August 1912. The American Helena Schmitz, daughter of a wealthy American business dynasty, meets her father Wilhelm in Vienna to explore the city of their ancestors together. What was intended as the conclusion of her educational journey through the Old World becomes the beginning of a different kind of adventure for the young woman. Helena travels to Moravia to the estate of Austrian Lieutenant Karl August von Greiffenwalde, marries the attractive nobleman, and moves to his family estate Solmeritz. However, this marks the end of classical romance: the war drastically changes the couple's lives and reshuffles the cards. Karl August is sent to the front. Helena finds herself in a forced cohabitation with his sister Natalia, who has previously treated her with disdain. To the young countess's surprise, the aloof countess soon proves to be not only...