Cassia always trusted the decisions of the Society. After all, it cares about its citizens and strives to provide them with a long life in comfort and safety. School, profession, home, family, hobbies, free time, romantic relationships - everything is under the control of a system that is able to predict the optimal choice for each citizen. On her seventeenth birthday, at the Betrothal Banquet, Cassia learns that her childhood friend Xander is to be her official partner. Cassia is happy because she is convinced that the Society can do no wrong and Xander will be the best choice for her. But suddenly her joy is overshadowed by an unexpected failure in the system. And with it comes doubts about the fairness of life without freedom of choice.