Queen Teresa is accused of disgraceful behavior at a sacred ceremony. A nobleman named Audenberg condemns her actions as an insult to the gods and the royal house. During the ritual, when another woman, Leah, is called to stand in the Queen's place to receive a blessing, Teresa claims Leah pushed her. Leah counters, accusing the Queen of harboring resentment and lying at a sacred event. The King orders guards to take the Queen back to her palace and ground her. Later, Leah confronts Teresa, revealing her plot to kill the Queen and take the throne, claiming she has the King and Dowager Queen's favor and will frame Teresa's death as a suicide. She orders her accomplices to carry out the murder.