Alizeh is stunned when Miss Huda reveals that she received a cream-colored envelope instructing her to deliver an enclosed package to a young woman with silver eyes. The handwriting matches the mysterious note Alizeh received with her gown, making Alizeh uneasy despite the apparent connection to her protector. Miss Huda presses Alizeh about her identity, and Alizeh admits only that her life is in danger and that she is running.

Miss Huda’s excitement gives way to vulnerability as she describes her own isolated life, caught between social ranks and mocked even by her family. Alizeh’s nosta confirms the truth of Huda’s unhappiness, and a fragile sympathy forms between the two young women. Huda finally gives Alizeh the pale yellow box, which magically reveals lavender boots matching the gown and a note saying the shoes will lead the way when the path is unclear.

The note changes in Alizeh’s hands, warning her not to be alarmed and claiming the unseen writer is not her enemy. Alizeh rushes behind a dressing screen to change into the gown and boots, becoming invisible while she does so. A strange young man then appears in Huda’s room, mistakenly addresses Huda as “Your Majesty,” and reveals that Alizeh’s plans for the evening have been compromised.

Alizeh emerges and questions the stranger, who refuses to give his name and says only that he is repaying an old debt to their mutual friend. The nosta indicates that he is not lying, though he is neither warmly allied with Alizeh nor personally invested in her survival. He explains that the dress protects Alizeh’s identity from those who wish her harm, the shoes help guide her, and he will escort Alizeh to the ball before moving her to a secure transport.

Because Huda has seen too much, the stranger recommends killing her, but Alizeh refuses and decides to take Huda with them instead. Huda panics and repeatedly promises silence, but the nosta exposes her promises as false. When Huda’s fear makes her cry, the stranger magically silences her, refuses Alizeh’s demand to undo it, places his hat on his head, and suddenly plunges Alizeh into endless darkness.