Chetal is a thief in the streets of Hampi. The nights her catch is big enough are the nights her handler allows her to eat. The nights without a catch consist of whips and beatings. Unbeknownst to her, this night, something is afoot in the Emperor's palace, far away from the grimy streets she lives in. The Emperor has been murdered, as has been his entire family, including his only heir- a daughter. Chetal returns to her handler empty-handed, and finds a stranger waiting for her. A stranger with a wild plan- to make her the Empress of the Vijaynagara Empire. All she has to do is pretend to be the Emperor's dead daughter.