Okay, she scarfs down something filling while thinking.
Kaede was definitely acting of her own free will last time they met. Whoever did this subdued her after their last meeting, probably caught her boyfriend sometime after she left to meet Temperance.
Whoever did this was likely not working under crown orders. Or at least there are better ways to subjugate a pair of people than leaving them inside a fairly luxurious room writing things. ...And who did it likely has some good control of the palace's internal affairs.
So, someone in the court, high-positioned and with the resources to subjugate Kaede and her boyfriend even thought they both have that absurd amount of power at their fingertips. There is probably a way for regular mages to do that, but Temperance is actually putting her guess on there being a third metamancer. That would explain a lot, a metamancer would have the ability to notice Kaede's own power and have the means to take it, and reasons to keep up the appearance of the two lovers writing their book. She was already considering the possibility on a subconscious level, that is why she was being careful with the consulate's field.
Metamancers are feared for a reason. That goes both ways in this situation. And both sides would have access to sorcery...
...But whoever did this is likely in a high position in the consulate. That sort of person wouldn't have the free time and dedication that Temperance did to absorb everything about sorcery. They likely don't know about Temperance either, plenty of opportunity to get her and no reason to let that loose end remain loose. They might be aware that someone interfered with the consulate's protections. Would they assume that Kaede had an ally on the outside? ...Maybe. Might protect themselves against it anyway.
Temperance's advantage here is sorcery and her ton of lifeforce with her.
She devises a plan. She gathers the necessary ingredients and uses sorcery.
When night comes she goes back to the High Consulate.