Hoping to learn more about Hakuu's plans, Umeko goes to the Artist's estate to be fitted for her wedding robes. Hakuu's method for taking her measurements is to create a full-body plaster cast, which is both awkward and a bit embarrassing for Umeko.

She talks to Hakuu while he wraps her in plaster and gauze, and learns a bit about what he expects from a wife. While it doesn't sound particularly pleasant, there is little about it that falls outside the traditional role of a nobleman's wife.

While the mold dries, Umeko is blind and can barely hear, but she does notice when someone enters the room and speaks in an accent to Hakuu – probably the Cervani Lilac told her about. The two men leave before she can learn anything, however.

Eventually she is cut free of the mold and sent to a basking porch to warm back up and have the dust brushed from her scales. Umeko chats with the handmaid who attends her, and who has had half of her jaw replaced by a ceramic prosthetic after an accident, which was made by Hakuu.

Returning to a tearoom in the mansion, Umeko has a view of the gardens when a commotion breaks out – someone has stolen whatever Hakuu and the Cervani were looking at in the Gazebo.

Acting quickly, Umeko intercepts the thief – a black Lapi named Gibson – and smuggles him out of the compound.