Sariphi is confronted with a new challenge to prove herself worthy of becoming Queen–to welcome the mysterious Duke Galoa on his visit to the palace. But the Duke is rumored to be a fearsome warrior with an ever-burning hatred of all things human. Sariphi devotes herself to learning every step of every dance and every detail of palace etiquette, but what will she do if Galoa refuses to so much as disguise his blatant loathing of humankind?