At dinner, Paedyn reflects that surviving the Trials requires more than physical strength. She must keep lying convincingly, win the crowd, and make people believe she wants to be there. The contestants are increasingly tense, shown by a recent fight between Ace and Braxton, and Paedyn feels that strain while watching both Kitt and Kai across the table.

Kai notices Paedyn nervously spinning her ring and gripping a steak knife, and his teasing draws a softer, more searching exchange between them. Paedyn studies him with conflicted fascination, remembering both his skill in battle and the danger of forgetting that he was raised to kill. When dinner ends, the queen reminds the contestants that the first ball is only days away and tells the women to prepare gowns and practice dancing, turning the coming event into another public test.

As Paedyn leaves, Kitt asks to walk her to her room. Their conversation becomes unexpectedly sincere when Kitt says Paedyn's blunt interview answer about wanting to survive was the most real thing said that day. At Paedyn's door, Kitt asks her to be his partner to the balls. Paedyn understands that accepting would help her public image and tie her to the future king, even if being close to the son of her father's killer is deeply unpleasant, so she agrees to "play the part."

Later, Paedyn asks Ellie for help choosing a gown, only to learn that none of her dresses are suitable for a ball and that a proper gown must be made. Ellie explains that if Paedyn knows a seamstress in Loot, the woman could be brought to the palace and hired as Paedyn's personal seamstress for the duration of the Trials. This possibility makes Paedyn think immediately of Adena.

Paedyn is overcome with guilt for not visiting Adena sooner and remembers the night she first told Adena the truth about being an Ordinary. That memory reminds Paedyn how much Adena has risked for her and how selfish Paedyn has been. Yet Ellie's plan also offers hope: Adena could live in the palace, be fed, be paid, and stay safe with Paedyn. After Ellie promises to speak to Lenny about arranging the trip, Paedyn lies in bed relieved and hopeful until a light knock at the door interrupts her thoughts.