Avaline, the lord's returned heir, is immediately accused by a woman of attempting to kill her daughter Ophelia. The lord angrily defends Avaline, declaring her the legitimate heir and accusing the woman of scheming to usurp her rightful status. He strips Ophelia of her noble privileges and banishes her to the servants' quarters, decisively shifting power within the household. Avaline leaves with her wolf, her position secured but the household now openly divided.