At the old Copenhagen Castle, a strange drama is played out in the year 1699 - the last year of King Christian V's life. One winter day, the young Junker Friedrich von Kötschau comes from Hesse to Christian V's court. The old gloomy castle is filled with sadness, where the king's increasing weakness puts a damper on all the joy of life. Friedrich von Kötschau is a handsome young nobleman, and even His Majesty is delighted with his many cheerful inventions. In addition, he has a prescription for gold, and the king gives him permission to experiment in the castle cellar with the old palace pharmacist Paulus.