The Bloody Duchess

In 1768, Daria Saltykova is set to be executed but Empress Catherine replaces her sentence with life imprisonment. Then a look back at Daria's childhood while living at a church.

Daria is in love with her husband's brother. Sensing her disappointment towards the marriage, her new husband vows to turn her life into a nightmare.

Daria's father dies and she is now heiress to a huge fortune. But before he dies, Ivanov tells his son-in-law about a terrible family secret, allowing him to blackmail his wife.

Daria is expecting a child and turns to the village healer for help. Instead of receiving money for her services, she asks for Daria's cross. Sergei is called to court.

Gleb's death raises a lot of questions. Saltykov's uncles do not believe it was an accident, and Daria inherits his large fortune. A battle for his riches ensues.

Daria realizes that as a widow who inherited a large fortune she will never be safe. Fortunately, she manages to protect herself by stealing Catherine's letter.

Many high ranking nobles look to court Daria for her wealth. Nastya is now Seryozha's babysitter. To cheer up the child, she introduces him to the noble Prince Tsitsianov.

Darya invites her enemies, the Saltykovs' uncles, to a big party. Among the guests is Princess Bogdanova. Daria learns that Sergei has become the Empress's favorite.

Terrible rumors about the baroness from Troitsky reach her neighbors. The local priest Stepan absolves Daria of her sins. Meanwhile, Seryozha and Nastya are moved to the outhouse.

Daria decides to marry off the serfs. The Hajduks refuse to listen and attack. Sergei is once again summoned by Catherine and appointed tutor to his own son.

The steward sees his drowned wife being taken out of the river in the morning. An investigator from Moscow arrives at Troitskoye.

Daria's feelings, in spite of everything, are still strong: she is ready to forgive Sergei. She persuades him to run away, take his son and go abroad.

Daria spirals further into insanity, and her attacks become more frequent and brutal. Nastya, who already knows how Gleb really died, protects Sergei from his mother.

The healer finally gains Daria's trust and sees Seryozha as a hindrance, putting the boy in danger. Daria calls on the faithful Ivan, but he too betrays her.

The Empress becomes aware of the events at Troitskoe. Daria is accused of murder and faces execution unless she gives back what belongs to the Tsarina - the letter she stole.