Flavia marries King Rudolf because she feels that she has a duty and responsibility to her king and the people of Ruritania. Despite Rassendyll telling her that he will “always love only her” and begging her to leave for England with him, she declines, because she is too honorable to neglect her duty to Ruritania and the king. After King Rudolf gets drunk on coronation day, Rassendyll, his lookalike, takes up his role and is crowned king with the intention of relinquishing power to Rudolf upon waking up. However, that is not the case: Rudolf is seized by Black Michael, forcing Rassendyll to continue acting as the king until the Rudolf is rescued. It is during this period that he meets Flavia and they fall in love. Flavia is engaged to King Rudolf, but all along, she does not realize that Rassendyll is not King Rudolf, because their resemblance is so strong. Once Rudolf is rescued and she is told the truth, Flavia realizes that she still loves Rassendyll. However, she chooses not to leave with him to England and instead marries King Rudolf, as she feels obliged to fulfill her duty to her king and the people of Ruritania.