Les Cœurs et la Couronne (The Hearts And The Crown)

Act 1: La Prophétie et la Tentation (The Prophecy and the Temptation)

• At a lavish masked ball in Paris, Les Trois Sibylles mysteriously appear and prophesy that Marquis Jean-Armand de Béthune will rise to great power — even to the throne — but that his reign will be brief and bloody.

• Jean-Armand and Marquise Éléonore share a private moment; she is intrigued and encourages him to seize the crown, despite the loyalty owed to Roi Lucien de Montrevaux.

• Meanwhile, Chevalier Félicien du Fèvre and Princesse Laetitia de Valmont express their hope for a just France, wary of Jean-Armand’s growing ambition.

• Baron François de Montreuil, wary of Jean-Armand’s intentions, warns him against disloyalty to the king.

Act 2: Le Complot et le Crime (The Conspiracy and the Crime)

• Jean-Armand and Éléonore plot the king’s assassination during a hunt in the forests near Mont-Saint-Michel.

• Despite moments of hesitation, Jean-Armand murders Roi Lucien under cover of night, and quickly assumes power, declaring himself Regent until the rightful heir, Prince Louis de Valmont, can be found.

• Baron François is suspicious and starts investigating.

• Chevalier Félicien mourns the king’s death and vows to restore justice.

• Princesse Laetitia uncovers clues about the king’s murder and secretly aids Félicien by passing messages and gathering information within the court.

Act 3: Le Fardeau de la Couronne (The Crown’s Burden)

• Jean-Armand struggles with paranoia and guilt, haunted by visions of the dead king and the ominous words of the Sibylles.

• Éléonore becomes increasingly ruthless, pushing Jean-Armand to eliminate rivals, including Baron François, who is mysteriously assassinated.

• Félicien rallies loyalists and secretly plans to bring back Prince Louis from exile in Clermont-Ferrand.

• Laetitia, torn between love for Félicien and the danger surrounding them, pledges to support the resistance.

Act 4: Le Jugement (The Reckoning)

• The kingdom grows restless under Jean-Armand’s oppressive rule; rumors spread of his guilt.

• Prince Louis returns to Paris with loyal forces, joining Félicien and Laetitia in an uprising.

• Éléonore, desperate to maintain control, manipulates Jean-Armand into deeper madness and tyranny.

• Jean-Armand confronts the Sibylles again, who remind him that the crown will be his only in blood and that the hearts he has broken will be his downfall.

Act 5: La Chute et la Rédemption (The Fall and Redemption)

• A fierce battle erupts in Paris between Jean-Armand’s forces and the loyalists led by Prince Louis and Félicien.

• Jean-Armand is mortally wounded; in his final moments, he expresses regret and reveals his love for Éléonore, who is arrested and condemned.

• Prince Louis ascends the throne, promising justice and mercy.

• Félicien and Laetitia, reunited and hopeful, look toward a future where hearts and crown are once again united in peace. 

Characters:

• Marquis Jean-Armand de Béthune – A nobleman and war hero, seduced by ambition.

• Marquise Éléonore de Béthune (Main Antagonist) – His intelligent and ruthless wife, eager to seize power.

• Roi Lucien de Montrevaux – The reigning monarch, whose trust in Jean-Armand proves fatal.

• Baron François de Montreuil – A fellow noble and former ally of Jean-Armand.

• Chevalier Félicien du Fèvre (Male Lead) – A patriot determined to restore justice. 

• Princesse Laetitia de Valmont (Female Lead) – Félicien's love interest. She is renowned not only for her striking beauty but also for her pure heart and grace. 

• Les Trois Sibylles – Mysterious fortune-tellers at a masked ball who prophesy Jean-Armand rise and fall.

• Prince Louis de Valmont, Dauphin of France – Laetitia's brother. The rightful heir, who flees and later returns to reclaim the throne.

Primary Setting: Paris, France 

Other Settings: Mont-Saint-Michel, France | Clermont-Ferrand, France 

Period: 18th century