Chapter Twenty

During a mandated reading of Solis’s war history, Priestess Analia nitpicks Poppy’s pronunciation and pushes propaganda equating Atlantians with bloodletting and Craven. When Poppy questions similarities between the Atlantians’ blood-drinking and the Ascended’s Blessing, Analia grows hostile, gripping Poppy’s chin and moving to slap her.

Hawke intervenes, seizing the Priestess’s wrist and warning her to release Poppy. Shaken, Analia ends the session, insulting Poppy’s worthiness with the Rite two days away. As Poppy and Hawke leave, they argue over the risk he took; Hawke refuses to accept abuse as normal and probes whether the Duke has caned Poppy.

In a quieter corridor, Hawke lists the constraints of Poppy’s life—veil, isolation, punishments—and asks if she would ever try to escape. Poppy admits Vikter would stop her and pointedly asks if Hawke would; he claims curiosity would stay his hand. They discuss the Rite, masks, and how the celebration changes afterward, while Poppy anticipates being unveiled yet masked.

By the window overlooking the gardens, they reflect on recent deaths and the Ascended’s discomfort with mortality. Hawke says he looks forward to seeing Poppy unveiled and prefers her unmasked honesty. Poppy shifts the topic to his family; when Hawke mentions a brother in the past tense, her gift senses his sharp grief.

Acting on instinct, Poppy briefly touches Hawke’s hand, focusing on soothing thoughts; his expression eases, and he describes a strange, pleasant feeling. He then claims his brother is not dead, offering no explanation. Uneasy over what her escalating gift may have done and wary of further missteps, Poppy asks to return to her room.