The Swirling Smoke of Rumors in the Castle.The other Chief Officers are not sure whether to believe Grossular's suspicions about Jean. Jean has dinner with Mauve who asks his help in finding out any information about the rumored coup d'état on his regional visits. She is concerned that the Coming of Age Commemorative Ceremony on Dowa of king’s grandson Prince Schwann, and the only male heir and an 'idiot', will be an opportunity for powerful figures in outlying regions to take action...