The scene opens with a flashback to the previous night, when Roxane was found dead in her room with a silver dagger in her hand. The dagger was stolen from Roxane's room by her maid, who had seen the dagger being carried by a woman in front of her room. Roxane is furious that the dagger has been stolen from her, and she demands to know why the dagger was not found in the room where she was found. She tells Roxane that she saw the dagger on her bed that evening, and that she hid it under her bed because she was afraid that it would show up suddenly. She asks Roxane if he believes that she will not betray him, and he responds that he does. He then asks if she likes the mark on her finger, and Roxane responds that she does. She then asks him if he wants to declare his sovereignty by licking the mark first, and then sucking it hard.