On the day of the Sarthian princess’s formal arrival, Kel sits uneasily among the Charter Families in Valerian Square. Castellane’s nobles and citizens are divided, curious, and resentful about Conor’s sudden engagement to Sarthe. Antonetta arrives without Lady Alleyne, wearing a daring dress of her own choosing after her mother’s hopes for Conor collapse, and she quietly tells Kel that House Alleyne is trying to save face.

The Sarthian carriages arrive, and Conor emerges with Queen Lilibet to meet the expected Princess Aimada. Instead, Sena Anessa presents a much younger girl, Princess Luisa d’Eon, guarded by Vienne d’Este of the Black Guard. The Charter Families immediately understand the public insult: Sarthe has exploited the marriage contract by substituting a child whose many official names include Aimada.

As the nobles leave in anger, Antonetta points out that Conor’s response will determine whether the insult becomes a wider conflict. Kel rushes down from the dais, reaches Conor, and urges him in Marakandi to bow to Luisa because the betrayal is not the child’s fault. Conor controls his rage, bows, and gives Luisa a brooch, while Anessa coldly confirms the contractual trick and Lilibet identifies it as revenge.

After the ceremony is smoothed over by music, flowers, and a hurried departure, Kel goes to retrieve Asti and finds Ji-An disguised in place of Manish. Ji-An says Andreyen wants to see Kel because Kel has been absent since visiting Prosper Beck. She leads Kel to the Ragpicker King’s carriage, where Andreyen already knows enough to connect Conor’s debt, Sarthe’s money, and the political backlash.

Kel tells Andreyen that Beck is an opportunist backed by a Hill patron who wants to destabilize House Aurelian, but Kel deliberately hides Beck’s claim that Antonetta’s locket contains the patron’s name. Andreyen presses Kel to investigate Gremont and even suggests speaking to Fausten in the Trick, arguing that Kel will need his help to protect Conor. Kel refuses to cross that line and tries to end their arrangement without making an enemy; before leaving, Kel confronts Ji-An with rumors of a Geumjoseon bloodbath, and Ji-An threatens to kill him if he mentions it again.