Claire meanwhilereallywants to beat Rae at chess, but finds doing so difficult.
Yu, trying to get a better bead on Rae, proposes a game of poker.
Raes first hand is a good one, and her first card swap gives her a straight.
While out in the courtyard Rae leads Claire and Lene to where Second Prince Thane is playing the harp.
Rae does a masterful bit of bullshitting (orisit?)
by revealing to Thane that she was actually counting on him to expose her true intentions.
The one most confused by how Rae played the game is Lene.
After all, if Rae loves Claire, why would she work to bring Claire and Thane together?
When Claire reacts like shes in danger, Misha admonishes her for being prejudiced.
The point Misha makes is that no one lusts after anyone, anytime.
As such, shes simply content to be by Claires side.
This also explains why she asked Lene to help her bring Claire and Thane closer.
When Claire orders Rae to follow her out, Rae sheepishly asks if Claire hates her.
After a beat, Claire shouts thatof courseshe hates her.
