In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all is the steward, , a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give . While tries to sustain dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, the king's newest mistress. In , she finds someone who's authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?