Isla tells Celeste that the secret Sunling archive did not contain the bondbreaker. Celeste reacts with determination rather than despair, arguing that another library must exist and that the Centennial is only halfway over.

Isla rejects that hope because the ball and the fiftieth day are approaching. Isla raises her voice at Celeste, admitting that Cleo intends to kill Isla after the ball and that other rulers may also want Isla dead. Although Celeste reminds Isla that Celeste protected her from the nobles before, Isla knows Celeste cannot protect Isla from every threat.

Because the bondbreaker search has failed and Isla needs protection, Isla decides they need another plan. Isla goes to the Mainland castle to find Oro, hoping he has not already found the heart without her and that he might restore their broken bargain.

Isla finds Oro watching the moon through a crescent window. Their conversation is tense and restrained: Isla thanks Oro for granting access to the Sunling library, and Oro reminds Isla that she claimed not to need his permission. When Oro asks whether Isla found what she sought, Isla says no.

Isla then asks whether Oro found what he was looking for. Oro says no, which relieves Isla because it means Oro still needs help. Isla turns the conversation toward the future and asks him, "What’s next?"