The golden age is being eaten alive by the modern one. . .

All the Daedkar princes adore the royal fitness trainer because he never points out their growing paunches. But no one knows the trainer is jealously spying on the imperial tea merchant, Lord Zidamel, who rose like a god before killing his own daughter.

One extraordinary day, the trainer is ordered to teach the emperor’s former hostage and most troubled grandson. Though his mind will dazzle scholars for centuries, Prince Adheen treats his body like the wine house’s latrine rag and the queen is determined he will lose weight. Meanwhile, the palace scandal hunters whisper horrific rumours about the man who is learning to hold a proper squat.

During the day, the trainer must teach a joyless prince to cherish his health. At night, he tries to learn why a devoted father beat his baby to death.

The kingdom’s most anxious trainer will solve both these mysteries before the dawn of the new year—even if it means being executed by the royal elephants for treason.