The scene opens in the Duchess's bridal chamber, where the handsome slave is helping the Duchess change her clothes. He tells her that the fifth prince has gone to the empress's house to plead with her to break off their marriage. He is furious that the prince has left so soon after he had planned to use him as a decoy to trick the Duchess into believing that he is her toy boy. He plans to use the prince's absence as an excuse to trick his wife into falling in love with him.