Kai observes Paedyn at the celebration ball, noting she has kicked off her heels and kept a shawl wrapped over her shoulders to hide Aidos’s dagger. He stops her from drinking yet another glass, bantering and flirting despite their agreement to keep their distance. The prospect of always sharing Paedyn in shadow under her engagement to Kitt sobers Kai, and he takes up drinking with her to dull the ache.

Paedyn boldly presses Kai to test his self-control, and they trade intimate barbs, but Kai insists someone must look after her. When he teases her to ask him properly for a dance, Paedyn instead calls Jax and pulls the younger brother onto the floor, leaving Kai holding her glass and shoes. Kai watches, amused, as Paedyn and Jax abandon formal steps and laugh through the dance.

Kitt joins Kai by a pillar, and the brothers reminisce about simpler balls. The conversation turns somber when Kai references the abuse he suffered from their father; Kitt apologizes, and Kai urges him to be better. They reaffirm their loyalty to each other, sharing a sincere, healing moment.

As they continue to watch the floor, Kai warns that court may gossip about Paedyn’s multiple dances with Jax; Kitt pointedly replies that another brother is the true concern, indirectly acknowledging Kai’s feelings for Paedyn. He quickly shifts topics to note Andromeda enjoying herself and to the risk of inviting Blair, whom Paedyn nearly attacked earlier. Kitt says he must acclimate Paedyn and Blair and cannot have his future queen attacking people in the castle.

Kai bristles at Kitt’s deliberate use of “my queen” but keeps his composure. He counters that Paedyn will always find a way to survive or kill, and that few can outlast her wrath. The brothers reaffirm their bond once more, with Kai insisting he would know Kitt in every life, and Kitt echoing the sentiment.

The scene ends with Kitt noticing the shoes Kai is still carrying and calling attention to Paedyn’s approach. Paedyn, flushed and smiling, strides toward them, and Kai is struck again by his devotion to her as he waits, still holding her shoes.