Chapter 35 Summary: A Dance Before Parting
⚠️ 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
In Chapter 35 (Chapter Thirty-Five), told from Tiyung’s perspective, he and Hana dine together in a crowded Trove tavern. Tiyung, still feeling unclean despite recent baths, eats ravenously. Hana teases him about potentially choking before his father Seok can throttle him. Their conversation turns to Sora, the woman they both love. Tiyung admits he has moved past jealousy and genuinely wants Sora’s happiness. Hana surprises him by apologizing for misjudging him.
They face imminent separation: Tiyung will travel to Qali to confront his father, while Hana will flee to Tamneki to find Sora and the others. Both fear they may never meet again amid the coming war. To avoid dwelling on dread, Tiyung asks Hana to dance. They perform a graceful dance that draws the crowd’s applause. During the dance, Tiyung recalls his childhood—an assassination attempt on Seok, the end of balls and friends, and his father’s turn to training poisoners. Tiyung has survived by being Seok’s opposite. After the dance, Hana’s cryptic reply “I guess we’ll see” leaves Tiyung uneasy.
Key Events
- Tiyung and Hana share a meal in a Trove tavern; Tiyung eats voraciously.
- Hana jokes about Tiyung’s father possibly killing him.
- They discuss their shared love for Sora; Tiyung claims he no longer feels jealous.
- Hana apologizes for having misjudged Tiyung.
- They acknowledge their separate destinations: Tiyung to Qali, Hana to Tamneki.
- To avoid gloom, Tiyung asks Hana to dance; they dance well.
- Tiyung recalls his father’s assassination attempt and the loss of friendships and balls.
- Tiyung notes that he has survived by being the opposite of his father.
- Hana’s ambiguous “I guess we’ll see” creates a sense of unresolved tension.
Character Development
Tiyung reveals vulnerability beneath his humor. He openly admits past jealousy over Sora but insists he has transcended it, showing emotional growth. He also exposes the survival strategy he adopted: being the opposite of his ruthless father. His decision to dance rather than dwell on impending separation demonstrates a desire to treasure fleeting connections. Yet Hana’s final words unsettle him, hinting that he may still be missing something important.
Hana softens her usual guarded demeanor. Her apology signals a shift in how she views Tiyung—from adversary to ally. She allows herself a moment of genuine warmth through dance. However, her cryptic closing line suggests she still holds back, perhaps protecting a secret or grappling with mixed feelings.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Farewell and uncertainty dominate the chapter. The meal and dance become rituals to stave off the knowledge that their paths may never cross again. Trust and misjudgment are addressed when Hana admits she misjudged Tiyung; the dance itself becomes a symbol of harmony and temporary connection. Survival and identity are explored through Tiyung’s reflection on his father: Seok became a brutal poison‑trainer after an assassination attempt, while Tiyung chose the opposite path. The fire and oil lamps Tiyung still needs at night hint at lingering trauma and insecurity.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter serves as a quiet character‑focused interlude before Tiyung’s arrival in Qali. It deepens the bond between Tiyung and Hana, humanizing both and complicating their alliance. The dance and shared memories reinforce the stakes: war is coming, and not everyone will survive. Hana’s ambiguous remark foreshadows potential friction or hidden intentions, adding tension to the narrative as the two characters separate.
Study Questions and Answers
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What does Tiyung’s reaction to Hana’s joke about his father reveal about his relationship with Seok?
Tiyung responds with “Very funny” but internally acknowledges that his father may be happy or furious to see him. This shows the unpredictable, strained nature of their relationship—Seok is capable of violence even toward his own son. -
How does the dance sequence symbolize the characters’ temporary escape from their looming futures?
The dance lets them forget their impending separation and the dangers ahead, focusing on a shared moment of joy and skill. Tiyung explicitly refuses to waste their last moments in dread, using dance as a deliberate act of defiance against fear. -
Why does Hana’s final line “I guess we’ll see” leave Tiyung feeling unsettled?
Tiyung describes it as “a false note” that sours the experience. The ambiguity suggests that Hana may doubt whether their friendship, Sora’s happiness, or even their own survival is assured, hinting at secrets or unresolved emotions she has not shared.