Euyn reels in Qali Palace, trying to make sense of the betrayals and insisting Mikail did not turn on anyone; Euyn believes the blame lies with Bay Chin and Aeri. Euyn also rejects King Joon’s claim that Aeri is Naerium, since Euyn thought Naerium died seven years ago and that Joon had no living children, leaving Euyn next in line.

Joon coolly explains that he once believed their brother Omin killed Naerium too, but Joon found Aeri alive at her mother’s funeral pyre within the past year. Euyn notes the age mismatch implied by Joon’s story and realizes Aeri likely hid her identity to avoid suspicion.

Thinking through Joon’s explanation, Euyn recalls rumors that Omin murdered young girls and was banished for disposing of a body in Idle Lake, and Euyn grimly accepts that the family’s darkness is real. Euyn’s bigger confusion remains Joon’s motive: why stage an attempt on his own life and what Joon meant about Aeri going to the hells with them.

Euyn challenges the elaborate scheme and asks why Joon did not simply raise a bounty and demand Euyn be captured alive. Joon replies that he never placed a bounty on Euyn at all; the Council of the Lords did.

Then Joon surprises Euyn by saying he does not want Euyn dead and instead wants to forgive Euyn’s crimes and reinstate Euyn as prince. Joon frames all five captives as guilty of high treason and subject to execution or Idle Prison, but claims he is willing to pardon and even reward them—on a single, undisclosed condition that leaves Euyn bracing for what Joon will demand.