In this chapter, we are told that the plot of the story is purely fictional, and that there is no intention to describe real events or characters in the setting. We are also told that this is the first time that we are introduced to Selia, who is the mother of Selia's son. Selia asks her son if he would like to spend some time alone with her, and he replies that he would rather spend time with his future wife, Clara. She asks him to sign a contract to give her family shares in exchange for a baby, but he refuses to sign the contract, saying that he does not want to spend his "rare second chance" behind bars.