Historical novel about the life of Maria Francisca of Savoy, an important member of the French nobility and cousin of king Louis XIV, she was twice queen consort of Portugal as the spouse of two Portuguese kings. She first became queen of Portugal by her marriage to Afonso VI in 1666. Since the marriage was never consummated, she was able to obtain an annulment and married Afonso's brother, the prince Peter, who was appointed regent due to Afonso's perceived incompetence. Maria Francisca became queen of Portugal for the second time when Peter succeeded his brother as Peter II in 1683.