Physician Durham inspects Jenny, revealing scars from whipping, cuts and burns and saying she’s clearly been tortured. Her mother, addressed as Her Highness, reunites with Jenny, apologizes for leaving her and vows anyone who hurt her will pay. Jenny suddenly collapses; Durham warns she’s been poisoned with Soulbane, a banned imperial drug that devastates body and heart. The court reacts in shock as accusations fly: the Peytons are blamed, but Durham points out Soulbane is imperial—raising two grim possibilities: Jastor tricked His Majesty, or the emperor ordered the poisoning. The truth remains unresolved.