Audenberg (referred to as the King) has returned home to find his wife, Queen Teresa, confined to a ruined, abandoned palace by another ruler, who accuses her of blasphemy and treason. The King is outraged, defending Teresa's gentle nature and reminding the accuser of a promise made to her late father, a war hero. However, other witnesses swear they saw the Queen, seemingly possessed, attack the King with a blade, showing his wound as proof. The court now pressures the King to depose his wife according to the law, forcing him to choose between his love for Teresa and his duty to the kingdom.