escorted out, he calls that he will meet Alizeh at nine tomorrow and tells her to wear something nice, without the snoda.