1789. The Russian Empire. Mashenka Ozerova, a court lady and a maid of honor of Catherine II. Having become a plaything in the hands of plotters, she ends up involved in an attempt on the empress’s life and is sent to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Her lover, Grigory Chemesov, rejects her. And the commandant promises the young woman to spare her from the monstrous execution in exchange for her favors. Pregnant and frightened, young Masha makes a horrible decision—wanting to save herself and her loved ones from death.