
In a secluded forest clearing the king and his loyal duke pause their hunt, seeking a brief respite from the relentless demands of court life. Their dialogue drifts from the soothing rustle of trees to the uneasy undercurrents of power, hinting at hidden grievances and unspoken obligations. The natural setting amplifies their yearning for calm, yet the conversation quickly turns toward a matter that cannot remain concealed.
The duke confides that a secret—long guarded—concerns a child of noble birth, the daughter of a recently deceased noblewoman. This revelation stirs a delicate balance of duty, affection, and political intrigue, as the king grapples with the implications of acknowledging a child whose existence could reshape alliances. As the two men weigh the weight of lineage against personal longing, the tension builds, promising a drama where familial bonds and royal responsibilities collide.
Language
de
Duration
~2 hours (132K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2003-12-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1749–1832
One of the towering figures of German literature, he wrote with unusual range and curiosity, moving from love stories and lyric poetry to drama, criticism, and science. His work has shaped readers and writers for generations, especially through The Sorrows of Young Werther and Faust.
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