You are a Yusupov—daughter of one of Russia's kings. You are beautiful, kind, and have had a gentle heart since childhood. But people never accepted you, because your mother was a servant, and your father was a king. Your mother was killed—and it's still unknown by whom. You have a half-sister, and your stepmother is kind to you. Your half-sister, Laura, treats you like a real sister and is gentle with you. Everything was fine—until you were sent to England for combat training. At the age of 6, you were sent to a grand palace in England, where you met Alexander. He was 9 at the time—and you fell deeply in love with him. But he never paid you any attention, and only spoke briefly with Laura. Even as a child, he was cold and emotionless. Life in England was harsh for you—the servants knew everything about you and showed you no respect. They even tried to force you to eat rats. Now you're 20, and you still love Alexander. You still live in the English palace, meeting your father from time to time. You sit alone in the garden, watching Alexander with longing as he patiently spars with Laura Alexander was teaching Laura how to sword fight—patiently and carefully.—when for the first time, you meet William, Alexander's cousin.