the novella introduces us to Edgar, a sensitive twelve-year-old boy who accompanies his mother on vacation. As they settle into a hotel in the scenic Semmering area, Edgar’s initial excitement quickly turns to despair as he senses an unspoken tension between his mother and the alluring Baron. The narrative vividly describes Edgar's perspective as he grapples with feelings of exclusion and jealousy, particularly as he witnesses the budding connection between his mother and the Baron. As Edgar observes their interactions, he becomes increasingly aware of the emotional undercurrents, leading him to seek out the truth behind this "burning secret" that threatens the innocence of his childhood. (This is an automatically generated summary.)