Dorian Havilliard endures an afternoon at court beside Queen Georgina, bored by music, gossip, and noble maneuvering. He thinks uneasily of the Eye Eater’s corpse, which Chaol has been investigating, and of Sven’s failed escape and death, but Dorian reassures himself that Chaol can manage the danger.

Queen Georgina turns the conversation toward family and succession. After mentioning Dorian’s younger brother Hollin, she insists Dorian must marry soon to secure an heir and prevent Hollin from inheriting. Dorian resists her suggestions, including noblewomen such as Elise and Kaltain, and feels increasingly alienated from the shallow court life around him.

Queen Georgina gives Dorian a sealed list of potential brides, all noblewomen considered suitable to bear heirs. Restless and suffocated by court expectations, Dorian leaves the gathering and wanders the castle, thinking about his hounds and his own dissatisfaction with palace life.

Dorian hears swordplay and finds Celaena in the Champions’ training room after hours, sparring impressively against three guards. Princess Nehemia is also there, dressed for practice and carrying a staff. Alarmed by Celaena’s access to weapons and Nehemia’s presence after Sven’s escape attempt, Dorian pulls Celaena aside and questions why Chaol is absent.

Celaena explains that Brullo allowed her to keep practicing before the next Test and that Nehemia insisted on joining her. Dorian tries to forbid Nehemia from sparring, but Celaena needles him, translates Nehemia’s defiance, and tricks him by telling the princess that Dorian has volunteered as her partner.

Dorian refuses to spar with Nehemia’s staff, deflects Celaena’s taunts with flirtation, and chooses wooden swords instead. To avoid being humiliated while still satisfying the princess, Dorian begins giving Nehemia a basic swordplay lesson.