Guilt: Franz Joseph

Sorry that's been a bit since I last posted, things were crazy for a bit! I appreciate all of your reviews! Keep them coming! Here's some more Franz Joseph for you!

I stopped in the corridor just outside of Elisabeth's door. I clenched my fist as I pictured the hurt and disbelief in her eyes as I had left her with my mother. I had noticed the satisfied look on Sophie's face as I had walked out of the room, and I almost turned around and went back to my wife.

But then I heard my father's voice in my head, telling me that a good Emperor was strong Emperor, a man who refused to let anything shake him, no matter how difficult things may seem.

I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair as I began to walk forward again. I loved Elisabeth, but I knew that she had learned nothing to prepare to be an Empress and now she must cram years of training into a few months. If I let himself butt heads with mother because of my affection for Elisabeth I feared that Elisabeth would never learn all she needed to know as Empress.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temples. I had been at work all afternoon and was starting to get a headache. As I stood up I heard a voice in the room adjacent to my private office. It was mother's voice and I could tell by the tone that she was angry.

"Love makes him blind" I heard her mutter and I stood still while she continued, her voice escalating in pitch.

"Franz doesn't know what he's doing! He doesn't listen to me. Why did it have to be her? Whenever I look at her I become furious. She has destroyed all of my plans. She isn't the one for Franz!"

I felt myself flush with anger and couldn't take any more as I opened the door with a snap. I heard mother take a sharp intake of breath and then she slowly turned to face me. I only glared at her as she sank into a curtsey.

"Your highness" She said curtly as she raised her head to look at me. I looked at my mother a moment more before brushing stiffly past her and out of the room.

I shook my head as I climbed the stairs, my fist clenching as I recalled mother's words.

What bothered me most though weren't just my mother's angry words, but it was the gossip that I had heard from others ever since the wedding. Although they had tried to be discreet, I had managed to hear talk at the reception ball.

"She's very sweet, touchingly naïve! And soft as wax, though she didn't speak much."

"She does look nice…"

"She really is charming!"

"New to the court, simple to lead. We'll have an easy game with her!"

The words echoed in my head, whirling through my mind in an endless circle.

"Her family tree has two blemishes…"

"That we will overlook!"

"A child still, that's a bad omen!"

"In the Treasury the crown fell to the floor…"

"She is friendly and shy, though somewhat clumsy…"

'And at her alighting from the coach the young Empress almost lost her new diadem!"

"It's almost like a fairy tale…a child becomes Empress."

"Red-rimmed eyes, awkward and honest. So charmingly helpless like a sheep, she carries no weight here…she is a small light."

"She does not fit in here."

This last comment echoed the loudest and I groaned in exasperation and shook my head violently, freeing myself from my thoughts.

I stood before my bedroom door, taking a moment to compose myself. Finally I turned the handle and stepped into the room, softly closing the door behind me.

I saw Elisabeth sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands folded in her lap, her head down. As I took a step forward she lifted her head and met my gaze. The look in her eyes nearly broke my heart. There was sadness, loneliness and disappointment all mixed in her brown orbs.

I did not know what to say to her. I crossed the room slowly, sinking down on the bed beside her. She looked away from me and I reached out, cupping her chin with my hand and turning her head to face me.

"Elisabeth…I am sorry…" I paused, lightly letting my fingers brush her cheek. "I love you, Elisabeth."

I saw a faint smile cross her lips as she brought her own hand up and grasped mine. I leaned forward and kissed her first on the forehead, then on the lips. She ran her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer to her as she returned my kiss.

All at once the moment was broken by a loud knock on the door. I pulled away reluctantly and stood as a younger man of the court entered the room.

"Yes?"

"Forgive me, majesties…Emperor, you are needed at once in the formal chamber."

"Can it not wait until morning?"

"I apologize but…it can not wait your highness."

I sighed, turning to Elisabeth and grasping both of her hands.

"Until later…I love you."

I could feel her eyes following me as I walked from the room and I turned and gave her a small smile just before closing the door.

At that moment, I did not want to be the Emperor, did not want the obligations and duties. I wanted to be a man, an ordinary man.