In Lezak, Randy and Eagle discuss information that points to Rowan and Dr. Zai Gristen being one and the same. Eagle plans a trip to the Capital to request reinforcements.
In the Capital, Jessie is attending the Blue Tribe Medical Science Meeting, one of the largest gatherings of Blue People in the Empire. She and Yuan discuss the upcoming program of events, including a debate between practitioners of the three great healing arts — an Alchemist, a Blue Doctor, and a Seldian Mineral Therapy Mentor. Jessie notices a bite mark on the ear lobe of another attendant — a sure sign that the girl is being courted by another member of their tribe.
Just then Jessie's parents and her older sister Sera appear with Eagle in tow, having helped him navigate the conference to find her. He's in the Capital to request assistance from the Police Army higher ups, and he invites Jessie to eat dinner with him. Jessie happily accepts, but after Eagle leaves her family's gentle ribbing turns serious when they remind her not to get too attached to a man from outside their tribe. Sera announces her engagement to another tribe member has been finalized.
Jessie attempts to do some research in the library but finds her thoughts consumed by the not-date with Eagle later in the day. She's interrupted by the Alchemist Airi, who passes on the message that Dr. Zai now works with the Garicalege. Airi invites Jessie to visit her shop in the city if she wants more information. A handsome boy from the Sixth Blue Caravan, Naim, re-introduces himself to Jessie and asks if she'll consider his offer of marriage alongside Yuan's.
Eagle attends a meeting of the Military Police Brass, but his request for reinforcements to strike against the Garicalege is denied. Sierra, his Shugo Bird, teases him about the attention he is paying to Jessie, and asks him what his reaction would be if Jessie received a "sweatheart bite" on her ear.
Across town Naim asks Jessie if she's got any romantic prospects. When she hesitates in her answer, he asks if she has a crush on a citizen. Naim marks Jessie's ear with a bite to show his interest in her, but when he asks her if she'll mark his ear in return she slaps him and runs away.
At dinner with Eagle, Jessie has dressed herself up with makeup and clothes borrowed from her older sister. She's nervous even as Eagle compliments her and tries to lighten the mood by asking about the bite on her ear. Jessie flees the restaurant, and when Eagle follows her she confesses that he's the man she's in love with. Jessie leaves a bite mark on Eagle's ear and runs away, finding herself at Airi's shop. The alchemist asks if Jessie wants to go to where the Garicalege is hiding and see Dr. Zai again.
Chapter 11 Provides Examples of:
- Dude Magnet: She's already caught the eye of Yuan and Eagle, but in this Chapter Jessie receives a pre-marriage proposal from a 3rd boy — Naim of the 6th caravan.
- Entitled to Have You: The Inverted version is Conversed more than once in the chapter:
- By Jessie's family — they tease her for the obvious crush she has on Eagle (who they acknowledge is handsome and polite and a Captain in the Police Army), but all remind her that she can't pursue a romantic relationship with him because he isn't a member of their tribe.Sera: Since it's our obligation, as members of the Blue Tribe, to marry and stay within our family group. We're not allowed to fall in love with a citizen of the Empire, right? So because of that... even though Eagle is a wonderful man... it wouldn't be good to fall in love with him.
- By Naim — after getting her to admit she doesn't have romantic feelings for Yuan, he surmises that Jessie's unconfessed crush might be on a citizen instead of a fellow Blue Tribe member. He warns her that continuing to harbor those feelings will only hurt her in the end.Naim: Hey Jessie. You like someone don't you?Jessie: Ah... um...Naim: I was right. I thought you seemed distracted. You haven't confessed?Jessie: Not yet... I've been focused on my work.Naim: I see. But it's been a whole year since you became a Blue Doctor, right? You should try your best at romance, too.Jessie: No really, it's okay...!Naim: Is it possible that he's not a Blue Doctor? That's no good Jessie. No one around you is going to be able to give you their blessing. And as the days go by it will only kill your smile. You'll be hurt, and then you'll cry. All because of this man.
- By Jessie — before she confesses her feelings towards Eagle.Jessie: ...you aren't a Blue Doctor. If it's someone from the same tribe, the same blood as me, I wouldn't have any problems.
- By Jessie's family — they tease her for the obvious crush she has on Eagle (who they acknowledge is handsome and polite and a Captain in the Police Army), but all remind her that she can't pursue a romantic relationship with him because he isn't a member of their tribe.
- Forbidden Love: Jessie's own family remind her that a relationship with Eagle is forbidden, no matter how handsome and kind he is.
- Kiss-Kiss-Slap: Naim marks up Jessie's earlobe with a "sweetheart bite" — a courtship ritual among the Blue People to indicate that he's interested in her romantically. She's so shocked by the action that she says nothing, but when he asks her if she'll mark his ear in return she slaps him and runs away.
- Love Confession:
- Not quite a "love" confession, but Naim is very open about his interest in Jessie as a possible marriage partner, and even marks her ear with a "sweetheart bite."
- Jessie confesses her feelings towards Eagle. She also marks Eagle's ear with a bite.Eagle: Isn't the person you like a Blue Doctor?Jessie: No... that's not right. The person I like is you! I love you, Eagle.
- Mum Looks Like a Sister: It would be nearly impossible to tell Jessie's mom and older sister Sera apart if their mother wasn't drawn with a bit of lipstick. Blame the art style.
- Not a Date: Eagle invites Jessie to eat dinner with him. He picks a nice restaurant and she wonders if she needs to borrow some prettier clothes from her sister or put on a bit of makeup, but is adamant about the fact that it's not a date — they aren't dating, and a romantic relationship between them would be forbidden. (Of course, then she goes and makes a Love Confession to him at the end of the evening...)"...Would you like to eat dinner together?" That... it seems like a date... maybe... I wonder if I should dress up a little? I could borrow some clothes from my big sister... Maybe I should also put on some makeup...? But if I go too far it might be strange...
- One-Shot Character: Jessie's mother, older sister Sera, and Naim (a previously unmentioned acquaintance from her time spent in the 6th caravan) all show up in this chapter to interact with Jessie and Eagle... and are never again seen or mentioned.
- Say It with Hearts: Jessie's older sister Sera uses speech bubbles with gratuitous hearts. It could just be because she's teasing Jessie about Eagle, or it could be an indicator that she's got a flirtatious, upbeat personality.
- When she tells Jessie that Eagle sought her out:Sera: Your seductive knight Eagle came to see you! ♥ ♥
- After Eagle has invited Jessie to dinner and left:Sera: He's such a fine man! ♥
- While discussing her own recent engagement:Jessie: Sera, don't you already have an intended fiancé?Sera: Yep. ♥ In addition, last night he formally proposed and we finished our marriage settlement. ♥
- When she tells Jessie that Eagle sought her out:
- Talking Animal: Eagle's talking Shugo Bird, Sierra, finally makes another appearance after her introduction in Chapter 4.
