After an exhausting night, Lilac sleeps soundly in Lady Umeko's room, and doesn't even mind sharing the bed with a Kiriga. On waking, she discovers something around her neck: an iron collar with a lock. A servant explains that the collar makes Lilac part of the household, and is a great honor. Lilac thinks it must be a joke, and that Umeko did it to make her feel like a pet.

Playing along, Lilac is taking to meet with Umeko at the family shrine, where the Kiriga is meditating. The two talk, and Umeko lets Lilac know she intends to find out just what Master Hakuu is up to and how it impacts her family and country.

Lilac is impressed enough by Umeko's courage that she declines the key to her collar, deciding to keep wearing it as a sign of respect.