This chapter opens with a discussion of the upcoming election of a new king. The king's younger brother, Caius, is supported by the conservative faction of the royal court and by the lords of the commons. The younger Caius's sister, Julg, is also popular with the commoners, but she is not mentioned in the conversation. Julg says that although he does resemble his sister, he is thoroughly debauchered by the absence of her name. He wants to share some things with the new king, and he asks the king to challenge the dwarf, kouichi, to a "bridal quiz" to see if he is worthy of the throne. The prince, legat, was badly injured in a hunting accident, and the man who found him was the one who took the chance to marry him.