Life on Kartavya was difficult enough before it became so confusing. When everything fit neatly into its own box, such as knowing exactly who was the enemy of whom, even if nobody said it out loud, for example. Princess Shefali is doing her best to associate fairly with a gutter peasant who has somehow become her closest friend, along with enemies encroaching on her inner circle. Crown Prince Raza's education uncovered years of abuse by his own dynasty against the people of the Empire. His own attempts to prepare himself for a more humane reign threaten his very life, but will his courage be rewarded?