Scarlett Dragna, a young woman betrothed to be married for political reasons, dreams of attending a magical game called Caraval that promises to blur the lines of fantasy and reality. Over the course of seven years, she writes letters to the leader of Caraval, Master Legend, pleading for him to visit her island, Trisda. After years of receiving no response, Scarlett pens her final letter in which she advises Master Legend he should not visit her home because she is getting married soon. Master Legend replies to her last letter with his congratulations on her engagement and, though his troupe will be unable to travel this year, he invites Scarlett and her fiancé to visit him for Caraval on his private island. He informs her there is an enclosed gift with the letter: three tickets to Caraval.

Ecstatic over Master Legend’s letter, Scarlett bursts into the barrel room to find her younger sister, Donatella (Tella). Scarlett calls out for Tella, but there’s no reply. When she hears a moan coming from beyond the rum barrels, Scarlett assumes Tella has drunk too much after their latest fight with their abusive father, but she’s shocked to find Tella with an attractive sailor, Julian.