Emperor Salvador Corrino watches the new concubine Angelina perform in the Audience Chamber. Sister Dorotea recommended Angelina, and Salvador is pleased by her obedience and training, but his pleasure is overshadowed by political worries, distrust of Rossak-trained women, and anxiety over producing heirs after learning of Raquella's alleged plan to end his bloodline.

After Angelina leaves, Prince Roderick manages the day's audiences and Salvador calls in Dr. Waddiz, the new head of the Suk School, because Salvador has a frightening headache and no longer trusts his physicians after Dr. Zhoma's disgrace. Waddiz apologizes for Zhoma and proposes a new form of mental conditioning that would make a doctor incapable of harming a designated patient. Roderick questions the idea because it sounds like machine programming, but Waddiz insists it is psychological conditioning.

Salvador asks Dorotea to judge whether Waddiz is lying, and Dorotea says the proposal seems possible and truthful. With Roderick advising extra testing on Salusa Secundus, Salvador authorizes funding for the program and demands a conditioned physician as soon as possible. Dorotea then offers to stand near the throne and use her truth-sensing abilities in future audiences, but Roderick limits her influence by saying she will be summoned only when needed.

That evening at banquet, Salvador sees Roderick, Haditha, and their children behaving like a happy family, which intensifies Salvador's desire for an heir and domestic stability. When Salvador touches Empress Tabrina's hand, Tabrina rebuffs him and demands the title and duties of commerce minister. Salvador accuses Tabrina of blackmail, but Tabrina frames the demand as a fair exchange: if Salvador gives her meaningful authority, Tabrina will allow scheduled marital relations and will not prevent pregnancy.

Later, Dorotea secretly gives Angelina a vial of sterilizing cream to apply to Salvador during intimacy. Dorotea explains that one exposure should render Salvador sterile without his knowledge and without harming Angelina. Though Dorotea has broken with Raquella, Dorotea still believes the Sisterhood's breeding projections and acts to prevent a future tyrant from arising from Salvador's bloodline.