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Synopsis

The Shaderan household has declined into poverty while its rulers, a grasping baron and baroness, pursue social recovery at any cost. They prioritize their elder, attractive daughter Anastasia as a means to secure fortune, and they confine the younger sister, Marie, to the role of household drudge. Repeated mistreatment convinces Marie that she is unworthy of care or affection. On a birthday arranged to highlight Anastasia, Marie encounters Count Kyros Granado, who is taken with her and appreciative of her cultural knowledge. Kyros, under the impression that Anastasia was his intended, sends a marriage proposal by letter; when Anastasia dies en route to their union, Marie is compelled to assume her sister’s place and becomes the count’s intended instead. Inexperienced and lacking confidence, Marie is nurtured by Kyros’s patient support, which helps her recognize her own value, perceive her attractiveness, and understand what it means to be truly loved.