Summary

In the prologue, Iris Winnow sees her older brother Forest off at a train platform. Iris is 18, and Winnow is 23. Their mother, Aster, stayed home as she is upset with Winnow for enlisting in the goddess Enva’s war. Winnow urges Iris to enjoy her final year in school and take care of Mum. Winnow gifts her his trench coat. After the train departs, Iris finds a note for her inside: “Just in case you didn’t know… you are by far the best sister I’ve ever had. I’m so proud of you. And I’ll be home before you know it, Little Flower” (6).

Chapter 1 resumes five months later. Iris runs through the rain but still arrives late to work at the Oath Gazette. Her work rival, Roman Kitt, chastises her for it. They quibble about who will get the assignment...