As Napoleon gets deposed, things start to become restless in Vienna; Franz thinks it wise to let Rudolf start his military training earlier, against Sisi's wishes.

Sisi finds out that a worker has kidnapped her son. In exchange for him, the kidnapper wants the emperor's life. Sisi wants to save Rudolf, but it is a perilous mission because the kidnapper has nothing to lose.

When Sisi learns that Franz has removed Rudolf from the army, she returns to Vienna. There, she has to negotiate the alliance and try to restore the tense atmosphere.

Sisi picks up Rudolf and leaves Vienna, giving Franz an ultimatum that she will only return if she can decide how her son will be raised; Franz tries to reduce the unrest among the workers.

Sisi and Rudolf enjoy their freedom on the island; through a spy, Franz, fearing new alliances in Vienna, discovers the whereabouts of his wife and son.

Franz joins Sisi and Rudolf in France, but political and personal challenges strain their relationship. After a night of passion, Franz secretly travels back to Vienna with Rudolf.