The Empress (2022) s02e01 Episode Script

1
[footsteps crunching in grass]
[suspenseful music playing]
1856- AT THE GATES OF VIENNA
[indistinct chattering]
- [bell tolling]
- [dog barking]
[breathing shakily]
[music builds]
Good morning.
[coins clinking]
[exhales]
[delegate 1 in Italian] Oh no.
How could this have happened?
[delegate 2] Did you check the carriage?
[coachman] Of course.
I checked it this morning before leaving.
- My love.
- [dog whimpering]
[horse whinnies]
[delegate 1] Where is Adolfo?
- How could this happen?
- [delegate 2] There he is!
- [delegate 3] I don't get it either.
- Please get back in the carriage.
[delegate 1] Where have you been
all this time, Adolfo?
He looks pale. Do you feel unwell perhaps?
I think he's sick with excitement
about seeing the pretty Empress.
- [both laughing]
- [coachman] Let's go!
- We can carry on, Your Highness.
- [barking]
Finally. Let's go.
- Should I put it with the other gifts?
- No.
- [man] Our Empress awaits us!
- [coachman] Let's go!
- Close the door!
- [horses whinnying]
[coachman speaking indistinctly]
[theme music playing]
THE EMPRESS
[theme music fades]
- [paper rustling]
- [water splashing]
[Elisabeth in English] Here.
[in Ruthenian] A warm welcome to you.
A warm welcome to you.
[in Bohemian] Good day.
How nice to see you again.
[in English] How nice to see you again.
[door opens]
Where's the Hungarian?
[floor creaks]
[in Hungarian] Good day.
Good day
[whimsical music playing]
[in English] All I need now is Italian.
[in Italian] Good day.
- [music stops]
- [Fienchen] Mm.
[in English] I see you, Fienchen.
[music resumes]
[both laugh]
There'll be many guests today, little one.
- [Elisabeth gasps]
- [Fienchen] Is the baby well?
[Elisabeth] Mm-hm.
Yes, and very shortly,
you'll be a big sister.
Will I have a sister or a brother?
I do not know.
Which would you like?
The Lord will send us the ruler who will
save us from the darkness, Your Highness.
He alone decides.
Not you, nor I. He alone.
[Sophie] I've always loathed
waiting for men.
For centuries,
it's been a man on the throne, Sophie,
who is chosen by God.
The woman gives life,
and the man rules over it.
With no heir to the throne, we'll be gone.
Napoleon's had a son, Cardinal.
We must now show the whole world
that the Habsburgs have a future.
We have to restore faith in the empire.
And you have to restore your own
personal faith again, Your Highness.
[dramatic music playing]
[bright music playing]
[horse whinnies]
[Charlotte]
It is an important day, ladies.
Foreign delegates are coming
to see the Empress.
Relationships with her subjects
are Her Majesty's highest priority.
We only have a few more hours
to prepare Elisabeth.
Elisabeth? Can I say that?
Is that really what I call her?
Some general rules.
Firstly, we are immaculate,
but we are never wanton.
Décolleté here, not here.
Secondly, I preside
over the Empress's court.
I am the only one allowed
to see her alone.
Never let anyone see the Empress
without my permission. I mean it.
Yes, Countess.
- Thirdly, decide why you are here.
- Decide?
There are certain ladies
only here to go to balls
and find a rich husband.
Yes, I mean you, Josephina.
I was like that at first too,
but I know better now.
Serving the Empress
is the main purpose of my life.
Countess.
[Charlotte] You have to be willing
to do anything, or you will not last long.
Which doesn't mean to say that
you can't have a bit of fun on the side.
No. Uh
- Pardon me, Countess?
- Pauline.
I don't think that we'll have a problem.
My court, my rules.
[sighs]
- [Elisabeth] Mm. Mm-mm.
- [Fienchen giggling]
- You little rascal.
- [both laughing]
[footsteps approaching]
- Your Majesty.
- [Fienchen] Oh!
[Fienchen laughing]
I do beg your pardon. [sighs]
The Princess got away from me.
She can always come to see me
if she wants to. Always.
Princess Sophie,
it is time for you to have your breakfast.
- She can have her breakfast here.
- [Fienchen] Yes.
- That will interfere with the schedule.
- [knocking on door]
- [footsteps approaching]
- [Charlotte] Your Majesty?
- The midwife is here.
- [door closes]
Will you notify the Emperor?
Highness.
- [door closes]
- [Elisabeth sighs]
[Theo] The delegations
from distant Bukovina and Dalmatia
have also confirmed their attendance.
[Franz] The Hungarians have confirmed?
Aye, Your Majesty.
And they're looking forward to it.
We both know for whom they have all
embarked on this long journey, do we not?
They're not coming for me.
And for me neither.
[chuckles]
[bell rings]
Your Majesty,
the Empress wishes to see you.
I am on my way.
[spoons clinking]
[midwife inhales]
I hear a strong heartbeat.
In three to four weeks, it'll be time.
[murmuring]
And now the most crucial question.
Shall we?
- [rubbing hands]
- Do you all want to know?
[door opens]
[maid] His Majesty The Emperor.
[all] Your Majesty.
I wanted you right by me.
[door closes]
Please continue.
[clearing throats]
You can really tell for certain?
Midwife Pfudel
has brought 2,000 children into the world,
including 30 kings, earls and dukes, and
a pope.
She has never been wrong.
Where I'm from, we used to say
that if the mother's glowing,
rosy cheeks, shiny hair,
then she will have a son.
But if she's pale,
with hair colourless and dry,
then she'll have a daughter.
For girls drain their mother's beauty.
[scoffs] That's a peasant's tale.
- It's the rate of the heartbeat
- [Charlotte clears throat]
and the shape of the belly.
You see?
[gasps]
What is it?
[midwife] You're carrying
the heir to the throne.
Do not doubt me. I feel it.
[tender music playing]
She is never wrong?
Never.
[both laughing]
- Mm.
- Are you ready to greet your guests?
[in Italian] How lovely to see you again.
The pleasure is all mine.
[Elisabeth laughs]
[in English] You see?
It's nice in another tongue.
I do not behave with such abandon.
[both laughing]
[Elisabeth] Mm.
[Elisabeth inhales, exhales]
[groaning]
Ooh.
Are you all right?
Oh. He kicked me.
[Elisabeth exhales]
My son,
behave in there, you hear?
[Elisabeth inhales]
In a few weeks, when you're born,
we will speak man-to-man.
Now give your mother some peace.
- [Elisabeth laughing]
- [carriage rattling]
[horse whinnies]
[coachman] Whoa.
[indistinct chattering]
[dramatic music playing]
[horse whinnies]
[indistinct chattering]
[dog barking]
[delegate in Italian] Let's go.
[indistinct chattering]
[delegate] Ado, let's go.
[indistinct chattering]
[grandiose music playing]
[von Bach] My secretary
needs to review these
before the cabinet meeting
tomorrow morning.
- [valet] Certainly.
- [von Bach] Thank you.
[door closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[floor creaking]
[sighs]
He's gone now.
[von Bach chuckles]
You should really try and keep
your wardrobe clean. You've lots of moths.
[both moaning]
[von Bach inhales deeply, moans]
I'm so tired
of keeping you hidden, my love.
Even though it's awfully nice.
Well, you should know me
well enough by now
to know that I am not made
for this kind of illicit behav
My love, for one who fought
in the revolution,
you are so overly sensitive.
The revolution was nothing
compared to being with you.
[Leontine chuckles]
And also, you know,
I was not involved in the street fighting.
I was engaged in the discourse
regarding questions of jurisprudence
in my reading club
- [moans]
- [von Bach] Mm-hm.
But you're still trying
to improve the empire, aren't you?
From behind your desk.
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
From behind.
- [Leontine chuckling]
- [clattering]
- [knocking on door]
- No! Not yet!
[von Bach groans]
Nothing will break our love.
[knocking on door]
[valet] Excuse me, Minister.
The Empress is looking
for the Countess Apafi.
- Except her.
- How do they know that I'm here?
- I will let her know.
- No, no, no. Shh!
- [valet] Yes, Minister.
- [Leontine exhales sharply]
Everyone knows that you're here.
Even the chambermaids wonder
why we're not official.
[groans] Leontine, that was a joke.
Wait. It is only my valet who knows.
- No, please stay.
- [door opens]
- Your Majesty.
- [Theo] Your Imperial Highness.
I have heard the good news.
I would like to show you something.
My baptism gift.
I remember the first time
I saw you in this uniform.
It is not the uniform
that will make him govern well.
No. It's the grace of God.
I trust I will rise to the occasion.
You are still young.
We will have to wait till the child's
born healthy and is walking.
Where were we, Theo?
[indistinct chattering]
[woman 1] You've been watching
his every move.
[woman 2 whispers] Look who's coming.
Uh, where are you going? I am sorry.
To see the Empress, of course.
No one may go in. [exhales]
She sent for me, girl.
Mm?
Or do you wish
to forbid the Empress to receive me?
[Pauline] No.
What is your name?
Well, that is a good question.
Who are you, really?
No one actually knows, do they?
Well, my name is Pauline von Bellegarde.
It's my first day.
It's a pleasure, Pauline.
My name's Leontine von Apafi.
You only see the Empress
on Tuesdays if I allow it.
- She wants me here.
- So what?
Charlotte, please let me in
to see the Empress.
You know it's such
an important day for her.
[gulps, inhales]
Just this one time.
And only because I say so.
[door opens]
[Leontine] Struggling with Hungarian?
[Elisabeth] Ah, Leontine.
- There you are at last.
- [Leontine chuckles]
The midwife told me the good news.
She told me that you're expecting a boy.
I just hope she's right.
What if it's a girl again?
[inhales] Then we'll raise
a group of bright little women.
[both laughing]
If I do have a son, then we will travel.
I hope to do and see so much
in the empire.
- I know you do.
- [clattering]
[nurse] I told you not to run off.
I do apologise, Your Imperial Highness.
Look what you've done, Princess Sophie.
That was a gift
from the Pope to Maria Theresia.
You must learn to behave.
- Please forgive me, Your Highness.
- [Elisabeth] Fienchen?
- [Fienchen] Mama.
- What has happened?
Have you hurt yourself?
[Fienchen whimpers]
All is well, my darling.
It was just a vase.
[Fienchen] I just wanted to play, Mama.
The Princess decided
to run off again, Your Majesty.
This is Fienchen's house, not her cage.
She is allowed to explore freely.
I am of the same mind, Elisabeth.
I will make sure
that we find a new occupation for you.
[breathing shakily]
So you heard Her Majesty?
You can go.
How do you feel, Elisabeth?
Very well, thank you.
I'm aware that the reception tonight
was your idea,
but might it all be
a little too much for you?
I'm anxious about your son.
I must speak to the people in our realm.
I am their Empress.
I wish to hear them.
[Sophie] Once she's given birth
to the boy, I will take over.
[Margarete] Of course,
Your Imperial Highness.
I will mould our heir.
Then she can travel
and listen to the people as she pleases.
The further away, the better.
What do we do if she has another daughter?
The Lord will not disappoint me again.
I do actually wonder
if it's God's will to decide everything.
- Do you not?
- Have you any better ideas, then?
No, Your Imperial Highness.
Well, then.
[classical music playing]
[indistinct chattering]
Ugh, all these languages
make my head hurt, my dear.
Do you see there?
The delegation from Dalmatia.
They say that region
boasts the most handsome men.
[Sophie] I would need a man
who satisfies my intellect.
No such man exists.
Your Imperial Highness.
But look at that.
He is a fine figure of a man.
[Buol] Your Imperial Highness.
May I introduce my three daughters,
Josephine, Alexandrine, and Wilhelmine.
Good.
[Sophie] Oh my God.
Dear Countess, you look enchanting.
This new role suits you very well.
[indistinct chattering]
Yeah. Go on.
- How pathetic.
- [Margarete] Yes.
Three daughters truly are a burden,
especially those three.
A greater burden
is how he lusts after you like that.
[Buol] Impressive celebration, Bach.
Are you demonstrating
the unity of the empire?
I believe our Emperor's
popularity's growing.
Mm. Is that a result of your hard work?
Or is it the Empress they adore instead?
[Grünne] You're confusing me.
- Aren't you Her Highness, von Bach?
- [Buol laughing]
[Grünne] Mm? [laughing]
- [bell ringing]
- [staff banging]
His Majesty the Emperor.
Her Majesty the Empress.
[grandiose music playing]
Your Majesties and honoured guests,
representatives from all hereditary lands
and Crown lands from across the empire
have travelled here to pay their respects
to His Majesty the Emperor
and Her Majesty the Empress.
I hereby invite the Bohemian Prince
to now come forward.
[in Bohemian] Good day.
Welcome to Vienna.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
[in English] May God protect you,
Your Highness.
[choral singing]
[MC] The Crown land of Bukovina.
[choir singing in Ruthenian]
The delegation
from the Crown land of Dalmatia.
[lively music playing]
[in Slovenian] Thank you.
[staff bangs]
[MC in English] The delegation
from the hereditary land of Hungary.
Hungarian men? That could be interesting.
They're not here at my request,
I assure you.
- [aristocrat] It is my great honour.
- [Franz] Thank you.
[in Hungarian] Welcome to Vienna.
[in English] You speak our language?
Yes, sir. It's most important to me.
Disgusting.
[MC] The delegation from
the hereditary land of Lombardy-Venetia,
Count Giuseppe Marino.
[music continues]
It is a great honour, Your Majesties.
We come here from Milan,
and I bring you the best wine
from our vineyards.
- [in Italian] Come.
- [Elisabeth] Thank you so much.
[Marino] You're welcome.
[tense music playing]
- [Elisabeth gasps]
- [box thuds]
[in English] Italians will not
be silenced! You have to set us free!
- Highness, you have to help!
- Don't touch her!
[Adolfo panting]
[in Italian] Freedom for Italy!
Down with Austrian terror!
- [woman screams]
- [in English] Freedom for Italy!
[Adolfo grunts]
[in Italian] Hear us out, Empress!
The Lombards are oppressed!
You must help us! Your Majesty!
- [guard in English] Out with him now!
- [Adolfo] Empress, help us!
[guests clamouring]
- [gunshot]
- [guests screaming]
[Franz] Elisabeth, no!
[guard] Stay back!
[indistinct chattering]
[Franz] Elisabeth, stop!
Stop the Empress!
[Elisabeth gasps]
[sombre music playing]
[breathing shakily]
[Franz] Elisabeth!
Get away from there.
How could this happen? Get rid of him.
[guests murmuring]
[woman gasps]
[lady-in-waiting] One of the guards said
he was a Lombardian rebel.
Oh, but why are they rebelling
in Lombardy?
Do you think that
he meant to do harm to the Empress?
- Stop muttering, you hear?
- What?
[Charlotte] The Empress needs us now.
She'll be here any moment.
Fetch some fresh clothes.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty
- I want to see my daughter.
- [maid] That's blood.
[Charlotte] Do not stand there
like a swan, Pauline.
Get the Empress a cup of tea.
Where's Fienchen?
[Charlotte] She has been taken to safety,
Your Majesty.
[Leontine] Elisabeth?
[Charlotte] Shh. Please leave at once.
[Elisabeth] Leontine?
[Elisabeth gasps]
Can you find out if he's still alive,
that man from Lombardy?
Who was he?
[von Bach] Adolfo Tadini
had been your secretary for a year.
SÌ.
You want us to believe
you knew nothing of his political views?
I swear on my life.
Your Majesty, I knew not of this.
I swear I did not.
- I beg you, please believe me.
- Stand up, will you?
Please escort the Count out.
- Question him tomorrow morning.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
[in Italian] But I didn't know.
I didn't know anything.
[door closes]
[in English] He delivered
a cut-out tongue.
What does it mean?
It means people in that part of the realm
want to say something but are forbidden.
What's occurring
in Lombardy-Venetia, von Bach?
The calls for political autonomy
and release from Habsburg rule
and occupation
have never ceased entirely
since the revolution.
But in recent years,
there has been no evidence
of an organised independence movement.
That man acted alone, Your Majesty.
I am certain of it.
Nevertheless,
I will increase our military presence
in the Lombardy region
with immediate effect, Highness.
That will suffice.
[Buol] Sadly, it is not that simple.
Majesty, see this. [clicks fingers]
Our immediate neighbour,
the Kingdom of Piedmont,
has long desired to unite
all Italian-speaking regions,
Sicily, Modena, Parma, Tuscany,
and so on, into one nation,
thus ending their allegiance to us
once and for all.
And also,
it would include Lombardy-Venetia.
[Grünne scoffs] Have you ever heard
such a notion?
What will they call this nation?
Italy.
[Grünne] The Lombards have been
part of Austria for over 150 years.
They are loyal to the realm.
Are they though?
[Buol] Piedmont's Prime Minister,
the Count of Cavour,
spoke out in Paris
at the peace conference,
loudly railing against Habsburg.
He declared that Lombardy
should be freed from the rule of Austria.
And why am I hearing of this only today?
Our attention was on the peace
negotiations with St Petersburg.
The rest was secondary.
Today's incident shows that
you have misjudged this time.
The Lombardy region is part of the realm,
and is still your responsibility, Bach.
Yet Piedmont is not.
[Franz] Gentlemen.
How did the other major powers
react to Piedmont's demands?
[sighs] Since the Crimean War,
our standing is not good.
And France is very hostile,
the British Empire as well.
That is an outrage,
because we sent 300,000 Austrian men
to hold back the Russians.
And yet we avoided the battlefield.
Victory over Russia is thus credited
to Emperor Napoleon alone.
The opinion of him in Paris
was a man who does not fear war.
I do not fear war either.
But it is peace I prefer.
We must engage Napoleon in conversation.
It would be good to have him on our side.
Emperor Napoleon
will not speak to an Austrian diplomat.
"Emperor Napoleon", it sounds absurd.
Because an Emperor is born.
One does not proclaim oneself as such.
Napoleon cares not
for the old rules of politics.
We must show him his value to us.
We will flatter him with a royal visit.
[Buol] Your Majesty,
you cannot go to Paris yourself.
No, of course not.
[intriguing music playing]
TRIESTE
AUSTRIAN PROVINCE
[Maximilian] Your Majesty,
dearest brother
[peacock calling]
this is my 85th letter.
[peacock clucking]
But who counts such things?
- [man] Shoo.
- [peacock calling]
I just read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
It is about a scientist
who creates a human in his own image.
But then Frankenstein rejects his creature
because he fears it.
[retching]
Then the monster
only does terrible things.
[retching]
Allow me to quote the monster.
[coughing, retching]
"I am evil
because I am unhappy."
[panting]
[Ivan] Imperial Highness.
- [inhales]
- [peacock calling]
I am sick on my birthday every year.
Shall I ask your guests to excuse you?
[chuckles]
Out with the old and in with the new.
[in Slovenian] Cheers.
[violin playing]
[in German] For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow ♪
[woman laughing]
Which nobody can deny ♪
[smattering of applause]
[Maximilian in English]
I thank you all. [chuckles]
- Thank you, Ivan.
- [woman] Ah, make a wish, Your Highness.
[woman chuckling]
I wish for good health.
[woman] Mm. Mm.
Outstanding friendships.
- [woman laughs] Sì.
- [Maximilian laughs]
- And a vat of wine that doesn't run dry.
- [woman laughs]
And a palace a lot larger
than this one here.
[woman guffawing]
[woman gasping, sighs]
And then I wish for
[waves rushing]
a huge wave from the sea to come
to swallow everything.
Me, first of all.
[waves rushing]
[clock ticking]
[opens decanter]
[footsteps approaching]
[Sophie] Did you congratulate him
on his birthday? Your brother?
I have more pressing matters to attend to.
He's suffered enough.
It was high treason.
You get hanged for that.
Well, you know that
I would have prevented him.
He wouldn't have got away with it.
It's really not about
if he succeeded or not.
He attempted to.
I'm going to bed.
Forgiveness is not a feeling, Franz.
It's a decision.
[melancholy music playing]
[waves rushing]
[music builds]
[breathing heavily]
[Ivan] Your Imperial Highness!
- Your Imperial Highness! Here.
- Leave me.
Leave me be.
I'm even too cowardly for that.
Alexander?
Did you see the Empress?
She'd like to know
how the young man is doing.
He died of his injuries.
[von Bach strikes match]
Can you tell me
what else you know about him?
[inhales, exhales]
Sometimes, I feel like you're using me.
Her Highness bade me come to you.
I want this to stop.
These secret trysts, they're not right.
That sounds like the Catholic in you.
Do you think you'll go to hell
because of me?
Please marry me.
I want to show the whole world
that we belong together.
Leontine,
it's time to meet your family at last.
I'll think about it.
But what is stopping you from agreeing?
[door opens, closes]
[breathing shakily]
[disturbing music playing]
[Leontine] You have my dress.
[Amalia] No, it's not yours.
What happened to the real Countess Apafi?
[breathing heavily]
You are vile scum.
[screams]
[Leontine breathing heavily]
[sighs]
[gasps]
[breathes shakily]
[Elisabeth] Sleep, my darling.
Close your eyes now.
[footsteps approaching]
The good Lord is in the light
And in the darkness
In everything there is
He is in our kiss, my love
[Fienchen yawns, sighs]
Sleep tight.
I'm really sorry
about what happened today.
- Why did we shoot that soldier?
- We had no other option.
He was trying to flee.
He did not have a weapon
on him though, did he?
He threatened us.
And I was scared for you.
He meant me no harm. I know that, Franz.
He was not fleeing,
he was desperate. Can't you see it?
Yes, and desperation leads to hate.
And then this can happen.
[Franz inhales]
And what if he had hurt you?
Us?
He didn't mean to.
What you said to Fienchen just then
what was that?
A verse I like.
Heinrich Heine?
I know he's still forbidden here.
Don't be angry.
My father sent it to me.
Who else?
[inhales, groans]
- [Elisabeth groans]
- Is he kicking again?
[exhales]
Elisabeth?
[Elisabeth groaning]
[breathing heavily]
The midwives!
The Empress needs the midwives right away!
[whimpers, panting]
The midwives!
- [knocking on door]
- [door opens]
The Empress needs the midwives.
[valet] Come. Hurry.
[Pfudel] Faster! Faster!
- My spectacles!
- [midwife] I have them.
[Sophie] What has happened?
[Pfudel] Your Imperial Highness.
- Is something wrong with the child?
- [Pfudel] The contractions have started.
- The heir to the throne will arrive soon.
- Oh, this is too early. He's not due.
Oh, nature takes its own course,
Your Imperial Highness.
Let it be known that the whole court
should pray, in the chapel.
- Certainly, Your Imperial Highness.
- Everybody. The whole court must pray.
[tense music playing]
- [gasping]
- [footsteps approaching rapidly]
[knocking on door]
Not yet.
[valet] It is the Empress.
She's in labour.
Get out! The Empress needs me.
The Empress needs me now!
[moaning]
Oh God.
[Elisabeth inhales sharply]
- Oh
- Are we not intruding?
We're here to encourage Her Highness.
It's how it's always been.
If Your Majesty would lie down,
it would help the process.
[exhales] I have to keep moving. [groans]
Thank you.
- Is it not too early? He's not due yet.
- Oh, it's only a few weeks.
I'm not worried, Highness.
The sun may rise only once
when a woman is in labour. You know that.
[Pfudel] It's only been a few hours.
And massaging the lower back
helps to open up the cervix.
No massage. The cervix had opened
sufficiently two hours ago.
[midwife] Yes, but then why
is the head not crowning?
- [Elisabeth exhales]
- [Franz] What can I do?
- [Elisabeth whimpering]
- Tell me what I can do.
[exhales]
Something is wrong.
The pain was different last time.
[Elisabeth groaning]
[Elisabeth gasps]
Can you not ease the pain for her?
In England, they give women
chloroform in childbirth.
Not in Habsburg.
Bearing the agony is our God-given duty.
[groaning]
Go get the doctor.
Respectfully, we can manage.
[Elisabeth groans]
- Go get the doctor.
- [Elisabeth whimpering]
- [door opens]
- Mm. Mm. [exhales]
[tense music playing]
[Elisabeth gasps]
[wailing]
He is worth it, Elisabeth.
- Could be the umbilical cord.
- Lord, please help.
[Elisabeth crying]
[Dr Fritsch] Uh, may I ask you
to lie down, Your Majesty?
[Elisabeth groaning]
Perhaps we should sing something soothing.
Yes. But do it outside.
[Elisabeth groans]
[Charlotte] My umbilical cord
was wrapped around my neck,
and the midwife cut it
with a letter-opening knife.
[Elisabeth moans]
Will you please go now?
Dr Fritsch and the midwives, stay.
[footsteps receding]
[door opens]
Please.
- [water splashing]
- [Elisabeth exhales]
[Dr Fritsch] Lie still now.
[wails]
[Dr Fritsch] Hold this, please.
- Is there something wrong with him?
- I can see the head.
You're doing very well, Your Majesty.
[straining]
[crying]
[tense music playing]
[Elisabeth continues crying]
I fear the uterus is damaged.
[Pfudel] We can still save the child.
What was it that you said?
[Dr Fritsch] We must get the child out.
Forceps, Mrs Pfudel.
Quickly now. We have no time to lose.
[Elisabeth continues crying]
[screaming]
[screaming continues]
[Dr Fritsch] You are doing very well,
Your Majesty. Very well.
[hushed praying]
[woman]the spirit that gives life.
Dear Lord, in Mary, the mother of Jesus,
we meet the dawn of redemption.
On the feast of her birth,
we ask you to protect the Empress.
Inspire and strengthen
- [screaming]
- [Dr Fritsch] Hold this, please.
[midwife] Yes, Doctor.
[Dr Fritsch] I need more light.
[sobbing]
Keep going, Your Majesty. That's it.
It's nearly all over.
Yes, Your Majesty, you are doing so well.
Just one more push.
[straining]
Nearly there.
Yes. That is very good.
Here it comes. Here it comes.
[baby crying]
[midwife] I shall clean the child, Doctor.
[maid] I've prepared a bath.
- [baby continues crying]
- [breathing heavily]
- We have to stop the bleeding now.
- [shallow breathing]
[clattering]
Elisabeth, you did it.
You did it, Elisabeth.
Your Majesty, please go to your child.
I cannot leave her.
I implore you. Go now.
[sombre music playing]
- Towels. We need towels.
- [rapid footsteps]
Bring more towels, quickly.
[door closes]
I'm sorry, Majesty.
[baby cooing]
It is a girl.
[baby cooing]
[tense music playing]
Try to keep her awake.
[maid] Your Majesty?
Are you awake?
[blood squelching]
[towel splatters]
[box thuds]
[dramatic music playing]
[maid] Your Majesty, can you hear me?
Your Majesty?
[maid breathing shakily]
[seagulls cawing]
[Ivan] Your Imperial Highness! A telegram!
Your Imperial Highness!
A telegram from Vienna.
It is from your brother.
[dramatic music playing]
[music fades]