The first quarter of the 19th century was a time of resounding glory and great victories of the Russian state and at the same time a time of the collapse of colonial systems, great upheavals and bitter losses. And behind every event that has gone down in history, there are hidden secrets, some of which will have to be unraveled by Andrei Volensky. 1802, St. Petersburg. A murder has been committed. All evidence points to Volensky's guilt. Even high-ranking friends are unable to remove suspicion from the count, and only the mysterious Italian countess comes to his aid. Andrei is forced to conduct an investigation while in an illegal situation. Plus, no one seems to want to know the truth anymore. But the crime committed is only a small part of an ominous plan. Supporters of absolutism are preparing new murders. Their goal is to force the young Emperor Alexander I to abandon liberal reforms...