In a very big manor lives The Shadows, an outstanding family of nobles. Emiriko, a living doll, start serving there. Everything is a mystery here, let's follow the clumsy Emiriko's adventure as a servant.
Emilico is assigned to a cleaning squad with three other Dolls: Mia, Lou and Rosemary, discovering the existence of many other Dolls like herself that constantly work to keep the Shadows House clean and are explicitly instructed to "not fret over trivial matters".
Emilico has her first day of class with Rosemary and company until all hell breaks loose. Kate makes a surprising discovery with Emilico's help. The two vow to learn from one another, but little do they know of the plan being hatched behind closed doors.
Emilico and company have an unhappy encounter with a Star Bearer that leads to late-night watch duty. Kate frets over the approaching debut. Sides are taken, friendships are forged, and one of Shadow House's mysteries is solved.
Edward's labyrinth continues to confound the dolls as they race to save their masters. But will his plan unravel as they learn more about each other and find that working together has its advantages?
The debut continues as the dolls try to find their shadow masters. Will Lou and Ricky's unlikely partnership last much longer? Will Emilico and Rum survive the dreadful maze? And why has Edward planned such an elaborate debut in the first place?
The adult shadows continue watching the debut candidates navigate the garden labyrinth, but will Edward's plan work? Shaun and Ricky have another tense encounter, and the dolls try to rescue their masters. Who will survive, and who will be discarded?
Kate and Emilico's fate hangs in the balance as Edward's carefully staged debut heads into its grand finale. Shirley and Rum have a breakthrough, but is it too little, too late? Meanwhile, the third-floor shadows continue to question Edward's methods.
Kate desperately searches for a method to free Emilico from her soot sickness. Meanwhile, the origins of living dolls are revealed, and the elder Shadows visit a nearby village.
Emilico finds herself in a bind, and Kate and the other children hatch a plan to slip into Lord Grandfather's wing to save her. Edward desperately tries to find out what Kate is up to, and the children finally learn the reason behind his plan.
Kate searches for Emilico in Lord Grandfather's wing. John springs into action, and Kate gets some help from the other children and a strange new friend. As Edward's plan nears fruition, will the children of Shadows House be able to stop him?
