With nothing going in his favour, Aether had decided to go to the palace, not to challenge the trial, but to see what was inside, to prepare for when he did. To be aware of the environment.
He had left the Inn without even giving the women a moment to think, so she probably hated him, but at the same time, he knew that if he gave her that hope, she would get bound to him instead of the Inn, which put pressure on his shoulders.
And practically let only one path for him to go on. The one to challenge the trial, but what if he wanted to do something else? It didn't matter if he would have chosen the same path; it is better to have more than one, it is better to choose than only having one option.
He really.... really wanted to get out of this place, as fast as he could. He recognized its danger, as looking at his mental fortitude, it had dropped a little, but it had.
