Seventeen-year-old Matilda Kshesinskaya graduates from the Imperial Theater School and dreams of becoming famous and an adornment of the Russian ballet. Around her are friends, a loving family and admirers, her first love...

But if you succeed, intrigue and rivalry await you behind the curtain, powerful men are ready to do anything to get the young ballerina, and your love is doomed in advance - after all, the Heir will never marry you.

This novel is a wonderful story about the formation of the permanent queen of the Imperial Ballet, from college graduate Kshesinskaya Jr. to the Most Serene Princess Romanovskaya-Krasinskaya: first love, first tragedy, first success and world recognition - all this is the beginning of the life of one of the most controversial figures in Russian history.

Tatyana Bogatyreva is a prose writer and screenwriter from St. Petersburg. Works in cinema, is the author of the libretto and lyrics for ice ballets, including the historical musical “Princess Anastasia” of the Elena Berezhnaya Ice Theater. Author of the collection of stories "Mariana Trench", publishing house "Special Literature" (shortlist for the "Nose" award), the book "Mother's Day", publishing house "Rosmen" (shortlist for the award "New Children's Book"), the story "Make a Wish Yesterday" ", publishing house "Rosman", etc. Winner of a number of film and literary awards.