The prince Maxim has finally revealed himself to the world! True, for now he hides his face behind the Mirror Mask. But he is already heading toward the Empty Throne. He has strong allies on his side: brothers, a sister, a nephew… Yet his enemies are no less powerful. And not all of them are known yet. Still, the deadline set by Father-Emperor is less than a month away. The Year of the Dragon has begun—a year in which one of the ten princes of the Russian Empire must ascend the throne.