When Minister of Justice Corvus Blackwood accuses Minister of War Garrison Vane of treason, Lord Thorne massacres The Vane Estate. Garrison's children, Arthur and Elara Vane, narrowly escape to the streets. Elara Vane vows revenge, memorizing the flower-shaped birthmark on Thorne's chest. During a palace showdown between Thorne, Elara Vane, and Alden, Thorne tries to use their past romance to survive. Unmoved, Elara Vane decisively strikes him down with her sword, fulfilling her revenge.