Jude arrives at Hollow Hall with Cardan, entering openly through the front doors instead of sneaking in as a servant. Cardan plays the part of a restored prince, dressed in regal clothes Jude helped arrange, while Jude carries weapons, Liriope’s golden acorn, and her fear that the plan could collapse. Inside, the great powers of Faerie have gathered, including Balekin, Madoc, Oriana, Oak, Nicasia, Queen Orlagh, and Lord Roiben; the Blood Crown is visible above the room, making the next objective both clear and dangerous.

Balekin approaches Cardan, trying to draw him toward the coronation he wants, while Madoc quickly understands that Jude has brought Cardan into the struggle for the throne. Jude offers Madoc and herself glasses of wine, secretly poisoning both because she cannot know which he will choose. Cardan delays Balekin by insisting he will name his terms after dinner, which keeps him publicly free and buys Jude time.

As Cardan and Jude move through the party, Nicasia confronts Cardan with anxiety disguised as poise. Cardan jokes that Jude made him her prisoner, then warns Nicasia to stay away from him that night for her own safety, revealing unexpected tenderness. Jude notices Taryn watching her with Locke nearby, then reminds Cardan not to go anywhere alone before leaving him to speak with Oriana and Oak.

Jude tells Oriana that bringing Cardan is what Oriana asked for, though there will be a cost none of them yet knows. Jude looks at Oak and worries that her pursuit of power may make him monstrous, while telling herself Vivi’s role will be to keep him human and hers will be to secure his eventual return. Jude then slips into the hallway to unlatch a window for the Roach and the Ghost, but Madoc follows before they arrive.

Madoc sends the guards away and demands that Jude bring Cardan out so they can negotiate. Jude draws Madoc away from the window and openly confronts him about his plan to rule through Oak. When Jude demands that Madoc swear never to harm Oak and to relinquish power when Oak comes of age, Madoc cannot promise, revealing that Oak is partly a means to Madoc’s own power.

Jude and Madoc duel, and Madoc fights her at full strength, quickly proving he is far stronger. Jude survives by stalling, using techniques he taught her and a move learned from the Ghost, and lands a shallow cut before Madoc knocks her down and bloody. When Madoc urges Jude to surrender, Jude reveals she poisoned the wine; because Jude has built tolerance to poison, Madoc weakens while Jude remains standing. Madoc collapses, and when the Roach and the Ghost enter through the window, the Ghost announces that it is time for phase three: getting the crown.