Original subtitles

Fienchen, will you come join us?

I'm making tea now.

And milk.

-Daddy has to have tea too. -Yes.

Do you want tea, Daddy?

Franz? Fienchen asked you something.

Yes. Sorry.

Where is my tea?

Thank you.

Who else wants some?

What are you thinking about?

Our visit to Milan.

I hope things in Lombardy calm down.

I think it was right to give your brother that task.

-Don't you think? -Yes.

We have to wait and see.

But other parts of the empire worry me.

Where do you want to go?

To Hungary.

I know we were just travelling for such a long time.

-And you want to be with the children. -Then let's just take them along.

-Really? -Yes.

We'll go on a family adventure.

Yes?

To Hungary?

Are you serious?

The Hungarians are paying a very high price for a revolution from ten years ago.

It's time for change. I want to take a first step.

And what is this step supposed to look like?

They are demanding a constitution.

-Do you want to permit that? -I will present Elisabeth to them.

She is the one keeping the people in our empire together.

Must I remind you how your last encounter with one of those barbarians ended?

I can't hate a whole nation for the act of one individual.

One more thing. The girls are coming this time.

No, they're far too young for such a trip.

Fienchen is old enough. It could be an important experience for her.

And, who knows, she may play an important role in this empire someday.

THE EMPRESS

-Yes. -Good morning, Countess.

-We wanted to pick you up. -I'm not ready.

Your luggage is still here.

Take the Countess's luggage. We're running late.

Yes, Countess.

Is the Princess here?

Have you seen her?

No, we haven't seen her.

Your Imperial Highness, where are you?

Poor thing.

Countess, are you unwell?

You are very pale.

Is the fever back? We thought it was done after all those weeks.

It is done.

-Should I call for the Doctor? -No, please don't.

I merely slept poorly.

I heard the kitchen staff had the whooping cough.

-And two of our chambermaids had the flu… -Pauline, it was just a cold.

I'll be right there.

You cannot possibly come on this journey.

Not in this state.

So, that's how it is.

So you can finally be rid of me.

I know it's not the flu.

What do you plan on doing?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Please leave.

Now.

How pretty.

It smells good.

Yes.

Come on, then.

I want to show you something else before you leave.

Where did they come from?

You do that so well.

It's so cute.

It's a pity that you have to go

and won't see the kitties any more.

By the time you return, they'll be big. Not small and fluffy any more.

Oh, well.

Come on now.

-It's time to leave. -I'm not going.

I'm staying with you.

You can't, my dear.

Your mum and dad want to take you on their big trip.

Sophie,

put the kitty down.

-No. -You have to.

I'm not going. I'm staying here!

Kittens?

You can't be serious.

Where is she?

Hiding there under that bush. She doesn't want to come out.

I thought you liked it when kids spend time in nature.

Don't take me for a fool.

This trip isn't right for her.

I decide what's right for her.

I'm her mother.

I know you won't believe me, Elisabeth.

But I will miss her.

You're right.

I don't believe you.

Wait, let me wipe your nose.

I hope you haven't caught a cold.

Leontine?

What's wrong?

I can't accompany you, Your Majesty.

-Will you please go outside? Thanks. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Why not?

Is the fever back?

You should have rested more.

-I hope you're not angry at me. -No.

Of course you'll stay here if you're not well.

I would've loved to come along.

Now that you're finally going to Hungary.

Next time.

Will you promise me that you'll see the doctor?

Yes.

Leontine, you must get better.

Thank you very much, Elisabeth.

Your Majesty, please.

Could I complain?

Could I be apprehensive?

Could I lose faith

In you

And in myself?

That was better already, Your Imperial Highness.

More precision on your triplets, please.

And don't speed up on the sixteenths.

Yes.

I have one more thing.

When you sing, "Could I complain? Could I be apprehensive?"

"Could I lose faith in you and in myself?"

it needs to be more powerful, you see?

"I could lose faith," he says.

But he doesn't.

Because he believes God is with him.

Even in the darkest hour, he doesn't give up the fight.

One has to hear it.

Yes, Your Imperial Highness.

All right then, once more from the top.

Could I complain?

Could I be apprehensive?

Could I lose faith in you

And in myself?

I don't need anything, thank you.

It's me, Alexander.

I was so worried when I heard you were no longer travelling to Hungary.

Then I was delighted we could have some time together.

May I?

Of course.

Can I ask you something?

Yes.

Is there a reason you're angry at me?

You've been avoiding me. I…

I thought you'd lost interest in me.

I'm very interested in you.

It's this stupid cold. I…

Of course.

I'll leave you alone.

No.

Make me a tea.

You can do that, right?

Yes, I can do that.

I prefer you without the tight dress.

-Naked. How original. -No.

I didn't mean it like that.

I think I really see you then, Leontine.

Can you imagine leaving this place?

Going someplace where we can start anew?

Away from court.

Away from politics.

Just a vegetable garden and…

maybe a child?

I thought you didn't want to just be a housewife.

I might, but just not here.

You know, His Majesty and I…

We've built so much here.

And you're so important to the Empress, and we still have such big plans here.

Forget it. It was stupid.

First you don't want to marry, so you can work.

Now you want to marry, but not here? Explain it to me.

Why don't we stay and marry here?

Children, come!

Come on, Klara! I'm going to beat you there!

Food is served. Hurry.

Come! Hurry up!

-Wait for me. Don't go so fast! -Or else the sisters will scold us again.

-Crybaby. -I want to sit next to Joseph.

The youngest sleep here.

Many of them share a bed. Actually, we're low on everything.

I'm happy when I don't have to send the children to bed hungry.

Her Majesty would love to help where it's most needed.

God bless the Empress.

The windows need to be replaced.

In the winter, we lost 20 to whooping cough alone.

Tell me, newborns…

Do you also take them in your house?

Yes.

What was born out of sin, we find on our doorstep.

Does it sometimes happen that one of the children finds a new home?

The Empress wants to know.

The children here find their home in the Lord.

Nothing more.

I know this world often leaves young women no choice.

But no love is more powerful than a mother's love.

Giddy-up!

Giddy-up!

Stop!

Welcome to Ofen, Your Majesty.

-I hope you had a pleasant journey. -Out of the way!

Hello, ladies. May I take these for you?

Motion sickness.

You know, the streets in Hungary are in much worse shape than ours.

Shut up!

-Put Gisella to bed, please. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Do you not feel well?

Tummy ache.

Franz, Fienchen doesn't feel well. It's surely from the long journey.

I want to walk with her in the fresh air a bit.

We expect the Viceroy at seven o'clock, Your Majesty.

I think it would do her good.

I'll come along.

-We have enough time. -Yes.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Did you see? There's a river.

-Are you feeling a little better? -Yes.

-Yes? And does your tummy still hurt? -No.

Charlotte was feeling very bad earlier too.

Where are the stars during the day?

Where are the stars during the day?

Come, I'll show you something.

-See how it sparkles? -Yes.

What could that be?

Oh God. Now we have to go in the water.

Look.

Look how it sparkles.

-Maybe it's a star that fell from the sky. -Yes.

For you.

Come, my darling. Come.

Here.

Show me your star.

Whoop.

She's just like you.

The same wild spirit for adventure.

I know.

But she has your tender heart.

Ew.

I wish it could always be like this.

No, I will carry

In my breast

Your heaven

For all times

And this heart

Before it breaks

Tea for you, ma'am.

Thank you. I must leave now.

If you'll excuse me, Your Imperial Highness.

My auntie's celebrating her golden wedding anniversary.

Yes, of course.

Your Imperial Highness,

Baron.

I very much enjoyed it today.

Me too.

May I ask you something?

Why do you do that?

What do you mean, Your Imperial Highness?

Placing your hand on the piano.

I can stop if it bothers you.

It doesn't bother me at all.

It helps me feel the sound of the notes,

their vibration under my fingers.

You play very beautifully, Your Imperial Highness.

Forgive me.

I don't know why I said that.

It's best I go.

I feel the exact same way.

Was someone there?

You should go.

Goodbye.

We have to nip this illness in the bud before it spreads.

He's practically still a child.

He's practically a man.

You can save your children from many things,

on Earth.

But in the afterlife,

they will be on their own.

Don't worry.

I'll take care of it.

-Your Majesty. -What's wrong with her?

-The Princess vomited. -Does she have a fever?

She is a bit warm.

And yesterday before falling asleep, she had a bit of diarrhoea.

Why didn't you tell me that?

I didn't want to wake you again, Your Majesty.

It was so late.

Please call for a doctor.

Dr Seeburger arrived with the imperial entourage.

Better than nothing.

Okay.

Open your mouth.

She had a low-grade fever all night and this morning.

Oh, yes.

She's teething.

That is often accompanied by an elevated temperature and diarrhoea.

-No reason for concern. -She also vomited.

Your Majesty,

I am aware of the sometimes oversensitive emotions of a mother,

but this child is healthy.

"Oversensitive emotions"?

All right.

Thank you, Doctor.

Your Majesty.

I can't stand him.

I know.

Go to the reception alone tonight, please. I want to stay with Fienchen.

Elisabeth, I'm meeting the Hungarian magnates,

including the new Justice Minister, Count Nádasdy.

He wants me to pardon the revolutionary leaders from back then.

I'm not sure yet if it's the right thing to do.

-You being there would be very important. -I know.

But I don't want to leave her alone today.

Come on, we're going to bed, my darling, okay?

So you get better soon.

"And all the stars shone".

"And all the children gathered together to see the little lamb".

Are you cold?

No.

Look, you'll see the stars soon.

How is my girl?

She's never had such a high fever from teething.

Maybe we should return to Vienna?

There's nothing in Vienna we don't have here.

Elisabeth, you heard the doctor.

You need to get some sleep.

Please.

How was the dinner?

Whenever I come alone, everyone immediately expects a confrontation.

I'm sorry.

-I'll call Frieda so you can go lie down. -No.

I'm going to stay with her tonight.

Thank you.

Good night.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

We didn't want to wake you. Look who's feeling better.

-Fienchen. -Mummy.

Hello.

She ate some porridge too.

I told you so.

No reason to worry.

Well, my darling? I'm so happy you're feeling better.

You can perform your duties without worry, Your Majesty.

You being with me these next few days is very important.

Where do we need to go?

We'd be in the East Hungarian Plain for three days.

I have to win over the large farmers.

Then we'll do that.

It is important.

Sit down.

You will not see the baron any more.

Your music lessons are over.

Please don't.

You are no longer a child, Ludwig.

In the spring, we will look for a suitable candidate for you to marry,

so there are no rumours.

I'll mend my ways, Mother.

Please, please.

Don't take my music away.

I only want to protect you, Ludwig.

Please believe me.

Margarete.

Your Imperial Highness, if you would follow me, please.

Where to?

Your special daily lessons with Cardinal Rauscher begin today.

-No. Please, not the Cardinal. -It is for your own good.

Minister, you have a guest waiting for you in the small salon.

-A guest? What sort of a guest? -A certain Count von Apafi.

Count von Apafi.

It is an honour.

Interior Minister von Bach.

Thank you for finding the time.

Please.

I hope you will forgive me for showing up here unannounced.

-I happened to be passing through. -But of course.

Leontine will surely be very happy about your visit.

Minister, I'll be honest.

My wife and I are worried.

We have written to our daughter often in the past two years

and have received next to no replies.

Then your marriage proposal came, immediately followed by a withdrawal.

With all due respect, what is going on here?

I understand you very well, Your Highness.

Let me begin like so…

Your daughter Leontine…

is Her Majesty The Empress's closest confidant.

The Empress and my daughter?

You don't say.

Yes, this position demands all of her energy.

She hardly has time for anything else.

And that's why the marriage proposal is indeed off the table?

No, it is not.

I am more determined than ever, Pount von Capafi.

Sorry, I mean Count von Apafi.

That's what I was hoping.

My wife insisted that you have the wedding at our castle.

I have a photograph of the castle that you will soon be the count of.

And this is Countess Agnes, my wife,

and Leontine just before she departed to come here.

Leontine?

Where?

Here.

What do you think, Mr von Bach?

When can I see my daughter? Is she here in the palace?

Countess von Lamberg, are you here?

One moment.

Baron von Bach, well, well.

What is this about?

The Countess von Apafi.

Did she get into trouble?

Do you still remember her arrival at court?

Were there any inconsistencies?

Inconsistencies?

-No. -Please.

Think about it. Anything would help.

Think, Margarete, think.

There was something with her shoes.

Countess Salm-Reifferscheidt, God rest her soul,

kept going on about Countess Apafi not acting like a countess.

That was Countess Salm-Reifferscheidt?

Amalia couldn't stand Leontine.

Schönbrunn is a snake pit.

Amalia also got hold of some photographs.

Of Leontine.

Do you know what happened to them?

To the photographs?

No.

Amalia had that terrible accident.

I don't know.

Thank you.

They are very well-behaved.

Thank you.

A traditional dish.

Carp soup.

Carp from the Danube.

I do not recommend it, Your Majesty.

Phenomenal.

Thank you very much.

For you, Your Majesty.

Thank you.

Well done!

Truly wonderful.

Hey, you.

I thought you'd enjoy this.

Dr Seeburger sent me.

It's the Princess.

Her condition has worsened.

Prepare the carriage!

Hey! Go!

Yes!

Let's wait and see. Maybe it's not so bad.

Do you think they'd have notified us then?

I shouldn't have believed Seeburger.

No point blaming yourself since we don't know what it is.

I should never have left.

When we left, she was doing well.

If she gets a fever, she gets a fever.

Us being there wouldn't have helped.

Being loved by your parents, a sense of security,

that would've helped, Franz.

Even if you weren't taught that.

Hey!

Your Majesties.

Your Majesties.

Where is she?

Your Majesty, this is Dr Götz,

a paediatrician and specialist from Vienna.

Specialist? For what?

Her Imperial Highness, Princess Sophie, has typhoid fever.

What?

That can't be.

But she was feeling better.

I'm going to her.

Let's listen to the doctor.

I am sure the illness has been festering for two or three weeks already.

The nanny informed me that the Princess had diarrhoea a few days ago.

Yes, but there was never any mention that it could be typhoid.

How could you miss that?

Your Majesty, typhoid symptoms,

in the early stages, are unclear and easily mistaken.

And how can you be so sure

when he didn't recognise it these last few days?

In the last three years, I've seen over 500 children with typhoid.

I recognise it.

I'm here,

my darling.

Has she drunk anything?

She spits it all out.

I've been trying with water and a spoon for hours.

Your Majesty.

She is terribly pale, Franz.

I'm here, my Fienchen.

My little girl.

Everything will be okay.

She'll get better, you hear?

Of course she will.

Is there anything you want to tell me?

-What do you mean? -You know exactly what I mean, Leontine.

Oh, right. That's not even your name.

I don't even know your name.

Who would make up such a thing?

You've been lying to me all this time.

There have always been rumours about me, you know that.

-Don't believe any of it. -Your father is here.

Count von Apafi.

I spoke to him today.

Shall we go get him?

I never cared if you were rich or poor, or how noble you were,

or where you come from.

But I can't live with an imposter.

My feelings were always real.

Who are you?

Did you have something to do with Amalia's accident?

Say something!

Don't ask questions you don't want answers to.

Is he still here?

Count von Apafi?

Does he know his daughter isn't here?

Not yet.

I… I'll say the Empress needed her court lady Leontine in Hungary.

I won't betray you.

I love you.

Pack your things.

Leave the palace before daybreak and never come back.

You ridicule divine creation.

You insult it.

Do you understand that?

Stand up.

Embrace me.

God is with you.

Kneel back down.

Pray with me.

Oh Lord.

-Oh Lord. -Deliver me from the sin of lust.

-Deliver me from the sin of lust. -Deliver me from the sin of fornication.

Deliver me from the sin of fornication.

Deliver me from all sins too powerful for me.

Deliver me from all sins too powerful for me.

-Let me be cleansed by your blood. -Let me be cleansed by your blood.

So that I triumph through my prayers.

So that I triumph through my prayers.

In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

-Amen. -Amen.

Stand up.

Embrace me.

We're nearly done.

When you're better, we'll have another tea party.

-Okay? -Yes.

Please, my Fienchen, you must swallow the water.

Just try it once.

Your Majesty, excuse me.

It's… It's just the poor thing…

Stop crying! If you're going to cry, then get out!

My star.

The stone.

Why are you still standing there? Look for the stone.

Of course, Your Majesty.

We'll have it soon.

Here it is.

You'll feel better soon.

O how beautiful

Is your world?

Father

When she shines with golden beams

When your gaze

Descends

And paints the dust

With a shimmering glow

Could I complain?

Could I be apprehensive?

Could I lose faith in you

And in myself?

No, I will carry

In my breast

Your heaven

For all time

And this heart

Before it breaks down

Shall drink in the glow

And the light

Drink in the glow

And the light

Fienchen, I fell asleep for a moment.

I'm back.

My darling.

Fienchen?

Fienchen?

Wake up.

Wake up.

Franz?

Get the doctor.

Get the doctor!

Your Majesty, I…

-I am so very sorry. -No, no.

No…

Subtitle translation by: Kristopher Brame