The author, Countess Mary Larisch was a horsewoman & favourite niece of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. This book was written 24 years after the infamous Meyerling tragedy that left her cousin, Crown Prince Rudolph and his mistress Mary Vetsera met their untimely demise. She began the narration of her life story as Countess Wallersee; the only daughter of Duke Ludwig of Bavaria and his actress wife; then brought to the close circle of Empress Elisabeth as a teenager and her relation to the court of Vienna particularly in regards with her role in forbidden relationship of Habsburg- Vetsera. She also described her experiences of being confidant to Empress Sissi and her devotion to Her Majesty. She depicting her final parting with Vetsera & Rudolph; the state of physical condition in which the duo dead bodies were found & examined by court physician Dr Wiederhofer; the last toilette & burial of Vetsera, Rudolph mysterious box claimed by Archduke John Salvator of Tuscany & her banishment from Vienna. Exclusively in this book, she published her last picture photographed with Vetsera few days before the latter died and Mary suicide ketter to her. Plus a reason beside this suicide. Its only after the suicide of her son upon learning that she had role in this tragedy that the author wrote this book as defence & explanation to public accusation directed to her since that dreadful incident.