Contents
Chapter 12
Overview
In a public luncheon, Moros showcases new near-indestructible stones, defends Maevyth from witchcraft slander, and abruptly sets their wedding for next week. Maevyth witnesses elite cruelty, is harassed by a captain, and discovers Moros abuses a Lyverian servant. She secretly protects the servant, hardening her distrust of Moros and the parish.
Summary
Maevyth endures an inspection by Agatha and Mr. Moros, then agrees to attend his public luncheon. She discovers Agatha has chosen a brutal executioner as Aleysia’s suitor, deepening Maevyth’s resolve to manage Moros and protect her sister.
At the opulent lunch with Foxglove elites, Moros unveils three milky, near-indestructible stones he mined from hardened lava. Guests brand Maevyth a witch and revisit Lilleven’s death, but Moros dismisses their superstition and subtly shields Maevyth’s reputation. He then announces their wedding will occur next week, shocking Maevyth.
The Vonkovyan captain beside Maevyth gropes her and mocks Lyverians during talk of the northern conflict. Moros frames war as resource-driven and the Lyverians as primitive, revealing his exploitation and prejudice.
When a Lyverian server, Danyra, spills tea, she leads Maevyth to the kitchen to clean the dress. There, Maevyth notices Danyra’s bruises and learns Moros abuses her. Housekeeper Shireen chillingly offers to “rid” the house of Danyra, but Maevyth forbids it, insisting Danyra remain alive, while dreading her looming marriage to Moros.
Who Appears
- Maevyth BronwickProtagonist; endures Moros’s public luncheon, is harassed by a captain, learns of Danyra’s abuse, and protects the servant from harm.
- Mr. MorosWealthy suitor; unveils near-indestructible stones, defends Maevyth from accusations, declares a wedding next week, and is revealed to abuse Danyra.
- Agatha BronwickAunt; belittles Maevyth’s ‘imperfections’ and presents an executioner as Aleysia’s suitor.
- Aleysia BronwickMaevyth’s sister; appears furious upon seeing the executioner chosen for her.
- Vonkovyan CaptainMilitary officer; boasts about suppressing Lyverians, gropes Maevyth under the table, and dismisses negotiation.
- DanyraLyverian servant; spills tea, reveals bruises, and silently confirms Moros’s abuse; protected by Maevyth.
- ShireenHousekeeper; offers to ‘rid’ the house of Danyra, which Maevyth firmly refuses.
- Foxglove Gazette scribeJournalist guest; prompts Moros to reveal his discovery of the milky, durable stones.
- Older male guestReactionary elite; brands Maevyth a witch and invokes The Banishing as proof.
- Woman in pinkSnobbish guest; parrots superstition, then fawns over Moros’s sudden wedding announcement.
- ExecutionerBanishing executioner; identified as the man Agatha selected as Aleysia’s suitor.