The lady’s maid questions if they are truly leaving. The lady clarifies her departure is a strategic first move, not retreat, revealing her room and inheritance have been given to a replacement who is now celebrated at a banquet in her own home. She identifies Edric and Vivienne as the ones who profited from her wealth, funding their lifestyle and a border war. She decides to reclaim her power by returning to the Borderlands ahead of them. When informed the banquet has started without her on Edric’s orders, she declares it the final courtesy she will ever show this court, vowing to dismantle their foundation.