Kel spends the day before the state dinner trying and failing to speak privately with Conor about Prosper Beck’s claim that Conor repaid his debt in Sarthian coin. Palace preparations consume them: Mayesh briefs Conor on Malgasi relations, tailors fit Conor in politically careful finery and Kel in unobtrusive gray, and Domna Talyn drills them in Malgasi etiquette. Kel decides he will have to wait until the next day to question Conor.

At the dinner, Queen Lilibet has decorated the Gallery in Malgasi colors, but tension rises when Ambassador Sarany takes offense at King Markus’s absence and presses Conor with pointed praise of Princess Elsabet Belmany. Sarany also insults the Ashkar, praising Malgasi as free of them and provoking Conor and Kel. King Markus then arrives unexpectedly with Fausten, whose eager behavior suggests he has been involved in arranging or manipulating the Malgasi visit.

Sarany reveals that Conor was promised before birth to Elsabet Belmany in a union supposedly foretold by the stars. Markus confirms it as Conor’s duty, shocking Lilibet and Conor. Sena Anessa interrupts and forces a counterrevelation: Conor has already signed a binding engagement contract with Princess Aimada of Sarthe, including a dowry payment. Kel realizes this likely explains the Sarthian money Prosper Beck received, but his involuntary mention of “ten thousand crowns” makes it appear he already knew.

The revelation destroys the Malgasi negotiation. Sarany denounces Fausten as a lying traitor, while Markus realizes Fausten may have been feeding him Malgasi-scripted prophecies. Markus orders Fausten sent to the Trick for treason, and Sarany departs in fury. When Conor tries to explain, Markus instead seizes him and declares that Conor does not belong to himself, then orders Legate Jolivet to take him away.

The chapter then shifts to Lin in the Sault, where she is helping prepare luck sachets for the Goddess Festival with Mariam when Chana summons her to the gates. Kel is waiting and pleads for Lin’s help, explaining in the carriage that Conor has been whipped by royal order until unconscious after displeasing Markus. Because Lilibet fears the political damage if Palace physicians or servants learn what happened, Kel brings Lin secretly to Marivent to treat Conor.

A final excerpt from Tales of the Sorcerer-Kings recounts Sulemon entering ruined Aram and finding Queen Adassa dying after spending her power to let her people escape. Sulemon threatens to hunt them anyway, leaving Adassa in despair.