Episode 3 · Lyra, Nova, Lucian
Nova pretends to offer Lyra's seat back through fake tears, but Lucian stops her and snaps at Lyra. Lyra carries a chair to the far end of the table and eats silently. When Lyra finishes, James and Maria order her and Lucian to repeat their school year for Nova. Lyra remembers how this ruined her past life with Asher Grey. She asks if Nova needs two personal servants to attend class.
Nova cries and pretends to surrender Lyra's chair. Lucian orders Nova to stay put and scolds his sister. Instead of arguing, Lyra drags another chair to the far end of the table and finishes her meal in complete silence.
Lyra stands up to leave the dining room. James and Maria stop her with a sudden announcement. They state Nova is a year behind in school and demand that both Lyra and Lucian repeat their grade to keep Nova company.
Lyra remembers repeating the grade in her past life. That choice placed Asher Grey in their classroom. Nova framed Lyra for wrongdoing, while Lucian and Asher defended Nova. The false accusations left Lyra completely ostracized by the time she graduated.
Returning to the present moment, Lyra looks back at James and Maria. She bluntly scoffs at their demand. She asks them directly whether Nova requires two personal servants simply to walk into a classroom and attend her lessons.
“I'm sorry. I didn't know I'd taken Lyra's seat. I'll give it back to her.”
“Lyra, you can sit anywhere. Stop scaring her.”
“Nova needs her family beside her. Lucian already agreed.”
“She needs two personal servants just to attend class?”
Lyra leaves her entire family stunned by ridiculing their demand to hold her back a school year. She refuses to play servant to Nova, cutting off the trap that destroyed her before. How will James, Maria, and Lucian react to Lyra openly defying their plans for Nova's comfort?