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In late nineteenth century Vienna, renowned illusionist Eisenheim is reunited with the Duchess von Teschen when she is volunteered from the audience to participate in an illusion during one of his performances. Despite having not seen each other in fifteen years when they were teenagers, they almost immediately recognize each other as Eduard Abramovich and Sophie von Teschen, they who had a doomed romance at that time due to their class differences. The Duchess is soon to be wed to the Count Prince Leopold in what would be for him a marriage solely in pursuit of power: overthrowing his father, the Emperor Leopold, as well as overtaking the Hungarian side of the empire. The Count Prince is known to use violence against women if it suits his needs or purposes. As such, the Duchess, who realizes that she still loves Eisenheim and he her, can never leave the Count Prince without it jeopardizing her life. After Eisenheim humiliates the Count Prince at a private show which results in an incident between the Count Prince and the Duchess, the battle between Eisenheim and the Count Prince moves into the public performance realm, which many believe demonstrates Eisenheim's supernatural powers. Much of the work for the Count Prince in the battle with Eisenheim is conducted by Chief Inspector Uhl, who would become the Chief of Police under the Count Prince's reign. As such, Uhl may have ulterior motives in turning a blind eye to any unlawful act of the Crown Prince against Eisenheim or the Duchess.