To the people of her nation, Alisa Ivanova is known as Russia's future - the Empress that would bring back the light to the world wherever she goes. She is the daughter of Ivan Vasilievich, the 'Mad Tsar,' after all, and people are looking to her now that he was gone. Crowned only at fifteen, she was viewed as their hope, that would return her country into peace and prosperity, henceforth. Albeit a woman, Alisa had grew up in court, her studies devoted to fashioning her into a strong ruler. Little did anyone known that as innocent, kind, and wise as the Tsaritsa seemed to be, Alisa carried secrets unimaginable for anyone to bear, the loneliness surrounding her and threatening to eat her alive. To strengthen her reign, Alisa was was required to marry and produce an heir, which would secure her position as a female monarch. With her cousin, Dimitriy as regent, she was sent to the court of France, where she was taken in with open arms by Henry II and Catherine de Medici, of the House of Valois. Upon arrival, Alisa struggled to fit in, as she tried to find a suitable alliance for Russia. Carrying the burdening secrets of her past, she felt even more alone than ever, despite the comforting presence of one of her best friends (and a lady in waiting), Aaliyah. Things began to take a more complicated, yet exciting turn when she caught the eye of Francis Valois, and she began to fall for him, despite him being engaged to Mary, Queen of Scots. Thrown into the scandalous and dramatic affairs of the French Court, Alisa would need to use her wits and quick thinking to survive.
4 parts