Kel returns to the rooms he shares with Conor after visiting Fausten in disguise as the Prince. Afraid to be discovered, Kel quickly changes out of Conor’s clothes and hides the coronet before Conor emerges exhausted from the tepidarium.

Conor explains that Sarthe has trapped Castellane with the marriage agreement: because Conor agreed to marry a Princess of Aquila named Aimada, Sarthe can substitute the child Luisa, whose name also fits the terms. Anessa argues that accepting Luisa preserves Sarthe’s alliance, while rejecting her would mean war. Conor, believing he cannot deliberately endanger Castellane, accepts the arrangement despite his despair.

Kel chooses not to tell Conor about Fausten’s warning that Kel will one day betray him. Instead, Kel comforts Conor, and the two sit together as Conor admits his bleakness. Kel says he would take Conor’s place in this burden if he could, and Conor believes him.

Later, Lin waits outside Mayesh Bensimon’s house in the Sault after hearing about the crisis at the Palace. Mayesh invites her inside, and their conversation turns from the public scandal to his position as Counselor, the precarious place of the Ashkar, and the royal marriage. Mayesh confirms that Luisa will be raised in the Little Palace and marry Conor years later.

Mayesh tells Lin that Conor acted from desperation and lacked proper guidance from a true king. He then presses Lin to consider becoming Counselor after him. Lin hesitates because she has worked hard to become a physician, but Mayesh argues that Lin’s ambition and appetite for challenge make her suited to the role; Lin privately thinks of the magical knowledge and books she might access through power.

Mayesh mentions that House Roverge will still host a party originally meant to welcome Princess Aimada, now repurposed for Luisa. Lin recalls the Cabrols’ grudge against the Roverges but decides not to reveal what she knows about Cabrol’s revenge plot. Mayesh asks Lin to accompany him to the party so she can observe the Charter Families before giving her answer, and Lin agrees once Mayesh assures her Mariam can help with suitable clothing.