Raihn stands before the assembled Rishan nobility in Vincent's former throne room, acutely aware that the last time he was in this room with these people, he had been a slave. Despite his crown and Heir Mark, the nobles view him with skepticism and disgust, seeing only a Turned former slave. Raihn carefully performs the role of a commanding king, modeling his bearing and speech after his former master Neculai, declaring that Nyaxia has restored the Rishan to rule and that he will make the House of Night feared again. He lets his magic display the red feathers in his wings, reminding them of his divine right, but the crowd responds with cold silence rather than reverence.

Raihn notices Martas, a noble he recognizes from his years of enslavement—a cousin of the former king Neculai. Martas's brother Simon, the most powerful remaining Rishan noble, has deliberately refused the king's summons. When Raihn commands Martas to bow and swear fealty on Simon's behalf, Martas refuses outright, declaring Raihn no rightful king and denouncing him for standing alongside a Bloodborn prince. Martas then turns his venom toward Oraya, calling her "Vincent's whore" and making vile, degrading remarks about why Raihn keeps her alive and unharmed.

Raihn's calculated composure snaps. He descends the dais, places his hands on Martas's face, and unleashes his full Asteris magic—a devastating stellar power restored when Nyaxia renewed the Rishan heir line. The magic tears through Martas's body, killing him instantly. Raihn holds Martas's severed head before the stunned crowd and declares that he doesn't need their respect, only their fear. When he glances back at Oraya, he sees bloodthirsty satisfaction in her eyes for the first time in weeks, which deeply moves him.

The situation remains perilous: the nobles stare in silence, and Raihn knows that if they collectively refuse to bow, his authority will crumble. At that critical moment, Vale—Raihn's Head of War—bursts through the doors and immediately kneels in the pool of Martas's blood, loudly swearing his sword, blood, and life to Raihn. Vale's respected status among the nobility tips the balance, and slowly the other nobles follow, lowering into bows. Raihn accepts their submission outwardly, but internally feels deep discomfort at wearing the same cursed crown that drove his predecessors to cruelty and paranoia. He glances once more at Oraya, who meets his gaze with piercing understanding, seeing through his performance to the honest turmoil beneath.