The year is 1213, in the eastern Iranian city of Tus. Sitara, a young girl who has lost her mother and been torn far from her homeland, is taken in by Fatima, a kind-hearted lady from a family of scholars. At first, Sitara detests studying and tries to escape, but Fatima’s son Muhammad, an aspiring scholar himself, teaches her the true importance of learning, telling her: “If you study and become wise, no matter what trouble befalls you, you’ll know the best way forward.”

Eight years after Muhammad leaves on a journey, an army led by Tolui, the fourth prince of the Mongol Empire, invades the city of Tus where Sitara and everyone lives. Raiding their estate, Tolui plunders a treasured book from Fatima’s late husband’s collection, “Elements,” and burns the city to the ground. Plunged into the depths of despair as a captive of the Mongol army, Sitara is approached by Shira, a young boy working as an interpreter for the Mongols.

Motivated by a desire to move up in the world, Shira says he wants to introduce the learned Sitara to Tolui. Sitara learns why Fatima was murdered and why “Elements” was taken, and vows to recover the book that Fatima had cherished. This marks the beginning of her revenge towards the Mongol Empire, which stole everything from her. Granted an audience with Tolui, Sitara introduces herself as “Fatima.”

Sitara has become a tutor for Tolui’s wife, Sorghaghtani, in her study of “Elements”. Hiding away her intense hatred, she plays the role of an obedient confidante while biding her time. Several years pass and Sitara completely gains Sorghaghtani’s trust. Suddenly, the emperor Genghis Khan passes away. Amidst major shifts in the political structure, Sitara receives an unexpected order.

Having been given a secret order from Sorghaghtani, Sitara is tasked with investigating the movements of the Second Prince Chagatai, who has the potential to become a source of political conflict. With Shira’s help, she is able to make necessary arrangements. But just then, Sitara is accused of theft by Töregene, the sixth wife of Third Prince Ögedei, for possessing a “Jada Stone” that she came across, and is subjected to harsh interrogation.

Töregene confides in Sitara, who also carries a grudge against the Mongol Empire, and recounts her tragic past. She reveals that 25 years ago, she married the much older chieftain of the Merkit tribe, Dayir, and forged a bond with the tribe, including with Dayir’s daughter Khulan. But their peaceful days were short-lived; they were attacked by the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan, and Dayir was forced to make a difficult decision.

Sitara joins forces with Töregene and swears to call a storm of revenge upon the Mongol Empire. Meanwhile, Töregene uses her position as wife of the new Mongol Emperor (Great Khan) Ögedei to attend the council (Kurultai) to gather intelligence. After hearing of the new war plans from Töregene, Sitara plots to drive a wedge between Ögedei, who holds authority, and Tolui, who wields military might.

Having been recognized for her reading and writing skills, Sitara is tasked with helping the court scribes. Through the mediation of Ögedei’s fourth wife, Moge, Sitara is granted an audience with the First Empress (Great Katun), Boraqchin. Having seen the sickly Boraqchin, Sitara uses her knowledge to identify the cause and treatment of Boraqchin’s illness, successfully winning her favor. Beneath the surface, Sitara begins to advance her plan to secretly tear apart the Mongol Empire through internal division.

War breaks out between the Mongol Empire and the Jin Dynasty. Though surrounded and outnumbered by a 150,000-strong enemy force, Tolui leads an army of about 40,000 Mongol soldiers to a massive victory. Expanding its territory further, the Mongol Empire reaches the height of its prosperity. Amidst this, a change comes over Töregene. She starts avoiding Sitara and one night warns her, “Don’t come to my ger.” Sensing that something is wrong, Sitara secretly goes to investigate, but…

After a ritual is performed in hopes of curing the suddenly ill Ögedei, Tolui is struck by an unexpected tragedy, as though he has taken his brother’s place. As the empire’s military power, authority, and knowledge become concentrated within Ögedei’s clan, Sitara, determined to keep the promise she made, races to rescue Töregene, who has been driven into a corner by Boraqchin’s schemes.

Boraqchin’s past is revealed. Having once obtained a stone that could become either a medicine or a deadly poison depending on how it was used, she used her own body as a test subject to investigate its effects, determined to eliminate the threats to Ögedei. In the present, Sitara races to save Töregene, who has been driven into a corner by Boraqchin’s schemes. Along the way, she meets Güyük, the son of Töregene and Ögedei.

Moved by Sitara, Sorghaghtani refuses a proposed political marriage to Güyük. She skillfully outmaneuvers Boraqchin, whose plan was to gain complete control over Tolui’s clan through the marriage. Meanwhile, Sitara continues her search for Töregene and finally finds a crucial clue. At the very same time, Ögedei summons Sitara and proposes a certain wager.