Sisi is pregnant. The young imperial couple do not have much time to enjoy their happiness together. The conflicts in Hungary come to a head, and the rest of Europe is also seething. Countess Esterhazy hopes that Sisi can persuade the Emperor to negotiate with the Hungarian nobility. She arranges a secret meeting between Sisi and Count Andrassy. But before she can speak to Franz, an assassination attempt is made on him during the christening of their daughter Sophie.

Franz barely survived the assassination attempt in the church. But when there are uprisings against the Habsburgs in Italy, he goes to war. To help the soldiers as well, Sisi helps out in a military hospital in Laxenburg and cares for the wounded. The mood in Hungary is still heated. Sisi succeeds in persuading Franz to meet Count Andrassy during a reception in Budapest and negotiate a peace treaty. At the height of the festivities, another dangerous incident occurs.

The new assassination attempt on Franz was prevented, but the young imperial couple is struck by a terrible blow of fate in Budapest. The little princess Sophie dies. Sisi falls into deep, immeasurable grief and Franz distances himself from her more and more. Fanny must pay for her crimes. In Europe the signs continue to point to war, Napoleon III claims parts of the Habsburg lands in Italy for himself. Sisi refuses to give up and fights - for herself, her people and her love for Franz!