On the evening of the Hunter’s Moon, the Court gathers in the Milkwood for Locke’s revel. Jude sees Cardan enthroned on a stone seat and is struck by how kingly he appears, which unsettles her because she depends on him being her puppet. Cardan reveals he has ensured Taryn is absent, then warns Jude to leave, but Jude stays because she wants to settle her debt to Lord Roiben and the Court of Termites.

Jude notices Cardan wearing the ring he stole from her and sees Grimsen present Nicasia with him nearby, offering Cardan what appears to be a newly made magical earring. Jude finds Dulcamara of the Court of Termites and tries to address Roiben’s favor, but Dulcamara refuses repayment and instead warns that the debt can be called in later, possibly by placing herself as Jude’s guard or borrowing Grimsen. Jude remains burdened by the debt, her weakening control over Cardan, the unknown traitor, and Nicasia’s possible role.

Locke announces the crowning of a “Queen of Mirth,” a cruel game usually played on glamoured mortal girls. Jude realizes too late that Locke has chosen her. Because glamours do not work on Jude, and because the Court knows she can see the truth, the humiliation becomes a sharper spectacle: imps bring a ragged dress and a foul mushroom crown while Locke prompts Cardan to mock her publicly.

Cardan insults Jude’s beauty before the Court, and Jude responds by stripping off her own dress and accepting the ragged costume on her own terms, refusing to appear cowed. When Jude whispers that she hates Cardan, Cardan’s private response suggests desire rather than simple cruelty. Locke then pushes Jude into the dancing crowd, where the music compels her body to keep moving despite her fear and resistance.

Jude uses her titles as Queen of Mirth and seneschal to halt the musicians and demand a reel with Cardan, turning the game back on the Court by showing she knows its rules. During the dance, Jude accuses Cardan of enjoying her humiliation, while Cardan reminds her that she tricked him into becoming king. Jude begins to suspect Locke’s true target may have been Cardan’s reaction rather than Jude herself.

After the dance, Cardan permits Jude to withdraw. Jude leaves the revel shaken and watches the sea near the Milkwood, where she sees selkies rising from the water with silver blades. The chapter ends with the Undersea arriving at the Hunter’s Moon revel, turning Locke’s cruel entertainment into an immediate political and military threat.