02x01 - Folge 1

[bunniefuu]

Sisi.

We are going to Ischl.

What am I supposed to do in Ischl?

You are even prettier than they say in Vienna.

Sissi will become The Empress of Austria.

Franz opposes everything I ever taught you.

It will not be easy for you in Vienna.

By Vienna, do you only mean the court
or do you also mean yourself?

I fear I also mean myself.

Did The Emperor take pleasure in your services?

Why do you care?

I am to be his wife.

And so I name you husband and wife.

And you, dear Elisabeth, Empress of Austria.

Your Majesty, The Emperor will receive you now.

You will teach me everything I need to know.

Your husband took his office when
Austria was in danger of breaking apart.

This is why I want you to meet someone.

A leader of the Hungarian rebels.

Gyula Andrássy. What do you want?

Peace

I met Count Andrássy.

And for this peace, I am looking for an ally.

You went too far.

It always brought me luck.

He wore an amulet.

I trusted you.

My daughter's name is Marie.

She lives in Starnberg.

Look after her.

You know how important an heir to the throne is.

You know what you must do.

Franz Joseph, as he lives and breathes.

There is a message from Vienna.
It is an heir to the throne.

Then our present was just finished in time.

Child of dishonor. Child of dishonor.

You child of dishonor.
Disappear from here.

Leave me.

Leave me alone.

Be careful.

Harder. Come one, punch her.

The little rat.

Come on, show it to her.

That's unbelieveable. Did you see that?

Do you want some too?

Thank you very much for your visit.

God bless you and the imperial family.

With all due respect, Highness, there have been
issues at the convent school again.

What happened this time?

Marie. We said that you are not...

And you promised me
we would go riding when you visit me.

I told you it is not that easy...

Why not? You are The Empress.

I want to come to court with you.

To Vienna?

You are better off here, believe me.

The others say I'm no countess.
Is this why you aren't taking me with you?

No.

Then why?

The court...

...is like a too tightly laced corset.

It takes the air to breathe.
And before you...

You promised it to my mother.

I would rather be put into a corset
than stay here for another day.

You will live close to us.

Just like your mother once did.

Mummy, mummy.

Hello, my little one.

This is Marie.

And this is my daughter Gisela.

Countess of...
- I know who this is.

Well, how is the little crown prince?

He is fine.

From now on, Marie will live with us.

What does my son say to that?

I would like to tell him myself.

The similarity is uncanny.

Hopefully not in all aspects.

His Majesty Franz Joseph I.

By God's grace, Emperor of Austria.

Head of the German Confederation.

I extend a warm welcome to all participants in Vienna.

Last year, together we were able to
provide safety and stability in Europe.

Hereby, I open the meeting
of the German Confederation.

First, I would like to...

Sit!

Welcome, Mister von Bismarck.

Please excuse me being late, Your Majesty.

The journey from Berlin to Vienna is long.

You are right about that, Your Majesty.

Please continue.

I have not begun yet.

Oh good.

Then I will allow myself to use the opportunity to
bring you personally in the name of Prussia

my most sincere congratulations for
the birth of the young crown prince.

I hope he and your wife are in the best of health.

Thank you very much.
They are perfectly fine.

Is it already the time for you
to erect a memorial in my honor?

Or how else may I interpret your present?

Austria rendered an outstanding service to
the leadership of the German Confederation

but it is time to resign from that position.

Prussia wants the leadership
of the German Confederation.

Everyone knows you will not withstand a w*r for long.

Put together an overview of our weapons,
our ammunition and whatever is left in your treasury.

Franz, there must be another option.

Bismarck wants to use our weaknesses.

I must confront him with
a powerful army to prevent a w*r.

What are your intentions?

Under the given circumstance, it seems like
I have no choice than to beg Napoleon for a few Franc.

A lot of Franc.

Until recently, he was your enemy.

If I borrow the money from him to arm against Bismarck,
he will not stab me in the back if it comes to a w*r after all.

Because he will only get his money back if you win.

He will side with Bismarck if you show him weakness.

It is the only option.

Sisi, don't you want to rest for longer?

You worked long.

Is everything alright?

Yes, don't worry.

I must tell you something.
I brought Marie to court.

Her mother was ex*cuted.

By us.

Marie is not her mother.

She will never know.

You know what you are doing.

Thank you.

You were lashing out.

What were you dreaming about?

Only a nightmare.

It's alright.

What is it?

I will travel to Biarritz for a few days
to ask Napoleon for a loan.

For what?

Bismarck wants to push Austria out
of the German Confederation.

He will let it come to a w*r.

I think closing the ranks with Napoleon
is the only chance to prevent this w*r.

Then I will accompany you.

I want you to take some more time and rest.

It won't look good if you arrive alone.

Napoleon care a lot about the opinion of his wife.

As we know.

Music.

Look. Here.

Franz gave him to me for our engagement.

He likes being talked to.

You just shouldn't tell him secrets.

He could tell them.

Isn't the cage way too small for him?

He doesn't know it any other way.

But he's a bird.

Your mother entrusted me with this for you.

I waited until you could read it yourself.
You can do that now.

She taught herself to read and write.

She was a very impressive woman.

I see the same in you.

This was also hers.

It's yours.

I have to travel for a few days
and have to leave you alone.

Would you talk to him during that time for me?

See you very soon, Marie.

During our last great journey, we lost her.

I'm glad you accompany me despite that.

Come, the carriage is already waiting.

Don't worry.

She raised a boy before.

[in French]
I did not think they would really come.

Next time, we should forgo an invitation.

So you try to win The Empress for us.

And you convince Napoleon.

I am happy to see you again, Majesty.

[with a French accent]
It is an honor to me to welcome you among my friends.

Your friends?

Excuse me, Majesty.

The French like to stay among themselves.

Count Andrássy.

You look gorgeous.

May I keep you company for a moment?

As you can see, I am currently very busy.

Why are you here in Biarritz?

A few years ago, I had the joy of being sentenced to death
by your husband. I looked around here a bit back then.

Then I would say
you made the best out of it.

And it seems the French ladies
are also excited about your return.

Oh, may I?

And you too swapped Vienna for the Atlantic?

My husband and I want to strengthen
the band of a frail friendship.

With Napoleon? Why?

Better tell me how to.

[in French]
A gift by Mademoiselle Valérie, Marquise de
Baume-Clément, for Empress Eugénie!

Thank you.
- Surprise.

If you ask someone for a favor, you make
them your friend faster than doing them one.

Make her privy to you.
Disclose something of yours.

Stop.

Marie...

From the outside to the inside.

Hors d'oeuvre chaud, potage, poisson,
grosse pièce, entremets de douceur.

Did you know my mother?

Barely.

Do you know how she died?

One does not talk about such things at the table.

She was ill. I do not know more.

Votre Majesté?

May I ask you for something?

I long for some...privacy with my husband tonight.

What do you mean?

The entire staff is basically staying in the same room

and even at home, we rarely at a
few quite hours alone with one another.

You want me to give you another room?

I will see what I can do for you.

Si vous voulez m'excuser.

François-Joseph, you had already declined my invitation. What changed your mind?

There is something that keeps me up at night, Majesty.

Is it about a woman? Une Francaise?

Unfortunately not.

To speak plainly, Majesty,
it is Prussia that worries me.

Otto von Bismarck urges me to a w*r.

And what do you want from me then?

I fear the only option to fight him is
to confront him with a powerful army.

To ask your former wartime enemy for help. Chapeau.

If I am being honest, mon cher François-Joseph, Bismarck just departed.

He asked me for neutrality in your matter.

What did he promise your for that?

I do not need a promise

to choose my friends.

What happened?

Bismarck just visited Napoleon.
We are too late.

How did Napoleon react?

He didn't tell me.

This means we still have a chance.

Franz, you must keep a cool head.

Who knows to whom else Bismarck talked to.

Everything's going to be alright.

You are not alone here.

Votre Majesté?

May I persuade you to take a photo together?

Europe's most beautiful
empresses on a chaise lounge?

This picture could one day be worth more than this entire castle. Don't you agree?

Ne bougez pas.

Hello.

How do you do this?

You even cast a spell over the puppy.

We must do everything to convince him after all.

That will be a big piece of work.

Franz, just a moment.

I will wait for you there.

There?

I asked Eugénie for a room
where we will not be disturbed.

If you ask someone for a favor, you make them
your friend faster than when you do them one.

This is a proof of friendship.

She even told me she also wishes for an
undisturbed night with just the two of them again.

I can't wait.

Get him.

L'Hombre. The Emperor plays solo in Couleur.

Oh what an exquisite guest.
L'Empereur d'Autriche.

Sit.

The next round L'Hombre is still open.

They say Napoleon does not like to lose.

Me neither.

You have the spadille/ace of spades.

The matter with Bismarck must truly give you sleepless nights if you are playing such a bad card with your deck.

I was told you do not like to lose.

And what else are they saying about me?

En Autriche?

That you revolted yourself into office with
a swollen chest like a frog who thinks it is an ox.

That you are so madly in love with your wife like a lap dog.

And that you are having difficulties with decisions.

Yeah that is really good.

For a long time, no one has had
the guts to confront me this openly.

Really magnificent. Now that you are here
to celebrate, let us celebrate for real.

It was a pleasure to me to play cards with you, Majesty.

Mon dieu, don't be a killjoy.

I still have a date with my wife.

Really?

Good night, Majesty.

I hope you will choose peace.

Slowly, slowly. Let me help you.

No. Don't. Nothing happened. Nothing happened.

Well, you are pretty out of breath for that.

Here.

Take that.

Thanks. It is alright.

It is alright.

What are you doing out here at
this time of day, Count Andrássy?

I actually planned to take a swim but I think
I rather pass on that, or what do you think?

Sure? You are going to catch death.

It would be worse if The Emperor
saw me in the jacket of a different man.

Where is The Empress?
- She went for a ride, Highness.

Good morning.

You were awake early.

I was at the beach.

Napoleon deliberately ignored me.

But I have a little thank you for Eugénie.

[in French]
A present from Her Majesty Elisabeth, Empress of Austria!

I think I just destroyed everything.

Please wait.

My husband told me you are here to finance a w*r.

I...I...

You are right.

We are here to ask you for help...
- In Laxenburg, we prevented a w*r together.

I want to do the same now.

And I...I thought you were interested
in a...a sincere friendship.

Please excuse me now.

We are empresses. I believe something
like friendship does not exist for us.

So you also never had a true friend before?

I...

Forgive me.

Please stay.

Stay always honest and pious, beloved child.
Your mother.

I fear the mission was a failure.

François-Joseph.

My wife recommended me
to introduce someone to you.

Baron de la Font-Chatteuille.
The president of Banque nationale de Paris.

Majesty.

You are still interested in a loan?

Majesté? Vous êtes perdue?

Have you seen my husband?

I think the gentlemen have something to discuss.

[with French accent]
It was an honor for me, Majesty.

But promise me one thing.

I will be as silent as a grave about our agreement.

If you allow the advice of an old statesman,

it is rarely the stabs of your enemies
that hit you at your most vulnerable points.

Bismarck also talked to your Hungarian friend.

Count Andrássy.

Majesty.

What a joy to see you again
in these surprising circumstances.

A successful feat is worth every travel.

Is it? I heard your journey here
had an entirely different reason.

You too met with Bismarck, didn't you?

Do you believe I will not keep my promises?

May I?

What happened?

We got the loan.

That is good, isn't it?

I wish we could dance this giddily every night.

Someone has to find out on which side Andrássy is on.

Andrássy?

He saved the Hungarians' lives.

Napoleon said that Bismarck also talked to Andrássy.

He even believes our friend was only here because of it.

Then talk to him.

I did.

But I doubt he told me the truth.

If the Hungarians are on Prussia's side, we lose.

I fear if he tells someone the truth, then...then it's you.

You want me to talk to him?

What is it?

Andrássy has already departed.

But then I would have to go to Hungary.

Yes.

You would have to.

Why are you hesitating?

I fear you wouldn't want to come back again.