At a high-society gathering the Princess is handed a prized military manual while nobles gossip that her husband Gavin is unworthy compared to scholar Victor Drake. Their barbs escalate until someone defends Gavin, reminding them he guards the border and shaming their scorn. Old anecdotes surface, Gavin's care during a past night exposing loyalty beneath the insults. General James Vale then arrives with his brother and bluntly announces the Princess intends to remarry, demanding she sign divorce papers. The episode ends with the Princess publicly pressured to sign, forced to make an immediate choice that will change her standing.