Two women of the Russian Emperor Alexander I, two loves he carried through his entire life. One—devoted and loving, but, in a German way, poised and cold—will be his wife, friend, and adviser. The other—empty and frivolous, yet so beautiful and desirable—will be only for taking: his feelings, money, and privileges. Hidden levers of power, political intrigues, no small passions—and love, reckless and all-consuming, which in the end brought happiness to no one in this royal love triangle.