Francisco de Sandoval, a young noble left desperate by his non-existent inheritance, finds a way to improve his lot: by abandoning his lover, Juana, and entering a marriage of convenience with Catalina de la Cerda. This will allow Francisco to embark upon a rapid social ascent until he becomes the valet and right-hand man to the king, Emperor Philip III... However, his rapid ascent will be marked by controversy and he will have many enemies. At loggerheads with the queen, Margaret of Austria, even his former lover will seek his fall. Francisco de Sandoval, known to the world as the Duke of Lerma, is one of the most notable figures in the history of Habsburg Spain. He governed the empire with the daring and scorn of the social climber he probably was whilst the palace intrigues filled the streets with hatred and death. Undoubtedly a throne of clay...