TV-Series
Description
Nadja Campo das Maçãs is the protagonist of the story. She is a young girl of Franco-Austrian heritage who grew up at the Applefield Orphanage in early twentieth-century England, believing her parents were dead. Shortly before her thirteenth birthday, she receives a mysterious package containing a beautiful ball gown, a diary, and a letter revealing that her mother is alive. After a fire forces her to leave the orphanage, she joins a traveling street performance group known as the Dandelion Troupe, becoming their dancer as she sets out to find her mother.

Nadja is cheerful, optimistic, and warm-hearted, with an innate kindness that draws people to her. She is responsible for her age, often caring for the younger children at the orphanage, and she is always willing to lend a hand to those in need. However, her trusting nature and impulsiveness can lead her into trouble, as she is easily taken advantage of by those with ill intentions. Despite this, her perseverance and sincerity help her overcome many obstacles, and her ability to make friends wherever she goes proves invaluable on her journey.

Her primary motivation is to be reunited with her mother, a quest that drives her across Europe and even to Egypt. Along the way, she also hopes to understand her own identity and the truth about her family. As the central figure of the story, Nadja’s adventures are the lens through which the audience experiences the world of early twentieth-century Europe, encountering nobles, thieves, and a wide array of characters.

Nadja forms deep bonds with the members of the Dandelion Troupe. Sylvie, the troupe’s singer, becomes an older sister figure, offering guidance and emotional support. George, the strongman leader, treats her like family, and Anna, the mysterious grandmotherly seamstress and fortune teller, provides both practical help and cryptic insights. Nadja also develops close relationships with several young men, most notably the Harcourt twins, Francis and Keith. She initially becomes infatuated with Francis, the gentle nobleman she calls the Lord of the White Rose, but later grows confused about her feelings when she meets his twin brother Keith, who operates as the masked thief the Black Rose. Her heart is torn between them, and her eventual choice reflects her growth in understanding love and loyalty. Other key friendships include Kennosuke, a samurai boy from Japan; TJ, the mischievous younger brother of journalist Harvey; and Christian, an aspiring Egyptologist.

Throughout her journey, Nadja matures significantly. She learns that her true lineage ties her to the prestigious Preminger ducal family, making her the legitimate heir to a fortune. However, she rejects the life of a sheltered noblewoman, choosing instead to remain with the Dandelion Troupe and continue exploring the world. She also experiences betrayal—most painfully when her childhood friend Rosemary impersonates her to win their mother’s affection—yet she forgives and moves forward. Her emotional development is particularly evident in her handling of her romantic dilemmas; she ultimately realizes that she cannot simply choose between Francis and Keith, and she leaves that decision open as she continues her travels.

Nadja possesses remarkable talents. She is a natural dancer, capable of performing a variety of styles—from Tyrolean folk dances to flamenco—and she learns new routines quickly. Her singing is also a gift, and she often performs alongside her dancing. These abilities make her a valuable member of the troupe and allow her to connect with audiences everywhere. More importantly, her courage, compassion, and unwavering hope inspire others to change for the better, making her not just a performer but a genuine force for kindness wherever she goes.