Chaol and Celaena run through the snowy game park, teasing each other as they train. Chaol privately reflects on how much he has begun to care whether Celaena returns from the king’s missions, and his thoughts turn to the guilt of killing Cain to save her during the duel.

When Chaol asks Celaena how often she thinks about the people she has killed, Celaena first mistakes the question for judgment, then realizes Chaol is struggling with Cain’s death. Celaena admits she never forgets those she has killed and tells Chaol that each death takes something from a person, but she insists Cain’s death was not dishonorable because Chaol acted to save her. Chaol is moved but pulls back, reminding himself that crossing the line between friendship and romance could endanger both of them and betray Dorian.

After the run, Celaena and Chaol return through the palace gardens, where noblewomen have gathered to admire Chaol. Chaol asks whether Celaena will spy on Archer Finn in Rifthold, and Celaena refuses his help because involving Chaol would complicate her plan to question Archer and then smuggle him to safety if necessary.

Dorian intercepts them with his cousin, Lord Roland Havilliard of Meah, newly appointed to the king’s council. Celaena, introduced under the alias Lillian, unnerves Roland by saying she buries the king’s opponents, but Roland responds with flirtatious interest. Chaol clearly dislikes Roland and quickly leads Celaena away, while Celaena feels repulsed by Roland’s oily manner.

From Dorian’s perspective, Roland’s appointment seems suspicious and unwelcome. Dorian recalls that Chaol once punched Roland hard enough to knock him out and wonders why the king would elevate an untried cousin from a politically minor city. Roland questions Celaena’s role as Champion, and Dorian, irritated, gives little away while privately wondering whether Roland is truly harmless.

Later, Celaena returns from shopping with many purchases and finds Dorian waiting in her rooms. Dorian asks her to behave like the friend she said she wanted to be, but Celaena keeps distance between them because he remains the son of the king who controls her fate. Though she misses Dorian and feels jealousy at the thought of him with other women, Celaena says she must return to Rifthold to watch Archer and finally tells Dorian to leave her alone; after he goes, she feels hollow and disgusted by her own luxuries.