Alicia knows young English women are asked to serve their country by marrying the princes of politically-strategic European countries. Though she views the practice with disdain, she doesn't dwell on it. After all, only brides with some amount of royal blood flowing through their veins can cement an alliance between two countries. As the daughter of a forgotten duke, no such sacrifice could be required of her. When the ruler of Rasgrad approaches Queen Victoria requesting a marriage-bond with Great Britain, the queen finds family ties that link Alicia to the British throne and commands the young woman to travel to the small Balkan state to wed the prince. With a heavy heart, Alicia accepts her fate and boards the train that will carry her to the palace of a man she has never met—and is certain she won't like. But the meeting is not to be. As the train races through Europe towards its destination, it is derailed in a deadly accident, killing Alicia's chaperons and knocking her unconscious. She finally awakes unharmed, but her memory is completely erased, leaving her with no clue as to who she is, why she was on the train or where she was going. A traveling song-and-dance troupe that happened to be on the same train adopts her and nurses her back to health, welcoming her into its company as its new star player. Alicia accompanies the performers to the home of a young ruler, where the group is scheduled to entertain. Entranced by her beauty, intelligence and charm, the monarch falls deeply in love with her, and she with him. But their ill-fated passion is not meant to be: He is betrothed to another. Only the power of love can overcome this tragic Apocalypse of the Heart.