Before dying on the battlefield, the emperor extracts a sacred pledge from his legendary general Julian to grant rebellious imperial daughter Elizabeth one hundred chances to rule wisely. When Julian returns from three brutal campaigns with prematurely silvered hair, he finds Elizabeth hopelessly infatuated with a treacherous courtier who manipulates her into stripping Julian of command.
Having tolerated ninety-nine insults and broken promises, Julian solemnly accepts her final decree abolishing their betrothal and departs into self-imposed retirement. Left defenseless as foreign invaders exploit her ruinous leadership, Elizabeth realizes the catastrophic weight of her hubris as enemies march through the palace gates.
