Martin Mystère #409 (2024) p 52-53: Fatal attraction

Martin narrates yet another of Prince Rudolf's many liaisons, one which turned dangerous indeed:

“In the autumn of 1888, at a ball at the Viennese court, Rudolf met Baroness Mary Vetsera, who was only seventeen at the time. It seems that the two had already met ten years earlier. Even as a child, Mary had fallen madly in love with the prince and never forgot him. The young baroness said she was ready to do anything for Rudolf.

"Although he found her attractive, he did not seem to reciprocate her attention. But eventually the heir to the throne finally gave in and began a relationship with Mary Vetsera that soon became known at court.

"Rudolf, however, was increasingly depressed, feeling like a failure as a prince and as a man. Suicidal desires began to press on his mind again, and in the end they prevailed.

"On January 29, 1889 he was right here, in Mayerling. He had already made up his mind to take that final step. Maria, however, was with him. Rudolf tried to push her away: he felt guilty about their relationship, which he knew was harmful to the baroness, still a young girl with her whole life ahead of her, and she was also engaged to the Prince of Braganza. Maria would not listen to reason and decided to stay by her beloved's side, to share his fate.

"On the morning of January 30, Johann Loschek, Rudolf’s valet and personal butler, entered the prince's room and found two lifeless bodies. Rudolf had shot Maria, then written some farewell letters and committed suicide with a shot to the temple.”