Emily Wilde realizes that she is completely enclosed in faerie enchantment inside the palace. She is never left alone, because servants constantly press food, drink, and warm furs on her, though the palace itself keeps her from feeling cold. Knowing that faerie magic is muddling her mind, Emily tries to stay methodical by keeping hold of her coin and continuing to write in her journal.

Emily first tests the most obvious escape route by trying to walk through the gates. Instead of leaving, Emily abruptly finds herself back in her chamber, sitting in a newly appeared hot spring bath while two faerie women attend to her. Because Emily feels physically limp and has no clear sense of how long she has been there, the failed attempt proves that the palace can redirect her movements and erase or blur her memory of what happens in between.

Emily then tries another strategy and asks her servants to take her away from the palace into the mountains or the forest. The servants never openly refuse, but Emily cannot remember them carrying out her orders. Each attempt collapses into the same pattern: Emily suddenly finds herself in another bath or at breakfast with the king, where he cheerfully describes his efforts to improve the palace.

As the king pushes ahead with the wedding, a steady procession of faerie craftspeople comes to consult Emily about the ceremony. Two anxious chefs ask absurdly elaborate questions about magical food and drink, showing that the wedding preparations are advancing regardless of Emily's wishes. Emily tries to remain calm because panic would make her more vulnerable to faerie influence, but her patience finally breaks.

Emily snaps at one of the chefs, inventing an impossible beer order simply to lash out at the whole situation. The terrified faerie accepts the command and leaves in tears. Emily then refuses to cooperate with the dressmakers as well, driving them away before they can measure her, which shows that although Emily remains trapped, she is still resisting the role of willing bride.