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Aunt Lydia secretly installs two battery cameras in the base of her statue to catch whoever is planting offerings meant to implicate her in idolatry. After days of little activity, she records Aunt Vidala, gloved, placing an egg, an orange, and a plastic baby, plus a lilac-embroidered handkerchief associated with Lydia, clearly framing her.

Lydia saves the images for leverage and weighs how best to turn Aunt Vidala against Aunt Elizabeth and possibly Aunt Helena, assessing who might be sacrificed or co-opted. She plans to inform Commander Judd that Baby Nicole is almost within reach via the Pearl Girls, while withholding details to keep control and exploit the propaganda value.

Shifting to a nine-years-prior incident, Lydia recalls being consulted by Aunt Lise after a Rubies student’s suicide attempt. The girl, Becka, had slashed at her wrists with secateurs and vowed to try again unless her wedding was cancelled.

Lydia learns that Becka fears sex—specifically penises—despite liking babies, and that counseling and pressure have failed. Calculating that forcing marriage would be lethal, Lydia agrees to admit Becka to Ardua Hall on six months’ probation, provided she can learn to read and obey.

In a private interview, Lydia hints at justice for Becka’s unnamed past abuser, promises safety, and secures Becka’s gratitude and compliance. Becka departs to receive an Aunt’s uniform and choose a new name, while Lydia notes the strategic value of banking such gratitude.