Caraval

Scarlett demands answers from Legend as to why her sister was in communication with him and why he couldn’t grant her the wish even though she won the game. He reveals he isn’t really Legend. His true name is Caspar, and he’s an actor playing Legend. Caspar can’t provide more details about Legend, but he does give Scarlett a series of six letters between Legend and Tella.

The first letter is from Legend. He’s intrigued by Tella’s question, though he doesn’t know if he can help her, and he reminds her of his history with her grandmother, Annalise. Tella states she is aware of that and also knows a woman killed herself at a Caraval. Since then, she knows that Legend doesn’t want to be a villain anymore and suggests helping her is his chance at redemption. Legend writes back that he is “beyond redemption” but will work with her (370). Tella assures him she’ll do whatever is necessary. Legend asks if she thinks that someone will love her enough to wish her back to life, and Tella is certain. Scarlett realizes that all along Tella had been trying to save them both and murmurs, “Foolish Tella,” to which Tella replies, “Personally I think clever is a more appropriate word” (374). Scarlett can’t believe Tella is alive.

Caspar excuses himself and says he’ll see them at the party. Tella apologizes for tricking Scarlett and explains that a wish only works when a person wants something more than anything. It can’t be given. Scarlett realizes that her sister is much braver and more intelligent than she’d ever thought. This game had nothing to do with punishing Scarlett and Tella for Legend’s broken heart over their grandmother. It was Tella’s idea all along. Since it’s all truly a game, Scarlett wonders if Julian could still be alive and asks Tella if she knew that he would die.

Tella assures Scarlett that Julian isn’t really dead. She admits she told Legend to ensure that if any of the players made Scarlett fall in love that Legend would kill them off because Tella understands how important Scarlett’s engagement is to her. Tella apologizes again as Scarlett tries to work out her feelings. Tella explains that all the actors “are bound by magic that prevents them from confessing certain trusts—like admitting they are really actors” (381). Julian was only supposed to drop them off at the isle and leave her at the clock shop, and she tells Scarlett they never kissed. It was all staged.

Dante also died but came back to life, thanks to the magic of Caraval. This kind of magic only applies to Legend’s troupe, so since Tella isn’t a performer, she could’ve really stayed dead if Scarlett’s wish hadn’t worked. Tella wants Scarlett to come to the party and picks out a pretty pink dress for Scarlett. It’s a party only for performers, but Legend made an exception for them. Tella wants Scarlett to find closure with Julian and helps her get ready. Scarlett realizes they are finally free, and though their futures are uncertain, they have choices now. Scarlett tells Tella she loves her, and Tella says she knows as she wouldn’t be alive otherwise.

Scarlett and Tella attend the decadent afterparty with the actors, who are now dressed like themselves. Scarlett spies Julian across the way chatting with another girl and thinks she made a mistake in coming here. Aiko appears next to her and explains to Scarlett that the girl Julian is talking to, Angelique, always flirts with taken men. Tella and Aiko prompt Scarlett to talk to Julian, and she does. Tella and Aiko go chat with Dante.

She approaches Julian and asks if that’s his real name. He shares his full name with her, Julian Bernardo Marrero Santos. Scarlett feels strange now that they’re together outside of the game and says she doesn’t feel like she knows him at all. Julian is hurt, but he calls her Scarlett, instead of his usual pet name, Crimson.

Scarlett turns to leave, but Julian grabs her arm. He explains that he wasn’t always acting and admits he’s Legend’s brother. Julian doesn’t age as long as he is a part of Legend’s acting troupe. He understands that Scarlett is hurt, but he assures her his feelings are real. Scarlett notices he still has the scars from her father’s knife, and Julian says that, though they can’t die forever, the injuries they incur stay. Scarlett apologizes on behalf of her father and forgives him. This time, he really promises he won’t lie to her again. There is technically a rule that actors and participants aren’t supposed to be romantically involved after the game, but Julian doesn’t care about rules. They kiss, and it feels like the first time all over again.