10. Pointless

Death knew he should have been glad about the decision of the once-Empress. It was not unusual for her to say more than the earthly Empress actually would have liked in this new world. So little time has passed, yet the woman has gone through things both terrifying and unpleasant. The majority of this was but your own creation, my beloved… Like so many times before, he wished he could open her eyes or at least show the dazzling woman the right way. Still, the Dark Prince, unwilling to face her reaction, remained silent about it.

In the human realm, years before the terrible tragedy Elisabeth was possibly to be painfully reminded of again, he had often found her struggle to negate the obvious connection between them amusing. However, it was not a proper thing to consider at that moment, let alone speak about it.

There were other things he was to suggest her… and he could but hope she would refuse the possibility. Death still had severe doubts about even mentioning the woman to her. For all that he knew, Elisabeth had never met Rudolf's lover in person… While one of many for the crown prince, the young Mary surely was going to bring back all of the heart-breaking memories. It has only made him want to hide the fact from her – he was uneasy about the idea, not knowing how the rebellious one was going to take it. But, contrary to what his mind was urging him to do, the Dark Prince chose to take the harder path. He was not going to lie to her.

"I have been meaning to tell you," he stopped, as if uncertain… only to see there was no way back, as Elisabeth turned back to face him, her big orbs shining with foreboding. Hoping she was mistaken, the woman spoke, unable to back away traces of perturbation so easy to hear in her voice.

"Tell me what?"

There it comes. "There is one woman wanting to talk to you-

Elisabeth was surprised, having already begun to believe there were no servants in the enormous house the two stayed in. A woman? Someone other than you, other than someone from my past? She could not say if the news had a positive or a negative effect on her. It depended on many things… "Who is she?"

"Mary Vetsera," he spoke, following her eyes. Death hoped Elisabeth would not remember ever hearing the name… Then he saw her grow tense. The memories were quickly returning, even without having met the woman… The lord of the dead realised his mistake, but it was too late already.

After an unpleasant heavy pause, Elisabeth took a breath, having realised she had heard the name – and if her memories served her right, the woman had at least something to do with the most painful experience from her human past. With the loss of her son. For a moment, both Death and Elisabeth had the same idea in mind. "I told her it was unlikely you would want to see her," he spoke assuredly, but realised his mistake the very next moment, meeting her glare.

"Why exactly wouldn't I want to see her?" Her irresistible intonation only assured Death he needed to be more careful with taking guesses. Of course. I should have known.

She had the perfect reason to be furious with her companion then. He had been making decisions for her. For the one who had turned towards Death believing, knowing he would have never crossed the line between her world and his, this has been a grave fault. Still, the look he gave her, a mixture of apology, encouragement and admiration, seemed to have soothed her. For that moment.

Sisi could not say she was burning with the wish to meet the girl, but she might have had more reasons than simply wanting to face her. Besides, it would be the first time she got to talk to someone other than Death in this universe… "What does she want?"

"I don't know. Maybe she only wishes to see you." Sisi saw he wasn't lying.

Elisabeth froze, feeling her self-assurance disappearing. If Death does not know it, who does? "You must be making fun of me." Her voice was barely audible. She was afraid of what was waiting for her. What kind of new things she was to learn about the one she had been ignoring completely? About the woman that had played an important role in her son's life, possibly more important than that of his wife…

Death was following her closely. Her facial expression suggested panic and fear – not about the woman, but about the unpleasant things, many of which she would not want to know? Especially since all of these things were long gone? Never gone for a mother, his mind shouted.

"I could accompany you, Elisabeth," he spoke to her, his voice sweet and soft, yet with a shade of indifference. Believing she was going to reject the proposal, Death was following her calmly, knowing he had the means to follow everything that was happening in this world... And the Earth, but it was not half as important now that she was there with him.

"Please do," she uttered the two words with audible desperation. I have no other choice. Sisi knew having Death by her side would at least make her feel safe.

As if having heard her thoughts, the Dark Prince took her by the hand. "Do you want to go there now?"

"Yes. Yes, please," her voice sounded almost broken.

"Calm down, Elisabeth," he smiled, pressing her hand. "Close your eyes."

The miraculous effect of Death's whisper has helped her immensely. More than that, she could feel a small smile on her lips when she saw the said young woman, Mary, approaching.

"Your Majesty?" An uncertain voice addressed her. Elisabeth looked up to see the girl frightened no less than she might have been in a similar situation… Strangely, she felt like calming the uneasy girl down. She looked younger than Elisabeth… however, she was not half as dazzling. Prettier than Stéphanie, anyway…

"It is nice to meet you," she felt her self-assurance returning. "Marie?"

"They call me Mary, your Majesty." The girl was uneasy, knowing very well that she had to be careful not to say anything improper – Death himself had warned her about that. She might have tried, but the Dark Prince was there with them. Mary did not dare to look at him.

Your Majesty? The girl was lacking creativity, Sisi noted, smiling at her. "Your smile is beautiful," she spoke. "I can see why Rudolf had chosen you over that Belgian…" the tone was as light as the Empress could manage.

Death shook his head in disbelief. He had asked the woman not to bring up the subject for as long as possible, but the Empress has brought it up herself…

So be it. Pressing her hand harder, Death gave Elisabeth an encouraging look.