When rebellious Elisabeth ("Sisi") meets Franz, Emperor of Austria, the young couple's extraordinary love completely jumbles the dynasty's power structure. After the wedding, the young empress not only has to find herself in a world that is strange to her, but also has to assert herself against Sophie, her mother-in-law, who before had been the most powerful woman at court. Furthermore, Franz's unpredictable brother Maxi, who, as the second born, has always stood in the shadow of his powerful brother, turns Sisi's emotional world upside down. While enemy troops are forming up at the borders of the Habsburg empire, a new revolution lies in the air in Vienna. Elisabeth has to find out who she can trust and what it costs to become the empress and figure of hope for an entire nation.