Die Hexe: Eine Erzählung

On a bright May morning in 1751, a procession of ornate carriages rolls out of Frankenthal’s gate toward the new castle site at Appental. The gathering includes clergy, municipal officials, and a glittering retinue of young nobles and their companions, all assembled to witness the laying of the foundation stone for Schloss Monrepos. The atmosphere is festive yet formal, with elaborate greetings and a marching band setting the tone for the day's ceremony.

Among the passengers, a striking blonde girl—Babette, the late forester’s daughter—carries an air of otherworldly confidence, exchanging mischievous glances with the dashing Junker Emmerich. Their flirtatious play draws the attention of the town’s young gentlemen, who watch with a mixture of envy and suspicion. Beneath the laughter, subtle rivalries surface as the newcomers and locals navigate questions of status, faith, and hidden motives.