In Kitt’s study, Kai tells Kitt that Edric was not his father and that Queen Myla had a powerful child before marrying Edric, making Paedyn Kitt’s blood and not Kai. Kitt insists Kai is still his brother and declares that his love and need for Kai supersede all else. When Paedyn asks why Kitt married her instead of killing her, Kitt says his plans for Ilya require her, then pivots to recruit Kai into a vision of empire far beyond Ilya.

Kitt reveals he has outgrown Edric’s obsession with Ordinaries and intends to surpass him by ruling every realm. He explains that uniting Ilya and opening borders was a deliberate step to “liberate” other kingdoms. Pressed by Paedyn and Kai, Kitt discloses he plans to ship resources laced with the Plague. He recounts a hidden history: a century ago, under King Favian Azer, Scholars created a substance meant to strengthen troops that instead became the Plague; the truth was concealed, with survival framed as divine selection. According to Kitt, the Plague diluted over generations, weakening Elite prevalence, and Scholars have now perfected a new dose.

Paedyn reels as Kitt’s revelations connect to Edric’s earlier admissions and her father Adam Gray’s death, realizing Adam was killed for uncovering the Plague’s origin and flaws. Kitt admits his Scholar meetings sought to recreate the Plague and that he intends to seed it across the world to preserve and expand Elite power. He frames Kai’s role as necessary “strength,” dismissing the deaths as acceptable.

When Kai and Paedyn reject the plan, Kitt turns on Paedyn, confessing he used the Trials both to distract Kai and to try to kill Paedyn, and that he would have let the new Plague finish her. He also admits maneuvering with Calum after Edric’s death, agreeing to marry Paedyn to draw out remaining Ordinaries, then discarding Calum as a liability once he found letters about his own potential bastardy. Kitt fears Paedyn’s lineage could rally the slums against him.

Kitt’s instability worsens, dark veins visible and coughing blood, as he accuses Paedyn of taking Kai from him. He reveals the plan has already begun: the Trial roses were laced, and Izram will be the first infected. Brandishing a ceremonial sword, he advances to kill Paedyn, insisting removing her will restore his bond with Kai.

Kai steps between them, refusing to let Kitt harm Paedyn. A duel ensues, with Kai fighting defensively using a fire stoker, clearly trying to subdue rather than harm Kitt. Their exchange resembles long-practiced sparring, momentarily softening into shared muscle memory and a small smile as they move in sync.

The rhythm abruptly breaks. In a misstep, Kai’s stoker drives into Kitt’s chest. Shocked, Kai cries that Kitt was supposed to dodge. Kitt, dazed, looks at the wound, presses a bloody hand to his desk papers, and whispers that he “forgot” before collapsing. Kai catches him as he falls, and the chapter ends with the king dying and blood spattering the documents that held his plans.