Hilleborg always speaks negatively about her king's marriage to his left hand, Countess Danner. When it is rumored that King Frederik VII and Countess Danner are on their way to Hilleborg and her husband, Niels Parsberg's estate, Hilleborg refuses to be in the living room with the Countess. She switches roles with the housemaid, Lise Sørensen. Lise and Countess Danner quickly become good friends, while Hilleborg's situation worsens when the king decides to spend the night at the estate.