Kai enters Kitt’s study and finds the new king exhausted, unwashed, and buried in papers days after the coronation. Kai tries to speak to Kitt as a brother, urging him to sleep, leave the study, visit the gardens, or see the queen, whose condition is worsening. Kitt refuses every suggestion, and Kai is struck by how grief has changed him into someone harsher and less familiar.

As Kai tries to leave, Kitt notices the blood on his shirt and asks whether it belongs to Paedyn. Kai admits it does not. He explains that Paedyn was at her old house, that he forced her out and burned the house down, and that the blood belongs to the Imperial Paedyn stabbed and killed near Loot. Kai then gives his assessment that Paedyn is likely heading into the Scorches in an attempt to reach Dor or Tando, and he says he will prepare men and desert horses to pursue her.

Kitt does not simply accept the report. Instead, he presses Kai on whether Kai will truly bring Paedyn back. His doubt comes from Kai’s past habit of softening or disobeying the late king’s orders, especially when Kai spared Ordinary children from execution by arranging banishment instead. Kai defends those choices as a rare exception, but Kitt argues that Kai’s record proves he may again put compassion above command.

The real source of Kitt’s suspicion soon becomes clear: Kai’s feelings for Paedyn. Kitt openly says that affection for her would be the strongest reason for Kai to disobey, and the accusation lands because both brothers know it is true. Kai briefly wonders whether Kitt somehow knows Kai already let Paedyn go once, but Kitt gives no proof of that. When Kai carefully acknowledges that Paedyn is difficult for Kitt too, Kitt claims whatever he felt for her died when she killed their father, and Kai echoes the same claim about his own feelings, though neither statement is convincing.

To end the confrontation, Kai promises that his loyalty belongs to Kitt and reminds him that Paedyn killed Kai’s father as well. Kitt finally gives the decisive command: Kai must bring Paedyn back alive, and his tone suggests survival may not mean mercy. In response, Kai removes the Enforcer ring and sets it on Kitt’s desk, telling his brother to return it only after Kai has earned his trust again.