Chapter 37: Kitt — Summary, Analysis, and Key Moments

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Kitt finally emerges from his study—the self-imposed “dungeon” where he has been hiding—and walks through the sunlit hallways of the castle. He is acutely aware of how the Imperial guards and servants are watching him, and he tries to appear composed, running a hand through his hair and hoping he doesn’t look like the “mad king” they whisper about. He carries a small box in his pocket, not entirely sure why, but the weight of it helps him feel in control of a situation that is slipping away.

He follows the smell of dinner toward the kitchen, but hesitates at the doors. He has been avoiding Gail, the cook who raised him, and the thought of facing her makes his stomach knot. He turns to retreat, but Gail spots him and calls out. She pulls him into a flour-streaked hug, and he feels like the boy she once cared for. She has been making sticky buns every day, hoping he would visit, and she clears the kitchen so they can talk privately.

Gail asks how he is doing, and Kitt gives a vague “I’m better,” though he isn’t sure what “better” feels like anymore. She gently brings up his father’s death and the betrayal that followed, but Kitt deflects, mentioning Calum’s guidance and Kai’s efforts to repair their relationship. Gail then asks the question that has been haunting him: what does he plan to do with the woman once Kai brings her back? Kitt almost laughs, saying “If he brings her back.” Gail insists Kai will, because he loves Kitt. But Kitt voices his deepest fear: “And what if he loves her more?” Gail’s silence tells him she has wondered the same thing.

To change the subject, Kitt notices a thin cake candle on the counter. Gail explains she had found it for Kai, but it was too late—it was meant for Ava’s birthday. Kitt realizes with a jolt that he has forgotten Ava’s birthday and the tradition of visiting the willow tree with Kai. Overwhelmed by guilt and emotion, he backs away as servants return to the kitchen. He pushes through them, ignoring a shout that might be his name, and flees, letting them think he is mad.

Key Events

Kitt leaves his study for the first time in a while, feeling exposed and self-conscious.
He carries a mysterious box in his pocket, using its weight to convince himself he is in control.
He tries to avoid the kitchen but is caught by Gail, who hugs him and offers a sticky bun.
Gail clears the kitchen to speak with him privately and asks how he is really doing.
She asks what he plans to do with the woman Kai is bringing back; Kitt doubts Kai will return her.
Kitt admits his fear that Kai might love the woman more than he loves Kitt.
He spots a cake candle and learns it was meant for Ava’s birthday, which he has forgotten.
Overwhelmed by guilt and emotion, Kitt flees the kitchen, ignoring a shout behind him.

Character Development

This chapter is a deep dive into Kitt’s fragile emotional state. He is no longer the confident king; instead, he is a man hiding in his study, avoiding the world and the people who care about him. His self-imposed isolation shows his grief and guilt over his father’s death and the betrayal he experienced. The box in his pocket symbolizes his desperate need for control—he clings to a physical object because he cannot control his own feelings or the situation with Kai.

Kitt’s interaction with Gail reveals his vulnerability. He lets her treat him like a child, wiping his cheek and calling him “Kitty,” because it is comforting to pretend she is the mother he never had. This maternal comfort is something he craves, but it also forces him to confront painful truths. His fear that Kai might love someone else more than him exposes his deep insecurity and jealousy, which he has barely admitted to himself.

The realization that he forgot Ava’s birthday is a turning point. It shows how consumed he is by his own pain that he has neglected a tradition that matters deeply to Kai. His flight from the kitchen, ignoring the shout, underscores his avoidance of confrontation and his tendency to retreat when emotions become too heavy.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Isolation and self-imprisonment: Kitt calls his study a “dungeon,” and his reluctance to leave it mirrors his emotional imprisonment. He is trapped by his own grief and guilt.
Grief over loss: The chapter is steeped in loss—of his father, of trust, and of his former self. Kitt’s inability to eat or face others reflects his mourning.
Betrayal and its aftermath: Gail’s careful mention of the betrayal shows how it still haunts Kitt. He cannot even speak of it directly.
Fear of losing love: Kitt’s question about Kai loving someone else is the core of his anxiety. He is terrified that the bond he shares with Kai is not as strong as he hoped.
Maternal comfort and surrogate family: Gail serves as a mother figure, offering warmth and unconditional care. Her sticky buns are a symbol of nurturing and home.
Memory and forgetting: The forgotten birthday candle represents Kitt’s failure to honor the past and his loved ones. It highlights how his grief has made him neglectful.
Symbol of control: The box in Kitt’s pocket is a tangible anchor. He believes it helps him make the “right decision,” but it also weighs him down, suggesting that his need for control is burdensome.
Jealousy and insecurity: Kitt’s fear that Kai might love the woman more is rooted in his own self-doubt. Gail’s silence confirms that this fear is not unfounded, deepening his unease.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it exposes Kitt’s internal conflict and sets the stage for the emotional climax of the story. It humanizes Kitt, showing that his coldness and distance are born from pain, not malice. His relationship with Gail provides a rare moment of tenderness, contrasting with his usual guardedness. The revelation about Ava’s birthday adds a layer of guilt that will likely affect his interactions with Kai. Most importantly, Kitt’s fear that Kai might love someone else more than him foreshadows a potential rift in their relationship, raising the stakes for the rest of the novel.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does the box in Kitt’s pocket symbolize, and why does he carry it?

The box represents Kitt’s need for control. He carries it to convince himself that he is making the right decisions and that he is still in charge of his life. However, the box feels heavy and slows his steps, suggesting that this illusion of control is actually a burden. It reflects his inability to let go of the past or accept uncertainty.

2. How does Gail function as a surrogate mother for Kitt, and what does her reaction to his fear reveal?

Gail provides the maternal comfort Kitt never had, treating him with affection and calling him “Kitty.” She wipes his cheek and offers him sticky buns, creating a sense of safety. When Kitt asks if Kai might love someone else more, Gail’s silence and unblinking expression reveal that she has considered the same possibility. This confirms Kitt’s fear and shows that even those who love him cannot offer reassurance.

3. Why is Kitt’s forgetting Ava’s birthday significant, and how does it affect his actions?

Ava’s birthday is a tradition Kitt and Kai share, and forgetting it shows how consumed Kitt is by his own grief. The realization hits him with guilt and emotion, making him feel even more disconnected from Kai. It triggers his flight from the kitchen, as he cannot face the weight of his neglect. This moment highlights how his pain has caused him to neglect the people he cares about, deepening his isolation.