Chapter Text
The story spread like a wildfire through Austria to Hungary, Emperor Franz Joseph I forced the beloved Empress Elisabeth and the crown Prince from the capital after taking on a new lover that was explicitly shown in newspapers throughout the country. The subjects mourned Elisabeth's absence but as the story went, she left Vienna with a very handsome duke; they all wished he would love her properly.
Franz was horrified by the publication of the newspaper and demanded it be removed from print but it was too late, he could not destroy every copy and his servants could not find Elisabeth. Sophie was enraged and with a slip of the tongue admitted plotting Franz’s affair and was thus removed from office.
Death sat in the soft inn bed, absentmindedly tracing the ornate sheath of the red dagger. Elisabeth returned it to him the first night, not wanting Rudolf to see the exchange.
He sighed, his dark eyes fixed on the flickering fire, he had never spent so much time in the realm of the living. His body was growing warm and his heart beat slowly in his chest, always quickening around Elisabeth. He sighed, setting the dagger on the bedside table and looking towards the door separating his room from the adjoining where Rudolf and Elisabeth slept.
Rudolf was looking much better than the day Death had met him, he had gained a little weight and his eyes were brighter, he no longer hung in the balance between life and death. Death was glad he would not have to separate the mother and her child yet but deep in his heart he knew Rudolf would die first.
He undid the top few buttons of his nightshirt and lied down, closing his eyes. He didn't need sleep but it was good to rest, keeping his physical form could be draining especially when he wanted to be viewed by others. He didn't want Elisabeth to be seen alone but more than that he didn't want her to be alone. She needed him even if she denied it. She was beginning to love him and it filled Death's heart with joy.
The next morning a weight smashed into Death's side, eliciting a startled yelp as he woke up. He twisted to see Rudolf leaning on him.
“Good morning, your majesty,” Death said, amused.
“Good morning! Mama said we would go to the lake today, will we? Will we?” Rudolf asked, bouncing on the bed.
Death sat up, pushing his long hair over his shoulders, replying, “If that is what she desires.”
Rudolf's grin somehow widened and he leapt off the bed, going to the door between the rooms before stopping and turning. He stood quietly, fidgeting with his thumbs, his gaze fixed on the floor.
“What is it?” Death said, taking the brush from the drawer in the side table.
Rudolf hesitated before saying, “I read a lot of picture books… in the palace while I was alone… about families…. Mama said Papa did something terrible, he never cared about me anyway. If I could choose my own father, I would choose you!”
The boy was gone the instant the words left his mouth, he didn't stay long enough to see Death's heart melt.
Death covered his mouth, attempting and failing to suppress the wide grin on his face. Part of him couldn't believe the emotions he had missed out on for the entirety of his existence, the other felt that it was wrong, that he should not become so involved with humans but he couldn't help it. They were too dear.
He prepared for the day with a smug contented grin, the pain in his ribs was still present but he didn't notice. He dressed in a deep blue velvet coat that touched the floor with white spider lilies embroidered in silver thread, and a silken black dress shirt, unbuttoned slightly to expose a black gemmed necklace.
Death looked at his reflection and deciding he looked up to Elisabeth's standards, he left his room and knocked on the door to hers. He had not forgotten the assault but he didn't think he had to worry about it happening again since it was driven by anger rather than lust.
Elisabeth opened the door, her hair was tied back in one loose braid behind the one across the top of her head. She wore a black lace blouse and a long skirt with ribbons and ruffles, the kind of outfit generally worn in white.
“Good morning,” she said, picking up her parasol from behind the door.
“Rudolf told me you would like to go to the lake,” Death said, watching the sway of her bustle as she went back to grab her fan from the table further in the room.
“Yes, he went down to the lobby already. Sztaray is with him. I would like to speak with you a moment.”
Death nodded and entered the room, closing the door behind himself. Elisabeth turned to face him and approached very slowly.
“When I was young, you saved my life,” she said, holding his gaze, “My father and mother told me I was hallucinating but you came again at my wedding. That time I was terrified but you came again didn't you?”
Death shifted, unsure of where she intended to take the conversation.
“You saved my life again the morning after my marriage, when I had tried to kill myself,” Elisabeth stepped forward and touched the dagger hidden in Death's coat. He didn't know she could even see it but she traced its form through the velvet.
“Then you helped me and Rudolf as well. I've never seen him happier. I've spent a lot of time with you now and I want to thank you for everything you've done for us. The best way I can think of is by returning what you have to me… your love.”
A soft smile touched her lips as she raised her hand to cup his cold cheek. Death took a deep trembling breath and closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. He longed to hold her now but he could not. He had promised he would take her when she requited his feelings but now wasn't the time.
“Mama! Are we leaving yet?” Rudolf's voice broke their intimate moment through the door and Death smiled.
“Just a minute,” Elisabeth called, grabbing her fan and parasol that she had dropped.
As she headed for the door she gave Death a quick kiss on the cheek and left before he had time to fully process what had happened. He grinned as he followed her out of the room, he had finally obtained her love, things were perfect in this moment as the three of them walked down the hall together. He wished this moment could last forever but a storm was brewing.