King Friedrich rules a kingdom bordering King Hildebrand's realm. Six years after Eliza's brothers were enchanted, he discovers the silent, disheveled princess during a forest hunt. Captivated, he commands his hunters to bring her to his court. Determined not to leave her isolated, he decides to marry her, relocating Eliza to his palace along with her unfinished nettle shirts and materials.

His reign coincides with a mysterious illness plaguing his lands. When the witch and Greta falsely accuse Eliza of witchcraft, exploiting the kingdom's crisis, Friedrich permits judicial proceedings despite his protective feelings. This leads to her witchcraft trial and death sentence after she is caught gathering nettles in a cemetery at night, interpreted as sorcery.

Friedrich witnesses Eliza's execution. He sees her brothers rescue her, watches their transformation upon donning the nettle shirts, and hears Eliza's first words confirming her innocence. This compels him to accept the truth about the witch and Greta's deception. After the princes explain, he orders the antagonists arrested. Honoring Eliza's plea for mercy, he later exiles them to the wilderness instead of execution.

His narrative concludes with marriage to Eliza, uniting the two kingdoms. He rules alongside Eliza, supported by her six brothers and her father, King Hildebrand.

A 1984 prequel, "Elisa's Beginning," establishes Friedrich's lifelong childhood friendship with Eliza in Hidenberg, preceding their later reunion.