The Ball: Elisabeth

I heard a faint knocking on the door of our suite. I walked quickly to the door, trying to smooth my skirts as I pulled it open. I blinked in surprise as the Archduchess brushed past me into the room.

"Where is your mother child?" I opened my mouth to answer when mother came out of her room, her long hair falling about her shoulders, unpinned.

"Sophie, is something wrong?" I noticed the Archduchess quickly clench and unclench her hand as she moved toward my mother.

"Well…nothing is…wrong, perhaps, but I need to speak to you…in private." She had turned her cold eyes toward me as she finished her sentence. I curtseyed quickly and hurried into the side room I shared with Helene.

My sister turned from where she was brushing her hair before the vanity as I closed the door.

"Elisabeth? What's going on?"

"I'm not sure, the Archduchess is here…she seems upset about something."

I nervously chewed on my nails, then quickly knelt before the door, pressing my ear to the keyhole.

"Elisabeth you shouldn't!"

"I want to know what's going on!"

I pressed my ear to the keyhole again, straining to catch the women's voices. I could only hear faint mumbling at first, but then I suddenly heard the Archduchess' voice rise in what sounded like anger or frustration.

"Three years of training, experience, education and careful planning, all for nothing!"

"Sophie, you must calm yourself…we don't want to exaggerate this…"

"I have planned this marriage for years, thinking out every detail, and fully expecting Franz to follow dutifully."

I jumped as I felt Helene's hands grasp my shoulders as she pulled me from the door.

"Elisabeth, it is not for us to listen to their conversation. I'm sure it is nothing of great importance."

I groaned in frustration, wanting desperately to know what had made the Archduchess so upset. But I nodded at Helene and let her lead me back to the vanity.

I sighed as I finished helping my sister into her dress for the ball, praying that things would turn out well. But try as I might, I couldn't help but still feel the Archduchess' eyes boring into mine.

I stood in the corner, nervously tugging at one of my curls as I watched the ball unfold. The ball was held in a large, open room, just off of the main hall. The light from the candles reflected off of the glass windows and three large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Helene looked lovely, and it looked as though a little of her nervousness had begun to wear off. She was smiling, and making conversation. As long as mother wasn't breathing down her neck, Helene seemed able to take care of herself.

Suddenly I saw the Emperor, bowing to Helene, taking her hand to lead her out on the floor.

As I watched, I couldn't help but notice that my eyes continued to stray to the Emperor's face, to admire the graceful way that he danced. I shook my head, wondering what was wrong with me! I had never given a second thought to most men before, I didn't really understand why it was happening now.

I groaned in frustration as I felt my sash come loose again. I had tried in vain all night to keep my sash neatly tied around my waist, but for some reason the bow would not hold. Now I fiddled with it, sighing in frustration as I dropped the ribbon and quickly kneeling to retrieve it.

I was so distracted that I didn't notice someone walk over and stop before me. I looked up, and froze.

The Emperor was standing in front of where I was kneeling, his hand extended down to me.

"Miss Elisabeth, would you honor me with this dance?"

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. I knew that I should think things through, consider how this might complicate that plans that had been made, but his eyes had captivated me, and I couldn't refuse him.

"I…I would be honored."

I took his hand and allowed him to help me to my feet, still gazing into his eyes. He smiled as we both straightened, and lead me out into the center of the room.

As we began to dance, I felt a whirl inside my stomach. A part of me wondered how Helene or mother would react if they saw us dancing, and another part of me was in disbelief.

"You dance very well Miss Elisabeth."

"Uh…thank you…your highness."

I had no idea what to say to him, but he smiled at me reassuringly, his kind blue eyes locking with mine.

I don't know how long we danced, but it must have been for quite some time, because the next time I became aware of the room, a large number of the guests had left. I suddenly became very aware that both my mother and the Archduchess were watching us intently.

I felt myself color, and suddenly realized how long I had been dancing with the Emperor of Austria. I stopped, taking a few steps backward and clasping my hands in front of me.

"Forgive me…your highness….I…I didn't realize… I mean I…I just…"

"Elisabeth, don't worry about them. They do not control your life…or mine."

"But…the engagement…"

"I have not yet made anything final." I saw him look up for a moment, inclining his head towards his mother, then leading me by the hand off to the side, away from the few couples who were still dancing.

"Elisabeth, may I tell you something?"

"Yes, of course…. your highness."

"You do not need to address me by my title Elisabeth." He sighed a moment, clasping his hands behind his back as he spoke. I nervously fiddled with the sash that I still held in my hands.

"You see…to be completely honest, you have been on my mind from the moment I met you. I find you very unique, and I mean that as a compliment. You seem to know what you want in your life, and you offer a…a spark in you that I have not seen in many people."

He had circled around so he was behind me, and had leaned close to me. I felt a small tingle run down my spine as his breath ruffled my hair.

"I…I can't seem to focus when you're around. I have to remind myself to breathe…Elisabeth I…I think that I am falling in love with you."

I held in a slight gasp as he presented me with a very fine gold necklace, which had a tiny array of pearls and diamonds hanging from it. He spoke very softly as he draped the necklace around my neck and clasped it.

"Which is why…why I would like to ask you if you would consent to be my wife."

As he spoke, I felt a smile spread across my face. For a moment I couldn't believe what I had just heard. But I couldn't help but think of the tingly feeling I had gotten dancing with him, and I smiled as looked into his eyes, absently running one hand gently across the necklace, my heart giving a leap of joy as I turned to face him.

"Yes….yes I will!"

I saw his eyes light up, and I threw myself into his arms, forgetting all of the manners that mother had taught me. For a moment I could tell that I had taken the Emperor by surprise, I felt him stiffen for a moment, and then he returned my embrace, nearly lifting me off of my feet.

"Elisabeth, you don't know how happy you've made me!"

He set me down, taking a hold of my hands and spinning me around.

And for just a moment, I didn't care who saw us.