Kamran races after Alizeh after their kiss, driven by desire and confusion despite knowing his feelings conflict with his loyalty to King Zaal. Before Kamran can pursue Alizeh, Duchess Jamilah intercepts Kamran on the stairs and asks where Kamran has been.

Kamran helps Jamilah back down to the main floor, trying to compose himself. Jamilah teases Kamran about the servants gossiping over Kamran’s strange behavior, including Kamran’s brooding, Kamran’s interest in the street boy and snoda, and Kamran’s distracted wandering through the house. Kamran smiles, but Kamran remains unsettled and physically exhausted.

As Kamran and Jamilah pass through the great room, sunlight and a vase of pink roses remind Kamran painfully of Alizeh. Kamran questions whether every action of a prince must become public speculation, and Jamilah reminds Kamran that Kamran’s moods matter because Kamran will one day be king. Kamran resents the constant scrutiny and the expectations that bind Kamran’s life.

Jamilah grows worried and asks what has disordered Kamran. Kamran privately acknowledges that Alizeh has changed Kamran: Alizeh’s honesty, suffering, tenderness, and refusal to be impressed by Kamran’s crown have become essential to Kamran’s understanding of himself. Kamran is overwhelmed by memories of their intimacy but tells Jamilah only that Kamran slept poorly and needs food.

Jamilah then reveals that luncheon must be canceled because Hazan has come to fetch Kamran back to the palace. Kamran realizes that if Hazan came personally, rather than sending a messenger, something serious has happened. After a courteous farewell to Jamilah, Kamran enters the carriage with Hazan, who is visibly irritated.

Once the carriage door closes, Kamran drops Kamran’s polite manner and asks Hazan to explain. Hazan says the palace has received word from Tulan, ending the chapter with the implication that urgent news has arrived.