The Fragile Threads of Power

In Red London, Tes walks around the market, bartering for parts and objects to repair. She overhears people gossiping about overthrowing the king because he lacks magic, but she does not alert the palace guard. While she has nothing against the king, she has been on her own for years and knows that she must put herself first. She sees a woman in the market who looks like her older sister, Serival, and briefly panics that her family has found her but is relieved to be mistaken.

Rhy dismisses his guards and casts off his crown to take a bath alone, feeling the burden of his kingship. He worries about the Hand and is determined not to cancel the solstice festival, called Sel Fera Noche. While Alucard worries the festival could be the perfect time for the Hand to attack, Rhy believes it is important to make a show of strength, especially since the Hand attributes the world’s failing magic to Rhy, who was born without magic.

These thoughts cause him to remember seven years ago when he first took the throne. Mourning the loss of his family and his brother’s new life with Lila, he got very drunk.