Chapter Text
Elisabeth looked at the image, her eyes becoming dull. She crumpled it slowly and said in a low voice, “if that's how it's going to be… I might as well…do the same.”
In a burst of strength she grabbed the doctor and forced him down onto the lounge, taking off his hat and grabbing his coat.
“Elisabeth!”
She stopped, hesitating as she stared at Death lying beneath her in shock.
“It might as well be with you… it doesn't matter who,” Elisabeth leaned down and kissed him.
Death tried to push her away gently but she would not move so he forcefully pushed her off of himself, swiftly standing up with his back to her, his breathing heavy and his body trembling.
“Don't you want me?” Elisabeth asked, her voice lacking any spirit.
Death could not bring himself to face her and said slowly, “Elisabeth…. I can help you… but not like this. I want your love not…”
He took a deep breath, turning around and kneeling beside the lounge, “I will not accept your love if it is only a means to make the emperor jealous.”
“How can you help me?” She said, shifting to sit more comfortably.
“Leave Vienna with me, make sure everyone sees it. Bring Rudolf as well, I'll wait by the palace entrance this evening,” Death said, drawing from his pocket the dagger he always carried with him since the morning after Elisabeth's marriage, “I’ll return this to you for now… I would like to have it back once we set off.”
Elisabeth took the crimson dagger in its sheath and held it. She remembered fainting that day but now she wondered if perhaps Death had been there, that she had died.
She gave a nod and looked away from his enchanting dark eyes, feeling ashamed of how she had acted towards him and what must he think of her, “I'm sorry… I shouldn't have….”
“You're not thinking straight,” he said, picking up the photograph from the floor, “It will pass. A change of scenery will soothe your pain.”
Elisabeth nodded and stood, saying, “I will go prepare.”
“I have matters to attend to, but have your servants do the work, rest as much as you can,” Death said, picking up his hat and fixing his coat.
With that they parted ways. Death hesitated just outside her door, touching his lips. He had never once expected her to assault him in such a way, his heart ached at what she had become since entering the palace but he reassured himself that soon with the freedom she longed for, her spirits would return.
He went to the cafe and sought out Elemer, taking him to the side and handing him the photograph.
“What is this?” The man asked, looking up in flustered confusion.
“I need you to spread a story,” Death said, his voice holding a hidden power unnoticed by most, “The emperor has taken on a lover and has forced the empress and the crown prince from the palace.”
Elemer nodded, but asked, “is this true?”
“Yes, I shall personally escort the empress from the capital but understand that if you attempt to harm her in any way, your life will be brought to a swift and painful end.”
The revolutionist was a little confused but made no comment, instead tucking the picture in his pocket and exiting through the back door.
Death arranged a coach and changed his clothes to a dark purple velvet coat with white gems embedded in the collar and around the sleeve cuffs.
He stood by the gate and waited, counting the seconds. His hopes were not high, he wouldn't be surprised if Elisabeth decided against going with him, it was an impossible choice he was forcing her to make.
The sun hung low in the sky when Death began to pace again, he had hidden his presence from the guards and passersby so they would not remove him for suspicious activity. He looked towards the sun once more and gave a sigh but then he heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Elisabeth and the young prince Rudolf approaching, surrounded by servants.
Upon seeing who it was, Rudolf ran forward and said, “Mr friend! Me and Mama will be leaving the palace, will we be able to meet again?”
Death looked towards Elisabeth and smiled, ruffling the boy's hair and saying, “I'll be coming with you. I've arranged a coach nearby, shall we be off then?”
Elisabeth held her fan in front of her face, saying, “Yes, let's go.”
Rudolf rushed ahead as Death indicated the direction, his maids hurrying to keep up. Death took Elisabeth's arm and slowed his long strides to keep pace with her.
“You've met Rudolf before?” She asked, her face still pale and solemn.
“A few times, yes,” Death replied, “he was very lonely so I played with him and kept him company.”
Elisabeth looked at him doubtfully but shook her head. Rudolf was in high spirits and clearly had not been killed although she didn't imagine the lord of the underworld was a good playmate.
Death understood her thoughts and sighed, he truly was good with children. He had to be in order to comfort the souls of the very young who passed but he didn't think he could convince her of it until she saw him in action.
When they reached the carriage, Death helped the mother and son in, getting in himself and sitting down across from them. One maid accompanied them inside, the others would take a different carriage.
“Where will we go?” Elisabeth asked, watching as the carriage slowly began to move.
“Nowhere in particular,” Death replied, resting his chin on his fist, “Bavaria is a loose destination but we will of course make stops along the way, as many as you would like. And changing destination is always an option.”
A ghost of a smile touched Elisabeth's lips and Death's heart fluttered. He was glad in a way about everything that had happened to result in this. Rudolf looked out the window excitedly, enjoying his first trip outside the palace and while he was not Death's son, Death had made up his mind that he would treat him as though he were his own blood. If Elisabeth ever did accept his love, he wasn't sure they would be able to have children so having Rudolf nearby eased that worry and need.
Looking at them from across the carriage, Death knew that this would be his family and nothing would keep them from him.