Résumé: Excel cannot long survive in the artificial body of Isshiki; the tragedy is that she has no incentive to leave it, as she’s finally the faultless servant of Lord Il Palazzo she’s dreamed of being. By contrast, Iwata seems to have made a recovery under Matsuya’s care—but in coming back to his old self, he tells her secrets beyond what a lover would. And Miwa makes her next move by revealing a few things her son has kept to himself. They say a little knowledge is dangerous—and if it’s in the hands of Umi...?