The Empress (2022) s02e05 Episode Script

1
[sombre music playing]
[Rauscher] Lord,
let your word bring light
in this dark hour.
You now receive Princess Sophie
as you shall one day
unite us all in your heavenly realm.
We have faith in this, Father,
at this difficult time.
No.
No. No! No.
[sobbing]
[Rauscher] Your Majesty, please.
[continues sobbing]
- [Franz] Elisabeth.
- [Elisabeth] Oh
[Franz] Control yourself, please.
- [Elisabeth sobbing] No. No. No!
Don't you dare touch me now!
You didn't believe me when I said that
we shouldn't have left her on her own!
I said she wasn't well yet!
You never gave a thought about her,
did you, Emperor?
[Sophie] That is enough.
Is this how the Princess
would've wanted you to grieve for her?
You're behaving like a monster.
- You are the monster!
- You will keep calm, Elisabeth!
I have been trying
to keep calm now for years,
in the hope that I'm enough for you!
I left my daughter alone for you.
I cannot forgive you for that.
Fienchen was the one good thing
that we made in all this time.
[mournful music playing]
[theme music playing]
THE EMPRESS
[theme music fades]
[footsteps crunching in grass]
KINGDOM OF BAYERN - 2 MONTHS LATER
[Pauline] Your Majesty, wait for us!
[Charlotte grunting, panting]
Your Majesty!
[Charlotte] Your Majesty, wait!
[grunts] Don't lose her!
- [Pauline] Your Majesty!
- [groans]
[panting] The Countess of Lübeck ha
- Ah!
- [Elisabeth grunts]
Elisabeth!
- [Charlotte gasps]
- [Elisabeth panting]
[Charlotte] It doesn't feel right
to just leave.
[Ludovika] There's no need to worry.
I will manage perfectly well.
Your Royal Highness, the Empress,
the way she's behaving scares me.
You just ensure that your foot heals.
What shall I tell the Archduchess
when she asks how the Empress is?
Tell her that the Empress
is recovering very well
and will return to Vienna
in the near future.
- Ah, but she
- Now, farewell. And depart.
[horse whinnies]
- [footsteps approaching]
- [door opens]
Get up, Elisabeth, I beg you.
I implore you now
to get out of bed, Elisabeth. Please.
[bed creaking]
You must try to eat something. I mean it.
[breathing heavily]
[children laughing and chattering]
Your siblings would so like to see you.
They are worried about you.
Mm?
[melancholy music playing]
[inhales deeply]
[door closes]
[Grünne] General Gyulai's telegram
is alarming.
There has been much rioting
in recent weeks,
and attacks on Austrian soldiers.
The situation in Lombardy-Venetia
has not improved. It's got worse.
Do I take it that you have no faith
in the Viceroy, my son?
With respect, three-quarters of his budget
is being used for restoring schools
and churches, and equipping libraries.
You must know that these measures
that the Viceroy has taken in Lombardy
are welcome over there.
It is just a charade.
Or else there'd be no riots happening,
and that Garibaldi wouldn't have
a thousand soldiers there!
Do I need to remind you that new measures
do not succeed overnight?
Oh, come on, Maximilian's
wasted far too much time
on this type of nonsense.
It must be clear
who in Lombardy has high command,
Archduke Maximilian or General Gyulai.
Majesty?
Your Majesty?
Gentlemen, His Highness and I
will continue alone.
The Emperor will comment
on this matter tomorrow.
[door opens]
Franz, I know how much this hurts.
Not only have you lost your daughter,
you've lost your wife.
But a painful end
is a chance to start all over again.
Did you cry?
In these last weeks?
[gentle piano music playing]
Have you shed even one tear for her?
[gulps]
[Sophie] The empire needs your leadership,
so get some rest.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Maximilian] "He is not well",
writes my mother.
"Franz is brave,
but grief rests upon him like snow."
[music fades]
And where is Elisabeth?
Not a word of her.
I can't imagine, Maxi, how she is feeling.
When I was a child, my sister died.
She was four, and I seven.
She had a rare illness.
No one knew what it was, and then
[exhales]
Then she was gone.
My mother's grief was so raw,
I thought it would be the ruin of her.
And you?
I was with her all the time
and tried to make her laugh again.
[inhales] All I wanted then
was for her to be happy.
[pensive music playing]
And you still want that now.
We have to consider our future now.
For we will have children,
several children.
First, we'll find us
a gorgeous family home.
We'll have our own family.
[Maximilian moans]
Your Imperial Highness.
What's playing
at the court theatre this week?
Here.
This week, it's a Shakespeare play.
A performance every evening.
No.
Nothing with any mad kings in it.
A Midsummer Night's Dream?
"A forest farce of mysticism and power."
[Sophie] Announce the Emperor's attendance
for tomorrow night.
The people have to see him,
and he has to see them.
[Margarete] Very well,
Your Imperial Highness.
The Emperor simply cannot be allowed
to neglect his duties
just because his wife has a tendency
to give in to her agonies.
Is there any news from the Empress?
Nothing, sadly.
Then we will let the process begin.
Have you made the enquiries?
Of course, Imperial Highness.
Therese from Saxony-Altenburg
and Alexandra of Denmark.
[papers rustling]
Therese is considered uncomplicated.
And that is a requisite.
A union with our family
is more than the Altenburgs deserve.
And Alexandra is garrulous,
but in good health.
So long as she conceives an Emperor,
she can chatter all that she wants.
[Sophie inhales, exhales]
[gentle piano music playing]
[Sophie gasps, exhales sharply]
Your Imperial Highness,
is everything all right?
[Sophie gasps]
Sometimes, I feel like the earth
is swimming under my feet.
Ah.
Where were we?
Do you not think
that the Empress will return?
[breathes deeply]
Austria doesn't need her any more.
She never did.
[breathing heavily]
[melancholy music playing]
[Franz] My dearest wife
No, start again.
My dear spouse
[music continues]
I must tell you that
Don't look at me like that, Theo.
What can one say?
Let's leave it.
That will be all, Theo.
Your Majesty.
- [door opens]
- Bring me a cognac.
[door closes]
[music continues]
[cutlery clinking]
[Ludovika] Mimi, two hours of French
once we've eaten.
[Mimi] Must I really
do that today, Mother?
[Ludovika] Well, of course you must.
You know precisely why.
[Little Max] Je m'appelle Max.
[Ludovika] Oh, formidable, Max.
You see, Mimi?
Elisabeth?
[maid] Your Majesty.
- [sighs] Nice.
- [Mimi] You're finally here!
- [Ludovika] The dumplings are very fresh.
- Thank you.
The sheep were taken
to slaughter yesterday.
For me, just coffee, please.
For me, coffee as well.
Where's Father?
Has he not returned?
Your siblings were so looking forward
to finally seeing you.
There is talk that Father lives amongst
wayfarers the other side of the lake.
That's utter nonsense, Mimi.
Your father
is still travelling for business.
Sit up straight, Max. Elbows off there.
And you eat your liver dumplings.
Remember debutante season?
Liver gives you
strong bones and shiny hair.
Next summer, we will present Mimi.
And envoys from the great and the good
have made their adoration of her
already known.
I will only ever get married
to one I fall in love with,
just like Elisabeth.
Mimi, that's so unlikely to happen.
Eat your dumplings now.
Go on.
Where is Fienchen now?
[Ludovika coughing] Max, shh.
Mother said she is with God.
[Ludovika] That's right.
Little Sophie
is now an angel.
And the good Lord is watching over her.
[Elisabeth] No, he's not.
That's not true.
[Ludovika] Elisabeth, please.
Where is she then?
[gentle music playing]
Fienchen's in a crypt all alone,
in her coffin.
There's no heaven up there.
[Ludovika] Elisabeth, stop it.
I don't believe in God now, Mother,
or angels.
No one watches over us up there.
Do not listen to her.
She knows not what she says.
We must stop her.
- Your Majesty, it's sure to snow soon.
- [dog barking]
Please. The Duchess is very worried.
You will not go back into the forest.
Tongues are already wagging.
You have rabies, so they say.
As a girl, when you could
no longer tolerate me,
you always sent me to the forest.
You're behaving like a lunatic.
You've said that before.
Perhaps you were right all along.
[sighs] We've all been disconsolate
and lost children.
That's life.
I cannot live without her.
I felt that.
But you must control your emotions.
[Elisabeth sniffles]
I cannot.
[Ludovika] But you must.
Think of the Emperor.
He will be so worried about your health.
And what about your other child? Gisella?
She's better off without me.
You must slow down.
And you must eat something.
[spits]
[audience laughing]
- [Bottom] Hee-haw.
- [Titania gasps]
[Bottom] Hee-haw.
- [laughing]
- [Bottom] Hee-haw. Hee-haw.
Hee-haw.
[Titania] Ah! [gasps]
My Oberon!
- What visions have I seen!
- [audience laughing]
Methought I was enamoured of an ass.
[audience laughing]
[Oberon] There lies your love.
[Bottom] Hee-haw. Hee-haw. Hee-haw.
[Titania whimpers]
- How came these things to pass?
- [Bottom] Hee-haw. Hee-haw.
[Titania] O, how mine eyes
do loathe his visage now!
- [Bottom] Hee-haw.
- [Oberon] Silence awhile.
Robin, take off his head.
- [Bottom] Hee-haw!
- [Oberon] Titania, music call,
[Bottom] Hee-haw. Hee-haw.
- and strike more dead than common sleep
of all these five, the sense.
[audience clapping]
[indistinct chattering]
[woman] That was so entertaining.
[classical music playing]
[door closes]
[Louise] Your Imperial Highness.
I heard you wished to speak to me.
Baroness von Sina,
I'm so glad you're here.
I see marriage suits you.
You look amazing.
Allow me to express my condolences to you
for the death of Princess Sophie.
Please convey them to the Emperor also.
I wish to secure your help, Baroness.
As you may know,
the Empress is staying in Bayern,
and we are unsure if she will come back.
So you want me to encourage her return?
[scoffs]
The Emperor requires the comfort
and the warmth of a woman.
I'm sure Your Imperial Highness
will think of somebody.
Baroness, we both know that Elisabeth
was hardly the only one
who meant a great deal to my dear son.
My husband wouldn't approve
of this conversation.
Your Imperial Highness.
You would not be doing it for me,
Baroness, but for Austria.
Hasn't it always been like that?
[birds chirping]
[von Metternich-Zichy] Highness,
for the reception
with Milanese high society,
I thought either the exotic blue dress,
or the light, simple one.
As you and the Archduke want to be
unassuming, I suggest the latter.
It will be more subtle, won't it?
It's not about the dress,
but the woman who's wearing it.
The blue one.
Go and get a towel.
We should have you take
more salt baths this month.
It helped my mother.
Um, and raw herrings will help.
No herrings, Countess.
I have to see a doctor.
[von Metternich-Zichy] Yes, Highness.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[dog barking in the distance]
[whistling]
[Giulia] Excuse me.
What you doing?
You shouldn't be outside, signora.
There's a curfew.
[tense music playing]
Do you have a cigarette?
Please.
Yeah. All right.
- [thud]
- [soldier grunts]
[soldier gasps]
[man in Italian] Long live a united Italy!
[soldier gasping]
[musicians playing classical music]
[indistinct chattering]
[man 1 in Italian]
You know, Your Highness,
we haven't seen the inside
of the villa in 30 years.
Eh.
Well, now I'm here.
You're very generous, thank you.
We don't have enough
to take care of the poor.
For the past few months, we've been
taking care of the hospitals, Sister.
We are very grateful for that.
But poverty leads to discontent
among the youth.
We should leave
the planning of new infrastructure
to the Lombards themselves.
Put the power back
in the hands of the Lombards.
I think that's a good idea.
[man 1 chuckles]
To His Imperial Highness,
the Archduke's health.
[all] Raise your glasses!
Raise your glasses! Let's drink to that!
- [indistinct chattering]
- [guests clapping]
[man 2] It's all just a bribe!
- Shh.
- [music stops]
Pardon?
The wine.
This food.
You're just adorning the facade,
but behind it, everything's the same.
[guard drawing sword]
- [guard in English] Guards.
- Leave him.
[guard sheathing sword]
[in Italian] Just because
you learned Italian,
doesn't mean you can fool us.
[tense music playing]
They will go to war with the rebels!
- Everyone knows that.
- [Maximilian] No.
We'll make Lombardy so stable
that the revolts will end.
[scoffs]
There won't be a war
against the rebels, good sir.
Last week,
700 soldiers were forced
to enlist in the Austrian army.
Young men.
Children.
Is that your idea of prosperity and peace?
[guests murmuring]
There must be some misunderstanding.
I ordered no sort of forced enlistment.
[scoffs]
But he did.
[in English] You must inform me
before you take such a course of action.
His Majesty the Emperor
put me in charge of the army.
- [door closes]
- I'm concerned about our security here.
All our good work will be undone
if we fail to cooperate.
[Gyulai] With respect, Highness,
as you only care for restoring churches
and your almshouses,
you must try to understand I can't
just have troops of Austrian recruits.
- Our army is short of soldiers.
- Enough!
We must win the trust of the people.
Garibaldi is rising, and more soldiers
will strengthen his hand here.
Last week, I lost five
of my most decorated Austrian soldiers.
Murdered in cold blood by rebels.
A revolution is coming our way,
I assure you.
And what have you done?
[smacks lips]
[inhales sharply]
I relieve you of military command
in the Emperor's name.
[footsteps receding]
[rapid footsteps]
Elisabeth!
Where are you going?
To see Father.
Mother says Father
lost his wits entirely last summer.
That's the reason I want to see him.
I detest being here with Mother.
I cannot understand
why she wants you to wed next year.
You've only just turned 15.
Mother says it's the best age.
Europe is full of unmarried royal heirs.
Or maybe she doesn't want me
to end up just like Helene.
Did Mother not tell you?
Helene is hopelessly in love
with the man of her dreams.
And he loves her too.
But they're forbidden to be together.
Why? Who is he?
His name is Anton of Thurn and Taxis.
They're a tiny family,
no land, or wealth.
But it didn't really matter to Helene.
She wanted to marry Anton at all costs.
She even got on her knees
and begged Mother,
until Mother asked our cousin
for permission.
- And then?
- The King said no, of course.
His standing is far too low for us.
Helene then just fell apart.
First the issue with Franz, and now this.
I think Helene should be allowed
to be with the man she really loves.
Like you and Franz.
'Til the end of time,
that's what you swore.
They're just words, Mimi.
They mean nothing.
But we all dreamed of a love
just like that.
It is preposterous.
Go back to the house.
Do not wait for me tonight.
[bell rings]
[door opens]
[valet]
The Foreign Minister, Your Majesty.
- Majesty, I'll send him away.
- [Franz] Admit him.
- [footsteps approaching]
- [Franz sighs]
Your Majesty. Thank you for receiving me
without an appointment.
[Buol clears throat]
We must talk about the situation in Milan.
You want my brother's funds withdrawn.
Isn't that so?
Last night, we saw
three Austrian soldiers murdered.
General Gyulai must have
all financial power to maintain security.
My brother says
he must have financial autonomy.
[puts glass down]
[slurring] And I've put my trust in him.
Uh, allow me.
[decanter clatters]
- [closes decanter]
- [inhales]
[Buol clears throat]
Your Majesty, I regret
that I have to say this, but
Speak your mind.
- [glass clinks]
- [Buol exhales]
[sighs]
Your brother,
he is reckless with funds.
Throws soirées, parties.
And what does it accomplish? Nothing.
He says it's all in the name
of the empire,
but all he's doing
is endangering the security of Habsburg,
and I cannot allow that.
[Franz inhales deeply]
Majesty.
And it's not the first time that
your brother has put his own interests
above those of the empire.
I cannot ignore him
taking advantage of you, Highness,
when you've been through such turmoil.
[inhales] Tell the assembly
that you will speak for me in this affair.
- The decision rests with you.
- Majesty.
I thank you, Majesty.
Leave, please.
Go.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[coughing]
[retches, snorts]
[decanter clatters]
[screams]
[door opens]
[melancholy music playing]
Your Majesty, can I help?
Get out.
Out!
And don't come back in again.
[Franz breathing shakily]
[Franz coughing]
[door closes]
[crying]
[sobbing]
[music continues]
[Franz sobbing]
[Buol] And, therefore, financial support
for cultural and social initiatives
for Lombardy-Venetia will cease.
[gasps] Has this actually been agreed
by His Majesty?
[Buol] And instead,
we'll invest in a comprehensive expansion
of the local military.
- No.
- [papers rustling]
I, myself, will speak to the Emperor.
He alone should make
this decision, not you!
He instructed me to resolve this matter.
[von Bach inhales]
Ministers, you are dismissed.
Since when do you dismiss us?
The Emperor trusted me
with full authority in this. You hear?
And And since when
have you been so interested
in the comprehensive expansion
of our military?
That is not a part of your responsibility.
Neither is it yours.
[Sophie] Will you excuse me?
Your Imperial Highness,
you cannot allow the Foreign Minister
to behave this way
in the Emperor's absence.
This is madness.
Be careful, Minister,
how you dare to talk to me.
[Buol chuckles]
[von Bach sighs]
Compose two telegrams
to General Gyulai and Maximilian.
- Dispatch them this evening.
- [secretary] Yes, sir.
Oh, and bring me a drink.
[footsteps receding]
Cognac.
- [door closes]
- Mm.
[birds chirping]
Your Imperial Highness,
you're in very good health.
The regular loss of blood
strongly suggests
that you can fall pregnant.
- [Marie gasps]
- You see, my dear? All will be well.
Could I have a word in private, Highness?
[door opens]
[sighs] Um
[door closes]
I must inform you, Your Highness,
that sometimes a man's semen
might be insufficient for a pregnancy.
[scoffs]
[inhales] Let me be clear, Doctor,
there have been at least two occasions
when I have got a girl pregnant.
Is that so?
All the better then, Your Highness.
And since then, um,
have you remained clear of illness?
Influenza, gonorrhoea,
syphilis?
- No.
- [door opens]
[Marie] A telegram has arrived.
From Vienna.
- We're done here, Doctor.
- [doctor] Your Imperial Highness.
[footsteps receding]
From your brother.
[door closes]
[tense music playing]
What is it?
He has cut off all our funds.
Everything's going to be diverted
to Gyulai's military.
He can't do that, Maxi.
What about all our plans
and the ideas we have?
I was a fool to think that
he would ever believe in me.
It's turned to shit.
It doesn't have to be final though.
You must do something.
Will you listen to me?!
And stop being so naive!
You're going?
When you come up with a plan
to resolve this, please will you
How can you behave this way
with what I'm going through?
The father of my children, Maxi,
does not bleat like this.
It is abhorrent.
[tense music playing]
[breathing shakily]
His Majesty will recover,
Your Imperial Highness.
Give him some time.
[inhales, exhales]
[slurring] I must say, it breaks my heart
when I think of little Sophie.
She was so clever.
Like yourself.
She even had your name.
What does that signify?
You've had too much to drink.
One glass.
Just one.
The atmosphere just weighs down your soul.
The Countess is finished.
No, I wanted to try some pâté.
You will go to bed.
[gulps]
[Margarete inhales] Mm.
Your Imperial Highness.
[Margarete clears throat]
You must clear her dishes away.
Clear everything up. I shall dine alone.
[valet] Yes, Your Highness.
And send for the Interior Minister too.
No pâté at all for Margarete.
- [door opens]
- Hm?
Good evening.
[Buol humming]
Looks as if at least one of us
had a good day today.
Countess von Lamberg.
- [papers rustling]
- This is a surprise at this late hour.
- Uh, how can I help?
- Let's see
At last, someone who can have some fun.
The whole palace is like a graveyard.
- [decanter clinks]
- [Buol chuckles]
Well, um, I'm very glad that
That we finally have this opportunity.
[glasses clink]
[Buol chuckles]
What shall we drink to?
My good self. And reinforcing Lombardy.
His Highness trusted me
with this vital operation.
So then, you are on your way
to the top, hm?
Like yourself.
- But isn't it actually a sad occasion?
- [glass thuds]
That war's coming?
Mm. [exhales]
War isn't a bad thing for everyone.
[dramatic music playing]
[Margarete gasps]
Your Imperial Highness.
Forgive me, I do not wish to disturb you.
I will not tolerate
the way you spoke to me.
[cutlery clinking]
[von Bach] Your Imperial Highness?
Earlier, in front of the assembly.
Count Buol had the audacity
to dominate the situation.
Then I think the two of you
should meet up in a tavern one night
and prove with your fists
who's more of a man!
Not at my cabinet, I tell you.
[footsteps approaching]
[whispering] Baroness von Sina
is here to see you.
[cutlery clattering]
[chair scrapes]
Excuse me for a moment, would you?
- Your Imperial Highness.
- [Sophie] Baroness von Sina.
Do I take it you've reconsidered?
He's an old friend, and he's in need.
He might need to talk to someone.
Just talk?
Interesting.
Whatever he might want..
Your Imperial Highness.
Were you eavesdropping, Minister?
The door was open.
Was that Baroness von Sina?
If you've an opinion,
then come out with it.
Me?
I am not allowed to have an opinion,
Your Majesty.
Forgive my behaviour earlier.
I wish you a peaceful night.
Minister.
Your Imperial Highness?
- Would you care to dine with me tonight?
- [von Bach] With you?
Uh, forgive me.
You mean,
for us be alone?
It would be an honour.
[cutlery clinking]
[footsteps receding]
To be honest, I had hoped
for more stimulating conversation
from you, von Bach.
I tend to disappoint in social situations.
Once, there was a time
when you were afraid of me,
and I found it amusing.
- [von Bach chuckles]
- What happened to that?
First you want stimulating conversation,
and now I am to be frozen with fear.
What is it you want from me?
I do not really know.
To the good old days, Highness.
And there's no need to worry,
I'm still terrified of you.
[footsteps approaching]
[valet] Another glass of wine,
Your Imperial Highness?
[melancholy music playing]
- [crying]
- [footsteps approaching]
[Franz breathing heavily]
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty?
I am here.
My Sophie
[Franz crying]
[Louise] Shh, shh, shh.
I am here.
All will be well.
[Franz] I miss you so.
I'm here.
[Franz] I love you.
[music continues]
I love you
Elisabeth.
Elisabeth.
[musician playing accordion music]
- [laughter]
- [camel bellows]
[dog barking]
[bellowing]
[horse whinnying]
[chickens clucking]
[indistinct chattering]
[dog barking]
Does it not hurt?
You have to surrender to the pain
and forget it.
[Herzog] Elisabeth?
- What are you doing here?
- [music stops]
[people clapping]
I wanted to know
where you've been, Father.
- [musician continues playing]
- I've been here.
[dog barking]
[woman laughing]
The circus is where
you always wanted to be.
[chuckles] Everyone said I was mad,
but I still did it.
Hm.
This circus, Father,
so do you fund it all?
Uh, I make sure they have food to eat
and a roof over their heads.
But at the end of the day, Elisabeth,
I owe my life to them.
[laughter]
[indistinct chattering]
I was abandoned.
You let me down.
No letter.
Would it have done any good?
[dog barking]
Everyone here is saying that
you've not been eating.
It helps no one if you starve yourself.
Or do you want to die?
Is that it?
Did you leave Vienna to die here?
I can't return to Vienna, Father.
They want me to forget all about her.
Does Franz want that too?
You must stop this, Elisabeth.
You can't change the world.
The world out there, it is lost.
[woman chuckling]
- I don't know where to go.
- Then stay here.
[woman chuckles]
Look around.
Folk who have nowhere to go
feel at home here.
And they can be who they want to be.
Free.
Wild.
[laughter and chattering]
To people like us.
[laughter and chattering]
- [laughter]
- [glass breaking]
- [Herzog] Did you hear that?
- [woman laughing]
My daughter
is going to stay with us for a while.
[woman] I thought your daughter
was the Empress.
[laughter]
[Herzog] Where are you going?
- [man] Hey, beautiful girl, dance with me!
- [Herzog] Elisabeth?
- [glass breaking]
[pensive music playing]
[breathing shakily]
[exhales]
[breathing heavily]
[gentle music playing]
Something happened to you
a few months back.
What was it?
Nothing that I'm aware of,
Imperial Highness.
Does it have anything to do
with Countess Apafi's disappearance?
Does nothing escape your notice, ever?
No.
[inhales, exhales]
So is your heart broken?
I'm not nearly as weak
as you might think, Your Highness.
I can endure a lot.
But I hate to be lied to.
I do not think you're weak.
Please, Highness
you've made your thoughts
very clear over the years.
I actually know that
if this palace should crumble to pieces,
you would be one of the few people
who would survive out there.
You brought nothing with you,
and therefore you don't need much.
Have no fear.
There's a woman out there waiting for you.
I want to ask a question, Highness,
that will earn me two weeks in prison.
Four.
The penalty is four weeks
for asking intrusive questions.
[scoffs]
- [von Bach inhales deeply]
- Well go on, then.
Will you tell me
who takes care of you, Highness?
I'm not one who requires
a shoulder to cry on.
I know that.
I will never give in to sorrow,
nor end up in despair.
I assure you of that.
[exhales]
- Good night.
- Uh
I crave your forgiveness
I've had a wonderful time.
[exhales sharply]
[footsteps receding]
[birds chirping]
[Fienchen] Mama.
Mama.
[tender music playing]
I miss you so much.
I miss you so.
[crying]
[Fienchen] Don't cry, Mama.
Where is my stone?
Papa has your stone. [breathing shakily]
[Elisabeth crying]
Papa has your stone.
[Ludovika] Elisabeth!
[sobbing]
Elisabeth.
Elisabeth.
- Elisabeth.
- Mm?
[Ludovika sighs]
Oh. Come. Come on.
Come. Oh.
[birds chirping]
[bed creaking]
Have you been awake long?
What is it?
The doctor asked me
about infections I have caught.
There are conditions
that can make a man infertile.
I have to say that before you, I have
had syphilis.
I thought that I had put it all behind me.
Will you forgive me?
If I can't give you any children
will you still stay with me?
[exhales]
[Ludovika] Sleeping in the forest.
Who does such a thing?
- [Ludovika sighs]
- [carafe thuds]
It wasn't the first time.
I know that this was not the first time.
You were always running off.
Don't put that on me.
You never wanted me to be here.
[rooster crowing]
You pushed me away.
Nothing about me was right.
[inhales]
[scraping]
I've never told you this, but
when I delivered you,
your milk teeth were there.
Right at the front.
Right here,
two teeny-tiny pointy teeth. [chuckles]
That's very rare,
the doctor said [sniffles]
for someone to be born with teeth.
[tender music playing]
You have been strong since birth.
Stronger than you think.
I didn't protect my girl.
Oh
[Ludovika] You don't need
to forgive Franz.
Forgive yourself, my dear.
Have you any soup?
[gasps] Yes.
[gasps] Mimi, go and get some soup.
[Ludovika chuckles]
[Elisabeth sighs]
[Elisabeth] I have to go back home.
- [clinking]
- [Franz groans]
[Theo] Good morning, Your Majesty.
[groans]
Was someone here?
Majesty?
[Franz exhales]
[exhales]
Elisabeth was here. I'm sure of it.
There was nobody here.
[inhales, exhales]
Prepare the coach straight away.
I'm going to Bayern.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- [carriage rattling]
[melancholy music playing]
[Mimi] Mother!
A letter from the King.
- He's permitting Helene's wedding.
- What? How so?
- Elisabeth wrote to him.
- Let's see.
"And it is therefore with great joy
that I comply
with the Empress's heartfelt wish
and enable Helene
to enter into this marriage."
[gasps]
- [Ludovika gasping]
- [Mimi laughing]
That is wonderful.
Wonderful!
[coachman] Stop there! Whoa!
- [horse whinnies]
- [coachman] Halt!
[carriage stops]
What's happening there?
[coachman] There's another carriage,
Your Majesty.
We cannot pass.
[horse whinnies]
[horse snorts]
[birds crowing]
[horse snorts]
It has been so desolate
without our daughter.
Being without her is torture.
Without you
my life is just unbearable.
I beg your forgiveness.
[gentle music playing]
There's nothing to forgive.
[crying]
[inhales deeply]
[Franz] What is that?
You cut yourself?
[music continues]
[music fades]
[in French] The Emperor is still reluctant
to use the military.
The chance to strike the Habsburgs
has never been better, Your Majesty.
He lost his daughter, Prime Minister.
He's in mourning.
Have you no heart?
I will help you unite Italy,
but I certainly won't wage
a war of aggression.
Franz Josef must declare war on you.
In other words, on Piedmont,
not vice versa.
France can intervene as your saviour.
And what happens
if Emperor Franz Josef
does not declare war?
He's known for being a dove.
Believe me,
there will be a war,
and he will start it.
[dramatic music playing]
[music fades]