Alexander Pushkin is young, brash and adored by high society. He is the star at every ball he attends, his fans revere his poetic talent, and young women dream of winning his attention. However, not even his aristocratic patrons and loyal friends, nor his growing fame can keep him from dueling, getting exiled, and becoming destitute. Only when he meets his true love does he find meaning in life, and his genius develops to make him the legend the world knows today.

Russia, the late 19th century. As the threat of war with Great Britain looms, a mysterious device—a mechanical flea—is discovered within the Imperial Palace. Tasked with investigating the incident is a young officer, Pyotr Ogaryov, who dreams of earning the trust of Tsar Alexander III. In his quest for the truth, he joins forces with Lefty, a brilliant but forgotten master craftsman from Tula. Together, they plunge into a world of intrigue and danger. To uncover a conspiracy, the two heroes must challenge the established order, unravel family secrets, and make a difficult choice between duty and passion. The security of the nation—and their own destinies—hang in the balance.