Near midnight, Kai comes to Paedyn’s room and offers to give her dance lessons before the upcoming ball with Kitt. Paedyn resists because she does not want to need Kai’s help, especially after their earlier fight, but Kai presses the practical point that she will be heavily watched beside the future king. Paedyn reluctantly agrees and follows him through an unused upper floor of the palace.

Kai brings Paedyn to his private bedroom, and Paedyn studies the space for clues about him. The room feels lived in, with books on strategy, combat, and poetry, ink-stained furniture, armor, and sword cuts carved into the bedposts. When Paedyn asks why Kai is helping her, Kai says he is doing it for Kitt’s sake, showing how deeply loyal and protective he is toward his brother.

Kai starts the lesson by teaching Paedyn the basic steps of a waltz. Paedyn is tense, guarded, and more comfortable fighting than moving gracefully, so Kai first keeps his distance while correcting her posture and rhythm. When the lesson shifts to partnered dancing, Kai takes her hand and places his other hand at her back, forcing Paedyn to confront both her inexperience and the intimacy of the dance.

As they continue, Paedyn struggles to relax, and Kai teases her about being more afraid of closeness than footwork. Their banter stays sharp, but the lesson also exposes a strong attraction and an uneasy trust between them. Paedyn bargains for one more dance in exchange for an answer to a question, then impulsively asks whether Kai wishes he were the heir to Ilya. Kai answers with a simple no, revealing that he does not want Kitt’s future role.

The next morning, Lenny escorts Paedyn back to Loot to collect her new seamstress. Paedyn reunites emotionally with Adena, who is thrilled to learn that she will live at the palace, be paid, and work in a fully supplied sewing room. During the ride back, Paedyn feels guilty for everything she has not told Adena and silently vows not to keep such distance again.

Adena excitedly questions Paedyn about palace life and the coming ball. When Paedyn admits that Kitt asked her to attend with him, Adena reacts with delight and immediately starts planning Paedyn’s gown. The chapter ends with Adena eager to dress Paedyn for the event and Paedyn already imagining a specific color she wants to wear.