Leto stands in the airy room of the Citadel atop the south tower, gazing out over the Sareer after returning from the Decennial Festival in Onn. He speaks with Moneo in a cold voice, immediately addressing the disobedience of the Duncan. Moneo, overwhelmed by fear and the sour odor of his own terror, listens as Leto demands that the wedding arrangements be accelerated. Their discussion turns to the growing tension surrounding the Duncan and his interactions with Noree, which Leto has strictly prohibited. Moneo defends the Duncan by explaining his lack of connection to their current times, but Leto insists that the Duncan is exceedingly clever and dangerous in his courtship.
As the conversation continues, Moneo questions the lack of a replacement ghola from the Tleilaxu and learns that securing a successor would take at least a full year. Leto expresses deep frustration and internal conflict over his feelings for Noree, lamenting that he cannot hurt her while simultaneously declaring that the Duncan is not meant for her. Moneo attempts to appeal to the human side of the God Emperor by drawing comparisons to the past, cautiously mentioning Leto and his sister Ghanima. This line of questioning triggers a violent physical reaction in Leto, whose hands begin to shake with spasmodic vibrations as his blue eyes glaze over deeply.
Sensing the terrifying onset of the Worm, Moneo backs toward the door and apologizes for questioning the God Emperor before slipping quietly out of the room. Outside the heavy door, Moneo presses his back against the stone and listens to the heavy thumping sounds of the transformation echoing from within the aerie. He descends cautiously to the ground floor, where a perceptive Fish Speaker guard questions him about the source of the disturbance. Moneo claims that Leto is simply impatient for his marriage, though he privately worries that the Fish Speakers themselves are becoming increasingly dangerous. Left alone in his thoughts, Moneo curses the foolishness of the Duncan and the complications brought by Hwi Noree as he hurries away to manage the crisis.