Archduchess Sophie of Austria (née of Bavaria) was rightly called 'the Secret Empress' in her day - the woman had an iron will and a heart of ice to match. And as enthralled as she was with Sisi in her engagement, found her to be sadly lacking in her marriage. IIRC she actually preferred her second son, Max's wife, Charlotte of Belgium (who likewise had a dislike of Sisi).
The original reason that the Emperor went to Bad Ischl was to meet and be engaged to Sisi's older sister, Helene Karoline Theresia of Bavaria (a.k.a. Nene). Nene would've fitted in well at the Austrian court - far better than Sisi (their mother, Sophie and both the Queens of Saxony and Prussia agreed on this (arguably at different points)).
What if Sophie gives Franz Josef an "or else" ultimatum when she tells him to marry Nene instead of Sisi. Sophie reasons that her punctuality can be improved once they get to Vienna. And also, Sisi is very much still a child. So, Nene becomes empress instead. And then...?
The original reason that the Emperor went to Bad Ischl was to meet and be engaged to Sisi's older sister, Helene Karoline Theresia of Bavaria (a.k.a. Nene). Nene would've fitted in well at the Austrian court - far better than Sisi (their mother, Sophie and both the Queens of Saxony and Prussia agreed on this (arguably at different points)).
What if Sophie gives Franz Josef an "or else" ultimatum when she tells him to marry Nene instead of Sisi. Sophie reasons that her punctuality can be improved once they get to Vienna. And also, Sisi is very much still a child. So, Nene becomes empress instead. And then...?