The novel tells the story of the years of the reign of Russian Emperor Peter II. In the uncompromising struggle of court factions, the question of where Russia will go next is being decided: along the path begun by Peter I, the “revolutionary on the throne,” or back to the times of Muscovite Rus'. Peter II prefers the line of his father, who was executed by his grandfather. The fate of Peter I's reforms is in question, his associates suffer defeat after defeat, and only the unexpected death of the young Sovereign puts an end to this struggle. Included in the collection Peter II.