The Silk Lady

Nataleana Koroleva's name is shrouded in mystery, as the writer left behind no ordinary documents — only an astonishing autobiography and literary works she called "biographies." One such work is the novella "Without Roots," which recounts the lives of pupils at the Kyiv Institute for Noble Maidens. Its main character, a foreigner, keenly observes the world around her, noticing what remains hidden from others. This work is a true "exotic cocktail," combining elements of a bildungsroman, subtle psychological insight, Kyiv realities of the early 20th century, and nostalgia for youth. Koroleva seems to invite the reader to solve a riddle: how much truth is in this biography, and how much is legend?
The short story «The Silk Lady», however, transports us to the distant past, to grand halls blanketed in heavy snow, where sorrow reigns. At the heart of the plot is the enigmatic figure of a lady in a silk dress, who appears at key moments in the life of the main character, a prototype of Koroleva herself. This image combines elegance, mystery, and fear, manifesting not only through her appearance but also through the elusive nature of her being. The mystical figure of the Silk Lady constantly forces the protagonist to re-evaluate her own actions. Even with years passing, thoughts of the woman in the heavy black dress continue to haunt her, becoming an integral part of her memories.