Dieudonat: Roman

The tale opens with a whispered debate over whether the enigmatic prince Dieudonat ever truly existed, setting a tone of playful mystery. In a sprawling fief ruled by the just‑named Duke Hardouin and his charitable Duchess Mahaut, the couple’s reputation for fairness masks a looming crisis: they have no heir. Their subjects fret over who will inherit the lands, while surrounding monarchs and the distant emperor eye the vacant throne with greedy intent.

Amid the political tension, a stark contrast emerges in the form of Ludovic, the duke’s dark‑haired bastard son, whose volatile temperament and rumored infernal lineage stir both fear and fascination at court. The duke’s conflicted affection for the boy hints at deeper secrets, while the duchess’s unease underscores the fragile balance of power. As rumors swirl and alliances shift, listeners are drawn into a richly textured world where honor, superstition, and ambition collide, promising a saga that questions the very nature of legend and lineage.