The scene opens with a description of the royal palace. It smells pretty. It's a place where the emperor and his ladies-in-waiting hang out. The emperor tells the ladies that he hopes they'll leave the kingdom one day. He also tells them that he's going to find out what's wrong with the princess's body, so he can figure out a way to get rid of her. He tells them to take it easy. He won't say anything to anyone about his plan to run away. He says he'll take the ladies with him to the market place to buy some food. He doesn't want to tell anyone that she's planning to run off with the emperor. But he does say that she can't leave the palace without a token. He promises to take her to her wedding, which is just around the corner.