A public announcement reveals that Prince Soren Nord and Rune Winters are engaged and that Soren has openly backed Queen Cressida’s claim to the Roseblood throne. For Gideon, the notice confirms that Rune and Soren are in Caelis and raises the stakes of stopping Rune before the marriage further strengthens Cressida’s position.

Using what Gideon knows about both of them, Gideon predicts that Soren will parade Rune through the capital’s fashionable shopping district. He waits near a tailor shop and soon spots the couple entering a bridal store. When Soren leaves with one bodyguard and only a single guard remains outside, Gideon decides the reduced protection gives him his best chance to kill Rune.

Gideon disguises himself with a fedora and walks into the shop, planning to reach Rune in private and escape through a back exit. Inside, the shop matron blocks him, assumes he is a thief, and threatens to call the guard. Gideon cannot force his way past her without exposing himself, so he pretends to leave when a group of wealthy young women enters and distracts her.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Gideon doubles back toward the fitting rooms, determined not to hesitate this time. He pulls aside the curtain of the only occupied stall, expecting to catch Rune vulnerable in a wedding dress. Instead, Rune is waiting inside in white lace, already holding a gun aimed directly at Gideon’s forehead, turning his planned assassination into a direct standoff.