Isla remembers first meeting Celeste after a lifetime of being taught that the Starling ruler would be an enemy. Terra had warned Isla that, as the two youngest rulers, Isla and Celeste would be targets and that only one of them might survive. Instead, Isla accidentally portaled into Celeste’s castle, and the two girls formed a secret bond that became sisterly rather than hostile.

Years later, Isla told Celeste the truth about her powerlessness. Celeste chose not to betray Isla and promised that they would survive the Centennial together. This history explains why Isla risks visiting Celeste’s room after midnight: Isla fears she has damaged their secret plan by drawing attention during the first demonstration.

Celeste confronts Isla for beating Grim and nearly beating Oro because the plan depends on both young rulers appearing harmless and inexperienced. If the demonstration winner pairs them together, they can work openly while searching for the bondbreaker. Celeste becomes emotional because Isla’s recklessness makes it harder for Celeste to protect her, and Isla apologizes and promises to listen.

Celeste then reports that the bondbreaker is not in the Star Isle library. The next stage of the plan is to obtain enchanted gloves capable of carrying a small amount of realm power, which would help them access protected library sections on other isles. Isla is disturbed because such gloves are said to be made from human skin, but Celeste insists acquiring them is her part of the plan.

Isla shares that she failed to secure Sunling clothing, and Celeste says Sunling has become increasingly isolated since the last Centennial. Celeste also reveals that Moonling guards now monitor the Moon Isle bridge constantly. This threatens Isla’s role of searching the other libraries without arousing Cleo’s suspicion, but Isla vows to find a way despite fearing she may be making promises she cannot keep.