Evangeline wakes at the Mermaid and the Pearls feeling as if her new engagement to Prince Apollo has transformed waking life into a dream. After years of fragile hope and dreams of her dead parents, she is relieved to find herself still in Valorfell, no longer alone, and engaged to a prince.

Marisol enters with tea and tries to celebrate Evangeline's proposal, though her strained cheer reveals how painful the moment is for her. When Marisol says a handsome blue-haired man named Jacks danced with her and made her hopeful, Evangeline reacts sharply because she knows Jacks is dangerous. Marisol interprets the warning as judgment, briefly resents Evangeline's good fortune, then apologizes and admits she feels as if life has left her without a place.

Evangeline comforts Marisol and recognizes that her stepsister's loneliness and insecurity come partly from being torn down by her mother. Although Evangeline is not ready to confess her dealings with Jacks or the truth behind Marisol's ruined wedding, Evangeline resolves to make amends and considers using her future position beside Apollo to help Marisol find happiness.

The moment is interrupted by urgent pounding at the door. Apollo arrives with royal soldiers, terrified for Evangeline's safety after reading a new Daily Rumor article that celebrates the engagement while suggesting Princess Serendipity, Marisol, House Fortuna, or other angry rivals might harm Evangeline before the wedding. Evangeline hides the article from Marisol by throwing it into the fire, insists Marisol would never hurt her, and asks Apollo to stop Kristof Knightlinger from printing more lies about her stepsister.

Apollo softens under Evangeline's request and promises to help if it will make her happy. Still shaken by the threat implied in the gossip sheet, Apollo asks Evangeline to move into Wolf Hall with him so he can keep her safe from any danger before their wedding.