Talasyn prepares for the engagement banquet in her dressing room, her thoughts consumed by the near-kiss with Alaric in the plumeria grove. She reflects on how she shivered at his touch and wanted him to kiss her, despite knowing who he is. She recalls how Sol and Khaede shared such easy affection, and feels sick comparing that genuine love to her own confused feelings toward the enemy. Her lady-in-waiting Jie cheerfully remarks that Alaric is handsome, further flustering Talasyn, and chatters about Nenavarene courtship customs, expressing hope that Alaric will "romance" Talasyn properly.

Queen Urduja and Prince Elagbi visit Talasyn's solar to clear the air about withholding information regarding the Voidfell and the Night of the World-Eater. Urduja explains her strategy: by letting Talasyn learn the truth alongside Alaric rather than beforehand, she ensured Alaric would view Talasyn as guileless and not fully in Urduja's confidence, building a measure of trust. Elagbi pushed for the disclosure to preserve family bonds. Talasyn, emboldened partly by Alaric's earlier observation that Urduja underestimates her, firmly tells her grandmother she refuses to be a pawn again and insists they work together as equals going forward. Urduja, after a tense moment, agrees.

At the banquet, Alaric waits nervously for Talasyn, still processing the almost-kiss. When she arrives in a stunning iridescent teal gown, he is struck speechless and offers his arm. They exchange light banter about her heels and his height as they enter the hall together. The massive banquet table is lined with Dominion nobles who rise at their entrance, while Urduja watches from the head of the table. Alaric and Talasyn are seated together in the center, surrounded by Nenavarene aristocrats and separated from his own delegation.

The nobles begin probing Alaric with pointed questions about his past conflict with Talasyn and his actions at the Belian garrison. Alaric handles the interrogation with measured diplomacy, acknowledging his actions without apology while emphasizing the treaty's purpose. When Daya Odish of Irrawad directly challenges Kesath's trustworthiness, Alaric firmly states he won't be the first to break the treaty's terms. Caught between defending the betrothal and not appearing submissive, Talasyn panics and deflects by praising the soup, which Harjanti and her husband Praset deftly turn into a conversation about mining, rescuing the moment.

As the dinner progresses, the tension eases. Alaric teases Talasyn about her soup commentary, and she banters back. The elder nobles share warm stories about Talasyn's birth—how Prince Elagbi ran around in a panic during her labor—prompting Talasyn to laugh heartily. Alaric is transfixed by her unguarded laughter and instinctively reaches to touch her arm before catching himself. He reflects that Talasyn is the most genuine person in the room, recognizing a dangerous affection growing within him. The chapter ends abruptly when a lanky, armed man appears in the doorway: Surakwel Mantes, Lueve Rasmey's nephew, whom the nobles identify as someone who loathes the Night Empire. Harjanti and Ralya warn that his arrival means trouble.