The next morning, Sophia wonders what happened at the banquet. She realizes that Prince Alex is angry with Prince Cecil, the regent, for killing the king's father. The two princes have been feuding ever since. When she asks about mina, she is told that she is a good benefactor, but that she must keep her mouth shut. She wonders if there is a chessboard in the room, and wonders if the white pieces are on an offensive, and if the black pieces are retreating. She tells him that he should not allow his opponent to win because he is giving up on what he knows about her, her highness, and her father. He tells her that he knows they have had their disagreements, but his father has no part in them. He wonders if she is deceiving him so that she will be able to avenge her father's death. When he returns, he finds the chessboard empty.