The night of the ball arrives. Alessandra is pleased both with her dress and the decorations, all floral-themed. Kallias enters unobtrusively, dressed to match Alessandra. She is announced, and they watch each other from across the ballroom. She no longer questions his attraction to her but feels protecting him is more important.

Sergio arrives though he wasn’t invited. He wants to marry Alessandra off to cover up the spreading news that she murdered Hektor. He wants to match her with Rhouben. Alessandra is annoyed that her father aims for a lower-ranked husband for her than he did for Chrysantha. She tells him Kallias plans to propose and has him removed from the party. She sees Leandros and is pleased that he wears a black rose in honor of Kallias’s mother. Rhoda is escorted by Galen, who is dressed like a nobleman but seems uncomfortable. Hestia advises both her friends to push past the fear of heartbreak because love is worth it. They muse that men’s intentions are opaque.

Lady Zervas arrives at the party, but she isn’t dressed according to the theme. She says Alessandra will make a good queen and just wanted to warn her when they last talked. Alessandra says it’s too late to protect her heart.