A young Prince is unsure of his place in the world. His distant father is dead, his loving but fierce mother is on the throne. Alberon has enemies on all sides, and seemingly within as well, for the Emperor's death would be labelled suspicious by some. The Empresses policies, though efficient, are cruelly pragmatic, and the Prince feels anger as he bears witness to the suffering of the most helpless in his nation. Fortunately, he is not alone; he has a trusted group of friends in Charlotte the Royal Librarian, his Valet Dio, and the sympathetic and skilled Lady Cassandra Beresford, as quick with her wits as she is with her sword. And when the Prince's path crosses with an orphan girl, she encourages him to wear his convictions with confidence, and learn that kindness and mercy are not weaknesses to be despised, but qualities of the very greatest Emperors.