SISSI: THE LAST EMPRESS

- EXCERPT -

CHAPTER I

A Carefree Youth

Possenhofen Castle

1837-1852

"SISSI! COME back here immediately!" thundered the duchess of Bavaria.

Once again, she had run away in the forest surrounding the family estate. As soon as it was time to receive the teachings of her governess, she escaped. It wasn't that she hated the Baroness of Wulfen, but rather that she loathed European geography. Remaining seated on a wooden chair for hours was unbearable. Sissi much preferred walking in the woods, in the open air.

Elisabeth of Wittelsbach didn't like her first name very much; it's why she decided from an early age to give herself the nickname Sissi. Shorter, less formal and very original, it somewhat looked like her. Her circle accepted this decision and very rarely used her real name. Only customary formalities required that she state her true identity. Despite her undeniable beauty, the young woman had pinkish skin, black eyes and reddish chestnut hair. She loved activities reserved for men, and horseback riding was by far her favourite one. She never went a day without mounting her mare. Polly, with her brown coat, was her best friend in times of sadness. In good weather and bad, every time the slightest sorrow came over her, Sissi climbed on the back of her fateful companion and galloped along the land of her country for a long while. She was in harmony with the nature that surrounded her. If she hadn't been a member of the nobility, she would have made a great farmer.

Amid century-old trees, Sissi walked slowly in the dewy grass. On this autumn morning, a cool wind blew on the mountainous region.

"Why should I learn such nonsense? I do not need to know the location of Paris or Rome... I will never go to such places," she whispered to herself.

Wearing a simple white dress and leather shoes, she started dreaming about a handsome and valiant prince charming. In her vivid imagination, he came to her on a magnificent black horse. The dark-haired man had blue eyes and immaculate white teeth. Nothing in the world could prevent her from believing that this famous stranger would eventually show up.

Her long walk had tired her, so she decided to rest. Sissi sat comfortably on a small rock, not far from a huge tree. She was gazing at the vast clearing that reflected against her twinkling eyes.

"There's nothing quite like this anywhere else...!" she thought without a doubt.

She was nearly fourteen years of age, and she did not worry much about her future. She was of a rather carefree nature, but she was by no means foolish. Very early on, her father, Duke Maximilian, familiarly nicknamed Max, had showed her how to avoid life's pitfalls. He, who had been forced to marry Sissi's mother, knew more than anyone that freedom was the most powerful weapon any individual could possess. Having been obliged to marry the youngest daughter of the King of Bavaria, he had lost a great deal of his independence. The nobleman had sworn to protect his children from a similar fate, particularly Sissi, his favourite. The man had made it his mission to watch over the fate of his offspring.

Sissi's mother, Duchess Ludovika, was the complete opposite of her husband. Assuredly elegant and refined, she was inclined towards the etiquette of high society. Wasn't she a member of the royal family of Bavaria? She had been sacrificed by her parents to maintain the union with the youngest branch of the Wittelsbach family. By marrying her cousin, the princess guaranteed the continuity of the dynasty. But did she have a choice? All her sisters were living similar situations. Sophie, for example, was the mother of the Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph I. Truth be told, Ludovika was the only one in her family who married a nobleman without any royal or imperial blood. The pride of Sissi's mother was hurt, and she would suffer in silence all her life.