Chaol leads Celaena into the glass addition’s crowded throne room, where the sealed chamber, the monstrous fireplace, and the king’s presence unsettle her. She takes her place beside Dorian and tries to conceal her fear as the King of Adarlan addresses the gathered sponsors and their Champions.

Celaena studies the competition and realizes twenty-three men stand between her and freedom. Most seem chosen for strength rather than intelligence, though one black-haired young man appears observant, and Cain, Duke Perrington’s enormous Champion, immediately strikes her as dangerous. The king explains that the competitors will train daily, face weekly tests, and endure additional eliminations if necessary; the final four will duel after Yulemas for the title of King’s Champion.

The king’s voice, sword Nothung, and stare force Celaena to confront her hatred of him and the shame of potentially serving as his killer. Still, because winning is her only path out of slavery, Celaena bows, thanks him, and silently commits to surviving the thirteen-week competition. Dorian then interrupts and leaves, and the meeting ends with a threat of execution for anyone who causes trouble.

Outside the throne room, Dorian joins Celaena and Chaol and reveals the false identity prepared for her: Lady Lillian Gordaina, a wealthy Bellhaven merchant’s daughter and secret jewel thief whom Dorian supposedly recruited as his Champion. Dorian warns that her true identity as Adarlan’s Assassin must remain hidden so the other competitors cannot use it against her. Celaena assesses Cain as powerful but potentially too slow, while downplaying the threat of the others.

The group encounters Lady Kaltain Rompier, whose calculated approach to Dorian makes clear her court ambitions. Dorian introduces Celaena as Lady Lillian, then flirts with Celaena to needle Kaltain, and Celaena joins the performance with amusement. After Kaltain leaves to meet Duke Perrington, Celaena and Chaol mock her vanity and politics, briefly sharing an easier rapport.

At Celaena’s rooms, Chaol declines lunch because he must prepare men for the king’s journey, but he reminds her that the competition truly begins the next day and that she should rest. Despite rolling her eyes and slamming the door, Celaena is left in a surprisingly good mood and hums through her meal.