39. Heterochromatic

A flashback to four years before the main timeline shows Shallan at a feast hosted by her father, Brightlord Lin Davar, where the highprince's bastard son Redin arrives to investigate rumors about the death of Shallan's mother. Though the messenger attempts to secure testimony from the family about her death, all four children remain silent out of fear, and Redin leaves in disgust without obtaining answers.

The chapter opens with Shallan remembering her father's practice of hosting feasts to mask his financial ruin and cruelty. At this particular feast four years ago, the Tavinar family visits, and Shallan notices her brother Balat exchanging glances with Brightlord Tavinar's teenage daughter. Shallan's father announces his betrothal to Brightlord Gevelmar's youngest daughter, giving gifts to his children to mark the occasion—fine daggers for the boys and a silver necklace for Shallan. The celebration is interrupted when a tall man with heterochromatic eyes (one blue, one brown) enters bearing the authority of Highprince Valam. This man is Redin, the highprince's bastard son, who has come to investigate rumors regarding the death of a lighteyed woman. He privately confronts Shallan's father at the high table while the children withdraw to the hearth. Shallan's brothers consider testifying about what happened to their mother, but fear prevents them. Balat almost stands but is cowed by the cold rage in their father's eyes. Shallan claims not to remember the events of her mother's death. When Redin appeals directly to the four siblings to come forward and testify, none do, and shamespren appear as a sign of their shame. Redin departs in disgust, remarking that even a bastard is above Shallan's father. After he leaves, their father orders them away, and they flee as he sinks into his chair, defeated.