On the day she comes of age, the last descendant of a famous family of magicians learns the secret of her origins from her great-grandmother Evelina. At the same time, both face a number of difficulties. Because the magical objects that have provided the family with a livelihood for centuries have begun to behave unpredictably, they will have to find some suitable work. But what can beings who are incapable of anything practical do? Will finding the lost princess be as big a coup as it might seem at first glance?
