When Standa is released from jail, he feels a brighter future is about to take hold. Instead, his bad luck grows, thanks to a new acquaintance.

The shadow of a great dragon circles above the royal castle, Princess Caroline tries on a black mourning dress while crying, and a few invited princes feast in the courtyard. Over a good meal, they discuss what should be done. The first prince suggests offering the dragon a few hundred subjects instead of the princess, the second believes that the kingdom has neglected prevention and that the dragon should be dissuaded, and the third prince has composed a song about it. But none of them wants to face the dragon...