Prologue: Kai — Summary, Analysis & Study Notes
⚠️ 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
The prologue opens with Kai walking through the castle halls in the early morning, enjoying a rare moment of solitude. He reflects on his identity—once a prince, now an Enforcer, and before that, a boy who became a monster. He notes that today he is no one, simply someone who gets to be with who should have been.
Kai makes his way to the kitchen, where he finds Gail, the woman who all but raised him, baking a sticky bun—a tradition she upholds every year on this day. They exchange light banter about his sleeplessness, and Gail expresses concern for him. Kai mentions he just came from Kitt's study, where his brother—now king—informed him of his first mission as Enforcer. The mission involves a woman, and Gail immediately understands it's her. Kai confirms he will complete the mission because it's his duty.
Gail asks if Kitt remembered the significance of the day. Kai replies that it's not Kitt's job to remember. Gail reveals she only made one sticky bun this year, assuming Kitt wouldn't join. She gives the bun to Kai, who thanks her and kisses her cheek. As he leaves, Gail tells him to go spend time with her, and adds that they all loved her. Kai acknowledges that she knew.
Kai carries the sticky bun through the gardens, passing guards and statues, and eventually reaches a willow tree beyond the lawn. He sits beneath it, places the bun on a root, and pulls out a matchbox. He apologizes to the tree for not having a candle, strikes a match, and pushes it into the sticky bun as a makeshift candle. He watches the flame flicker, then looks down beside him and says, “Happy birthday, A.” He blows out the match, letting darkness swallow them both.
Key Events
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Kai walks through the empty castle halls, savoring solitude.
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He visits Gail in the kitchen, where she is baking a sticky bun for the annual ritual.
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Kai reveals that Kitt has given him his first Enforcer mission, which involves a woman.
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Gail asks if Kitt remembered the day; Kai says it's not Kitt's job to remember.
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Gail gives Kai the sticky bun and encourages him to go spend time with her.
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Kai travels through the gardens to a willow tree, carrying the bun.
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He lights a match as a substitute candle, places it in the bun, and wishes a happy birthday to someone he calls A.
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He blows out the flame, ending the ritual.
Character Development
Kai is the central figure, and this prologue reveals his internal conflict. He is a prince turned Enforcer, a transformation he describes as becoming a monster. He struggles with his duty—completing the mission Kitt assigned—and his personal grief, which he honors through this secret ritual. His interaction with Gail shows a softer side, a man who craves normalcy and warmth. He is also deeply loyal to his brother, even when Kitt fails to remember important dates. Kai's identity is shaped by loss; he refers to himself as “no one” on this day, setting aside his titles to simply be with the memory of A.
Gail serves as a mother figure, filling the void left by the queen. She is nurturing, scolding, and affectionate. She remembers the day and prepares the sticky bun without being asked. Her concern for Kai is genuine, and she provides the emotional support he lacks from his family. She also acknowledges the collective grief, saying “we all loved her,” which suggests A was someone important to many.
Kitt is mentioned but not present. He is now king, consumed by his duties, and has forgotten the significance of the day. Kai excuses this, indicating a strained but understanding relationship. Kitt's role as the one assigning the mission creates tension between Kai's duty and his personal feelings.
A is never seen, but her presence looms large. She is the recipient of the ritual, someone Kai loved and lost. The willow tree, the sticky bun, and the match all serve as memorials to her.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief and Loss – The entire prologue is a ritual of remembrance. Kai's annual visit to the willow tree, the sticky bun, and the makeshift candle are all acts of mourning. The fact that he does this alone, without Kitt, underscores the personal nature of his grief.
Duty vs. Personal Desire – Kai is torn between his obligation as an Enforcer and his desire to honor A. He says he will complete the mission “of course” because it's his duty, but his actions show where his heart lies. The mission involving a woman—likely connected to A—adds a layer of conflict.
Memory and Forgetting – Kitt forgets the day, while Gail remembers. Kai says it's not Kitt's job to remember, suggesting that memory is a personal burden. The ritual itself is an act of remembering, keeping A alive in Kai's mind.
Solitude – Kai treasures the empty halls and the quiet morning. Solitude is rare for a royal, and he steals this time for himself. It's a contrast to his public role as Enforcer.
Light and Darkness – The match flame provides a brief light in the darkness, symbolizing hope or memory. Kai blows it out, letting darkness return, perhaps representing the inevitability of loss.
Willow Tree Symbolism – The willow tree is a traditional symbol of mourning and grief. Kai describes it as beautiful and strong, and he visits it often. It serves as a physical anchor for his memories.
Mother Figure Substitute – Gail fills the role of the queen, who is absent. She provides warmth and affection, and Kai acknowledges her importance, saying he fears where the Azer brothers would be without her.
Sibling Conflict – Though not overt, there is tension between Kai and Kitt. Kitt is busy with his coronation and duties, while Kai carries the emotional weight of their shared past. Kai's comment about Kitt not remembering hints at a rift.
Identity Transformation – Kai reflects on his change from prince to Enforcer, from boy to monster. This prologue establishes his internal struggle with who he has become.
Why This Chapter Matters
This prologue sets the tone for the entire novel. It introduces Kai as a complex protagonist burdened by duty and grief. The mission he receives from Kitt—to deal with a woman—creates immediate stakes and foreshadows the central conflict. The mystery of A and the ritual establish an emotional core that will likely drive Kai's decisions. The chapter also establishes key relationships: Kai's bond with Gail, his strained connection with Kitt, and his unresolved feelings for A. By grounding the story in a personal ritual, the author makes the fantasy world feel intimate and human. This opening chapter invites readers to care about Kai's internal journey before the external plot unfolds.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Kai say “it's not Kitt's job to remember” when Gail asks if Kitt remembered the day?
Kai's response reveals his understanding of Kitt's role as king. Kitt is consumed by his duties and has moved on from the past, while Kai feels it is his personal responsibility to remember A. This also hints at a division between the brothers—Kitt has embraced his royal identity, while Kai remains tied to their shared history.
2. What does the willow tree and the sticky bun ritual symbolize for Kai?
The willow tree is a traditional symbol of mourning, and Kai visits it often, especially on this day. The sticky bun is a tangible connection to simpler times and to Gail's care. Together, they create a sacred space where Kai can honor A's memory. The match, used as a substitute candle, shows his resourcefulness and his determination to keep the ritual alive even when he lacks proper materials.
3. How does the prologue establish Kai's internal conflict between duty and personal desire?
Kai is given a mission by Kitt that involves a woman, and he immediately thinks of A. He tells Gail he will complete the mission because it's his duty, but his actions—spending the morning at the willow tree—show where his true priorities lie. The conflict is further emphasized by his reflection on being a prince turned Enforcer, a role that demands he suppress his personal feelings. This tension sets up the central dilemma he will face throughout the story.