Meryn returns to the castle to find the Strategos common area abuzz with preparations for the Forging Ball. Izabel and Venna present her with a borrowed silver-and-black dress, but when Meryn enters her room, she discovers a stunning emerald silk gown decorated with actual jewels, along with matching gloves and heels. Though there is no note, Meryn knows the dress is from Killian—a gift that publicly lays claim to her as someone important. She sets aside the twins' dress and puts on Killian's gown, which fits perfectly, and pairs it with her mother's opal necklace.

When Meryn emerges, the other Rawbonds react with awe. Izabel, Venna, Tomison, and Nevah compliment her transformation, and the twins help with her hair and makeup. The Rawbond packs then process through the royal wing to the grand central ballroom, where nobles from across Nocturna's seven fiefdoms have gathered. Meryn observes the sharp contrast between the nobles' extravagant but modest clothing and the Bonded's revealing outfits, feeling disgust at the way Rawbonds are put on display. She is particularly disturbed by Audelie, the king's companion, who wears a fully translucent dress and is treated as an object by King Cyril.

After the king's brief opening speech, Meryn searches the crowd for Killian but is intercepted by a leering noble couple who grope and appraise her like cattle. Before Meryn can act, a hand on her back rescues her—but it belongs not to Killian, but to Stark. He is furious and commands her to dance with him, pulling her onto the floor before she can refuse. They move together with surprising ease, and Stark comments pointedly on her opal necklace, warning her to research its history before displaying it publicly.

Killian interrupts the dance, his calm masking visible rage at Stark's possessive hold on Meryn. When Stark declares "the lady is spoken for," Meryn snaps. Abandoning all pretense of genteel behavior, she pushes Stark away and declares loudly to the entire ballroom that she belongs to Crown Prince Killian—and to him alone. Killian wraps an arm around her as the room falls silent, their relationship now publicly revealed.