The Devils Chapter 60: Not Nothing – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
Chapter 60 opens with Alex angrily denouncing Duke Arcadius after he proposed marriage. Sunny, lying on the bed, tries to comfort her. Sunny reveals a secret passage hidden in the Empress’s chapel, leading to a small hidey‑hole. There, Alex admits she is not the real Princess Alexia Pyrogennetos. Her mother sold cheese; her father sold her to a thief named Gal the Purse. The real Alexia died of the Long Pox, and the imposter stole her coin, forged a birthmark, and took her name. Sunny, stunned, realizes the truth. Alex suggests they run away together, but Sunny points out that Alex now has a chance to do real good as Empress. Sunny leaves Alex in the passage and goes to Jakob’s room, finding him praying. She breaks down and tells Jakob she thinks Alex will marry Arcadius. Jakob holds her and speaks about the impermanence of all things, advising her to be thankful for what she had and let it go.
Key Events
- Alex rants about Arcadius’s marriage proposal; Sunny tries to console her.
- Sunny reveals a secret passage hidden behind a panel in the chapel.
- In the hidey‑hole, Alex confesses that she is not the true heir.
- She describes her real upbringing: mother a cheese seller, father a ditch digger who sold her to a thief.
- The real Alexia died of disease; the imposter stole her identity using a coin and a forged birthmark.
- Alex proposes they flee together; Sunny refuses, saying Alex is now something important.
- Sunny goes to Jakob’s room, finds him praying, and shares the situation.
- Jakob comforts Sunny, speaking about the fleeting nature of everything and the need to let go.
Character Development
- Alex (the imposter): This chapter completely redefines her character. She is revealed as a frightened, insecure person who longed to be “not nothing.” Her confession strips away the imperial facade, showing her vulnerability and deep guilt. Her offer to run away underscores her desire to escape the crushing weight of her lie.
- Sunny: Sunny struggles with empathy. Though not human, she forces herself to stay and listen. When Alex suggests running, Sunny makes a hard choice: she rejects personal happiness for the greater good. Her final scene with Jakob shows her own longing for something of her own.
- Jakob: The old knight offers wisdom rather than action. His prayer shows a flicker of lost faith. His hug and philosophical words provide rare tenderness and a somber perspective on loss.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Identity and impostorship: The entire chapter hinges on a stolen identity. Alex’s confession exposes the fragility of titles and the power of belief. The coin and the birthmark are symbols of a borrowed self.
- Secrets and hidden spaces: The secret passage literalizes the hidden truths within the palace—and within Alex. The hidey‑hole becomes a space where masks drop.
- Sacrifice and letting go: Sunny’s refusal to run away is a selfless act. Jakob’s speech about impermanence reinforces that every bond must eventually be released.
- Light and darkness: The lamp Sunny hands Alex at the end of their conversation symbolizes the light of truth (or duty) that Alex must now carry alone.
Why This Chapter Matters
This is the emotional and narrative turning point of the second half of the book. Alex’s identity reveal shatters the foundation of her claim to the Serpent Throne and forces the reader to reconsider every previous scene. Sunny’s choice to put duty over love deepens her character arc. Jakob’s comfort provides a rare moment of grace in a brutal world. The chapter sets up the tension for Alex’s inevitable coronation under a lie and the consequences that will follow.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What is Alex’s true background, and how does she become an impostor?
Alex was born to a cheese‑seller mother and a ditch‑digging father. At age seven, her father sold her to a thief named Gal the Purse. She met the real Princess Alexia there, who showed her the birthmark and the copper coin. When the princess died of the Long Pox, the imposter stole the coin, burned a fake birthmark, and took her name.
2. Why does Sunny refuse to run away with Alex after the confession?
Sunny believes Alex now has a genuine opportunity to do good as Empress. She argues that running away would waste that chance. Sunny also knows the Pope’s binding will eventually send her back to the Holy City, making any future together impossible. She chooses to let Alex go for the sake of the empire.
3. How does Jakob’s philosophy in this chapter affect Sunny’s decision?
Jakob tells Sunny that nothing lasts forever—no love, hate, war, or peace. He advises her to be thankful for what she had and then let it go. His words reinforce Sunny’s own resolve to sacrifice her personal happiness and accept the ephemeral nature of her relationship with Alex.