Alan Gubaev

Little Elizabeth thought her future was predestined: she was to marry Louis XV and become the Queen of France – that was the promise given to her by her father, Emperor of Russia Peter the Great. When Peter dies in 1725 without naming a successor, an era of palace coups and power struggles begins in Russia. For some tumultuous years it remains to be seen whether the young Russian Empire and its new capital St. Petersburg would stand, and what future lies in store for the country of Russia. Peter's widow, Catherine I, becomes Empress - the first woman to rule Imperial Russia. She wishes to fulfil the promise her late husband had given to their daughter, but fails. Young Louis XV refuses to marry Elizabeth after learning that she was born before her parents were officially married. That, in his eyes, made her illegitimate.

Andrey is a professional negotiator. When people can't agree, he helps them to — for a lot of money. For each dispute, he changes himself beyond recognition. Andrey can convince anyone of anything, anytime and anywhere, but he seems to have a hard time accepting his own self. This twisted psychological thriller tests the limits of how far people can go to get what they want. Cruel, dark, and shockingly manipulative, Andrey proves to be extremely efficient. But is it all worth it in the end? And what is the real cost of his abilities?