Scarlett enters Caraval with Julian and wonders if they made a mistake by lying to Jovan, the girl on the unicycle. She thinks that maybe she should’ve told the truth, but Julian reminds her that no one is what they seem at Caraval. Scarlett shouldn’t assume that because Jovan looked friendly that she would’ve let him in without the lie. He warns Scarlett that no one is what they seem and that the only thing that matters when they step through the doors is the game. He knows because he has played before.

Scarlett wonders if he’s after this year’s prize, a wish, but Julian refuses to tell her the real reason he’s returned to play. Scarlett feels like Julian used her for her extra ticket, and they briefly fight about their fake engagement until Scarlett finally relents, though Julian is “the last person [she] wanted to partner with” (86). They enter the large wooden house filled with violin music where the game takes place. Julian smiles at Scarlett seductively, but she assures him that it doesn’t work on her, though he says that’s why he enjoys doing it.