Franz Joseph once again apologized to Princess Mary and promised that he would find a suitable opportunity for another outing.
After all, Franz Joseph still preferred to go out with his innocent and lively little cousin (Elizabeth), as being with Elizabeth was the only time he could escape from the dull court environment and experience a whole new feeling he had never felt before.
However, Franz Joseph had not yet thought of how to tactfully express his thoughts to his future mother-in-law.
Thinking of this headache-inducing issue, Franz Joseph couldn't help but glance at his mother, hoping she could see his inner thoughts clearly, then change his marriage partner to free him from this "torment."
Hope ultimately remains hope; Franz Joseph didn't know that his mother, Empress Dowager Sophie, who had a strong controlling desire, didn't like Elizabeth.
In Elizabeth, she saw a shadow of her own past rebellious self... a past that Empress Dowager Sophie did not wish to recall.
