The herbalist Apolena finds a laid-up newborn in a rye field and takes him with her. When Rye grows up, he will be served in the royal castle. He sees a lot of injustice there, when it is held by the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor, but he also knows the king's hiding place, Princess Adelka and falls in love with her. However, he is not alone, the king's right hand, Prince Neklan, the administrator of the country, also thinks of Adelka.