The Hidden Prince plot
Christopher receives a letter from Eloise Dauvray, asking him to visit her and meet the other of the only two true men she has ever known. He goes and meets Prince Mirko of Dalvania, who plans to reclaim his father's usurped throne. The prince is secretly engaged to Eloise and doesn't want this to be known, as Rudovois, the Dalvanian ambassador, has promised the prince his help on the condition that he marry his daughter. Fitzgerald, an old enemy of Christopher and Eloise, learns of her engagement and sees an opportunity to take advantage of it.