The morning after leaving the Etse Kebeth, Lin sets out in a borrowed dress, ashamed that she lost control with Conor and convinced that he will scorn her for wanting him. Aron intercepts her at the gate and reminds her of their bargain: he translated her text, and she must let him accompany her on medical rounds before her coming test.

Lin reluctantly takes Aron through Castellane as she treats patients, including a new mother, an injured sailor, a seamstress, children, and Zofia. Aron proves more helpful and compassionate than Lin expected, and Zofia’s flirtation even makes him blush. By the end of the rounds, Lin realizes that the work and Aron’s presence have briefly kept her from thinking about Conor.

Back in the Sault, Aron praises Lin’s skill but warns that her false claim to be the Goddess will be judged harshly because she is Mayesh Bensimon’s granddaughter and often visits the Hill. Aron tells Lin that if she fails the test, the Sanhedrin will likely see the claim as a political gambit and exile her. He urges Lin to withdraw and accept a lesser punishment: six months confined to the Sault and barred from practicing medicine. Lin refuses to accept that because Mariam could die without her care, but Aron insists the test will be soon and that Lin must decide before it is too late.

The chapter shifts to Kel, hung over after the ball and still wounded by Antonetta’s behavior. He remembers Conor preparing to attend the unveiling of a warship named for Anjelica and wondering why his advantageous engagement has not made him happy. Kel meets Merren and Ji-An near the Caravel, where Merren gives him a powerful remedy, and the three prepare to extract information from Ciprian Cabrol, who believes he is meeting Conor.

Inside the Caravel, Alys leads Kel to Ciprian. Kel reveals that Conor supposedly sent him and pressures Ciprian with what he knows: the Malgasi have been using Charter Families, including the Cabrols, Alleynes, and Gremonts, in schemes against House Aurelian. Ciprian admits he wanted to destroy the Roverges and that Artal Gremont became the Malgasi contact after old Gremont balked and was killed, but Ciprian claims he does not know the two remaining conspirator families.

Kel asks Ciprian to learn the missing names by approaching Elsabet Belmany or other Malgasi contacts, but Ciprian fears Malgasi retaliation more than Castellane’s prisons. When Ciprian tries to leave, Merren and Ji-An intervene, revealing the Ragpicker King’s involvement. They offer Ciprian and his family protection in the Black Mansion if he helps. Ciprian agrees, then warns that Malgasi actions are driven not by greed but by a consuming hatred of the Aurelian line.