Ep. 10: Alice dreams of her mother while navigating Duke’s insomnia and family tensions.

10

Alice dreams of her mother, Sharon, who served the Duke’s mother in his youth. Viola is upset they missed Christmas dinner, prompting Zain to send Cuff shopping alone after criticizing his doting nature. Cuff nearly harms a pickpocket, forcing Zain to intervene and resume his protective habit. Duke struggles with insomnia, so Alice joins him in bed, but her nudity worsens his restlessness. She questions his mother, and Duke vows to leave his family if separated from Alice, causing Alice to fear future division. Rob recalls being ordered to raise Duke away from the family, becoming a surrogate father who blamed himself for Duke’s isolation until Alice arrived. Duke asks Alice to sing while he plays The Owl and the Pussy-Cat on the piano, leading to mutual embarrassment. Alice returns to her room despondent, believing they will be parted when his curse breaks.