By the king's order, a woman is confined to a poor and filthy abandoned palace, stripped of all valuables. She faces immediate harassment from a guard who threatens to slap her, but she retorts and forces him to flee, declaring he's lucky she didn't mark his face. Inside, her companion reports that a rival, Lady Leah, has colluded with servants to only provide them moldy, spoiled food, warning they will die. The woman assures her companion she has everything under control, but her first action is to marvel at the soft fabric of her own garments, highlighting her detachment from their desperate situation.