Epilogue

After Bastian crowns himself Sainted King, Lore sits beside him on a silver chair on the throne room dais. The placement is meant to show equality and offer protection, but Lore feels exposed and uneasy, especially because word has spread that Lore is a deathwitch and that August and Anton tried to use Lore. Rumors have already given Lore names like the poison queen, and news of Lore's power is beginning to reach Kirythea.

Bastian spends the morning handling the aftermath of the eclipse ball and the coup. Bastian hears petitions, reviews pardons, and punishes courtiers tied to the old regime. Dani and most of Dani's family are sentenced to the Burnt Isles, while Amelia escapes that fate through a recent marriage to Lord Demonde.

Mari and Val appear next to have their pardon and privateering contract renewed. Bastian not only restores their status but places Mari, Val, and their crew on the Citadel payroll. Lore notes that Bastian is also trying to legalize poison for the terminally ill and pardon poison runners without additional charges, but Mari and Val still look worried when they glance back at Lore before leaving.

Bastian announces one final case: Gabriel Remaut. Gabe enters without irons after two weeks imprisoned in a Church cloister, a more merciful confinement that Lore had requested and Bastian had granted. Gabe is haggard and contemptuous, and Lore fears Bastian may condemn Gabe for treason or involvement in murder.

Instead, Bastian abruptly requires Gabe to swear loyalty to the crown and the Church. When Gabe agrees, Bastian names Gabe the new Priest Exalted, instantly raising the former prisoner to the second most powerful position in Auverraine. Bastian then dismisses Gabe and declares that Bastian and Lore have much to discuss, confirming that Lore remains central to Bastian's new rule.