After Crown Prince Dorian orders the guards out but keeps Captain Chaol in the room, Celaena notices the risk of leaving her with so little restraint. Dorian warns Celaena that her arrogance could endanger her chance at freedom, a word that immediately overwhelms her with memories and longing for the outside world.

Dorian explains that the King of Adarlan wants a Champion: someone to handle enemies and difficult political problems through violence. Celaena mocks the idea of becoming the king’s servant, but Dorian makes the stakes clear: refusing means remaining in Endovier, while accepting could eventually earn her freedom.

Dorian then reveals the catch. The king is staging a competition in Rifthold, with council members sponsoring thieves, assassins, and warriors from across Erilea. Celaena would compete as Dorian’s candidate under an alias because the kingdom does not know that the feared Adarlan’s Assassin is actually a young woman.

Celaena bristles at being asked to prove herself, while Chaol argues that her reputation only proves she is dangerous and untrustworthy. Dorian offers freedom after five years as Champion if she wins; Celaena bargains him down to four years, recognizing that the offer is still another form of slavery but better than certain death in the mines.

Dorian warns that if Celaena loses, she will be sent back to Endovier to finish her sentence, which Celaena knows would kill her. Even so, Celaena accepts, and Dorian orders Chaol to clean her up before they depart for Rifthold in the morning. As Chaol leads her away, Celaena clings to the possibility of going home at last and resolves to win her freedom.