Mire’s dark marital chamber after midnight, lit by a single hard-edged candle. The hidden diary lies open on the bed.

The marital wing corridor before dawn, cold and nearly empty, with distant servants beginning work.

Entrance to the west archive, an older wing of the Tessen estate with unused shelves and cold stone.

Inside the west archive: narrow shelves, dust, missing ledgers, and harsh lamp shadows.

Mire searches the shelves for evidence of the original Sera’s death.

A far corner of the archive where a small framed portrait has been turned to face the wall.

Althene interrupts Mire in the archive with a lamp, catching her at the portrait.

Mire tries to recover her lie while Althene shows she already knows too much.

Althene leads Mire from the archive into a small adjoining library with a prepared tea tray.

Althene lists the evidence that Mire is not the real Sera.

Mire stops pretending and tries to understand whether Althene means to expose her.

Althene reveals the original Sera’s portrait and states the first death plainly.

Althene explains why Iulia was brought in and how the household accepted the substitution.

Althene raises the possibility that Domnal’s affection was for the public role of Sera, not the private woman Iulia.

Althene produces an old condolence register and asks Mire to sign Sera’s name.

Mire signs the public Sera signature with trained perfection.

Althene reveals Iulia’s original handwriting beneath the public Sera signature.

Mire demands Althene’s motive, but Domnal approaches before Althene can answer fully.

Domnal enters the library unexpectedly. Althene covers for Mire with a memorial-preparation lie.

Domnal asks Mire which lectern she prefers for the memorial reading.

Domnal accepts the wrong answer without revealing whether he knows. Althene realizes Mire has failed the custom.

After Domnal leaves, Althene tells Mire the family custom she failed.

Althene offers Mire a deal: survive the memorial, and she will help Alaric escape Tessen custody.

Mire questions Althene’s motive. Althene frames the alliance as practical, dangerous, and possibly sincere.