As Mina hides in the room with the birdcage, Shin enters. Recognizing him, she sees that he has brought the birdcage containing her soul. As Shin prepares to leave, Mina fears that he might take the magpie with him, but he leaves it behind, giving Mina a chance to retrieve it. However, Shin senses something amiss and extinguishes his candle, filling the room with darkness and tension. When Shin leaves, Mina quickly goes for the birdcage, but Shin catches her in the act. He seems impressed by her determination but remains wary. As they converse, Mina tries to convince him of her intentions and warns him about the thieves she spotted earlier. Suddenly, the thieves burst in, leading to a chaotic fight. As Shin tries to fight them off, Mina joins the fray, fearing for Shin’s safety. During the scuffle, the birdcage falls and breaks, releasing the magpie. The bird transforms into a burst of light, restoring Mina’s voice. Shocked, she speaks, realizing that the Red String of Fate has reconnected her to Shin.

In the pavilion, Shin and Mina grapple with the mystery of the Red String of Fate that connects them. Despite attempts to sever it, the string remains intact. Shin dismisses Mina’s suggestion that touching hands might resolve the issue, but when they do make contact, the string flares up, though nothing else happens. Their interaction is interrupted by Namgi, who is surprised to see them together. Namgi and Shin discuss the lack of insignia on the uniforms of the thieves; this detail implies the presence of a secretive attacker. Mina’s presence at Lotus House also raises questions, but Shin claims that she is his bride, perhaps in an attempt to protect her. His statement shocks everyone, including Mina.

Later, a group led by Ryugi, who is Namgi’s brother, confronts Shin to demand the soul of the Sea God’s bride as proof that he has severed the tie to the Sea God. Shin insists that Mina is not the Sea God’s bride, but his own. Ryugi and his companions, who can transform into Imugi (serpent-like creatures), leave after delivering several threats. To seek guidance, Shin plans to visit Fox House, which is known for its wisdom. However, bringing Mina there is not necessarily safe, as the head of Fox House is a demon, and Mina is human.

Mina, Shin, and Namgi travel by boat to visit the mistress of Fox House, attracting attention and rumors about Shin’s supposed marriage to a human girl. As they navigate the canals, Mina reflects on the city’s festivities and contemplates the disconnection between the spirits and humans, and the gods’ role in protecting humanity. Arriving at a dense, misty forest, they meet a white fox, the goddess of Fox House, who speaks through a priestess. The fox confirms the unusual nature of the Red String of Fate binding Shin and Mina, which cannot be severed by any means known to them. The goddess reveals that this type of fate is dangerous and can only end if one of the bound dies, potentially causing the death of the other.

The fox further explains that the Red String of Fate connects soulmates. This revelation shocks everyone. Troubled, Shin claims that it is impossible for them to be soulmates because he believes that he doesn’t have a soul. Mina is left confused and frustrated, questioning the true nature of their connection and the implications of their intertwined fates.

Mina is left pondering how Shin could lack a soul. Upon their return to Lotus House, she undergoes an elaborate bathing and grooming process, during which the maidservants refer to her as “Lady Mina” and “Shin’s bride.” They discuss her youth and speculate on what attracted Shin to her, mentioning her appearance and the romantic nature of their sudden union. Left alone, Mina reflects on a story that her grandmother told her about the Sea God’s wrath following the death of a beloved emperor. This event led to the tradition of sacrificing brides to the Sea God.

Mina awakens in Shin’s personal quarters, which are stark and barely furnished. She inspects the room, finding no personal items that might reveal further information about Shin. Nari, whom Mina previously encountered, enters and expresses her disbelief about Mina’s engagement to Shin. Mina asks Nari to help her return to the Sea God’s palace, but Nari refuses, citing orders from Shin to keep Mina within Lotus House for her safety. Namgi, overhearing their conversation, steps in and insists that he will accompany Mina, thereby preventing her from attempting to escape on her own.

Namgi and Mina leave Lotus House on foot. As they walk through the bustling city, Mina keeps track of Shin’s location via the Red String of Fate. She is determined to reach the Sea God’s palace despite Namgi’s reminder that the gate will be closed until the arrival of the next bride. Along the way, Namgi, in his playful manner, suggests various activities, but Mina insists on going to the palace. As they walk, Mina observes Namgi’s interactions with the city’s inhabitants and inquires about his conversation with the men at the party. Namgi reveals that two of them were his brothers and that he is an Imugi, a mythical water snake aspiring to become a dragon. He shares his past attempt to steal a dragon pearl from Shin and his subsequent allegiance to him. Mina empathizes, sharing her own family background and her close relationship with her grandmother.

Their journey inadvertently circles back to a familiar location, and Mina realizes that they are moving away from the palace. Namgi, understanding her frustration, suggests waiting for Shin to take her to the palace. They continue through the market, where Mina encounters Mask, who uses a clever distraction to aid her escape from Namgi. Mask leads Mina to the palace, and to Mina’s surprise, the gate is slightly open. Mina thanks Mask for her help and enters the palace, leaving Mask and Miki outside.

The Sea God’s hall is empty, and Mina discovers a hidden garden through a door in a dragon mural. Exploring the serene garden, she finds a pavilion beside a pond filled with paper boats, each of which represents an unfulfilled prayer. Mina unfolds one boat, triggering a vision in which she witnesses a young, pregnant woman making a prayer. Overwhelmed by the vision, Mina collapses into a state of despair, pondering the futility of prayers and the pain of loss.

Shin finds Mina and brings her back to consciousness. They are in the Sea God’s garden, near the Pond of Paper Boats, where unanswered prayers lie. Mina, moved by the plight of the woman in her vision, insists that they must grant her wish. Shin, initially skeptical, agrees to help after learning that the woman is pregnant. Unable to read the smudged writing on the paper boat, Mina describes her vision to Shin. Concerned, Shin suggests that they visit Moon House to seek assistance from the Goddess of Women and Children, whom he believes will be able to help fulfill the woman’s wish.