Eight-year-old Emperor Ivan is left alone against numerous contenders for the throne of the Russian Empire. While at the border systems ships destroyed by the American and Ottoman squadrons are still smoldering, a new war is already raging in the heart of the state. Ptolemy Grous, Admiral Desse, and the imperial princes—who have proclaimed themselves the true heirs to the throne—challenge the young autocrat, trying to remove him from the way.
What can an inexperienced boy possibly do against battle-hardened traitor admirals? But history knows plenty of examples where youth and courage defeated experience and cynical calculation. Besides, is the small emperor really as inexperienced as he seems at first glance?