A New Torture: Elisabeth

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After that moment there was always a bit of tension between Franz and I. It slithered, just out of sight, leaving for long periods of time and then suddenly making itself known again.

I could tell he was trying to change though. He sometimes went out of his way to run into me in the corridors and sometimes he came and watched as The Archduchess continued to mold me into an Empress.

Time seem to pass in a whirl around me, the rest of the world seeming to zoom past while I stood apart, trying to catch up. There were times when everything seemed so surreal, I had to remind myself that everything that had happened hadn't been a dream.

Soon Franz and I had a daughter, Sophie. She had soft brown hair and wide brown eyes. I loved her with all of my heart. About two years after Sophie was born I had another child, Gisela. She had hair that was almost white and the same brown eyes as her sister.

After Sophie had been born I had begun to hope that my life had taken a turn for the better. With the children Franz would make it a priority to spend time with all of us, if only for a few minutes. While Sophie was not pleased that I had not yet given birth to a son and heir, she had not made any move to challenge me.

All of that changed two months after Gisela was born.

"What are you doing?"

I stood with my hand on the doorknob, having entered our bedroom to find two servants pushing the babies' cribs towards the door. The Archduchess turned to face me, an all too familiar sneer on her lips.

"Simply making a few changes my dear."

I stood frozen as she walked forward a few steps, watching her warily.

"After consulting with the doctor and the children's teachers I have decided that it would be best if both of the children were placed under my supervision. They will receive training which befits their status will become well-educated young ladies under my teaching."

I felt a flame spark to life somewhere in my gut and I strode past the Archduchess, picking up Gisela from her basonet and cradling her against my chest.

"You can't do this! I won't let you take them from me!"

"I assure you dear I will allow you to visit them on a regular basis…"

"They are MY children!"

"And I am the Archduchess of Austria and I say that I know what is best for these children."

She was standing in front of me now, her eyes glaring into mine.

"Do not challenge me Elisabeth, I can do much worse than educating your children."

I continued to glare at her, holding my ground and refusing to let her intimidate me.

"I see" she stated matter-of-factly, turning away from me and folding Sophie's blankets.

"You may have my son wrapped around your finger, your highness, but it will take more than your stubborn will to control me. I did not want to let it come to this, but I see that you must be taught the hard way."

She snapped her fingers and the servants returned, the woman by the door was already holding Sophie on her hip. The second woman moved to take Gisela from me and I took a step back, shaking my head.

Suddenly I felt fingers on my shoulders, digging into my skin. From behind me The Archduchess motioned with her head and the woman came forward again. The Archduchess reached around me and grabbed my wrists, forcing my fingers from the baby.

I struggled slightly as the servant walked towards the door holding Gisela, but the Archduchess held fast, her fingers gripping my arms.

"You must learn Elisabeth," she told me sternly

"You must learn that your life is not your own, you are an Empress and as such you must make…sacrifices."

She released me, giving me a slight push as she stepped away from me. I stood still, all of the energy drained from my body as tears filled my eyes.

"You daughters will become fine young ladies," the Archduchess' voice floated back to me from the door.

"I will make sure of that."

The click of the door echoed inside of the room, the sound seeming to last for minute before fading into the air.

I felt my knees buckle and I sank to the floor, my forehead almost touching the ground. Tears leaked from my eyes as I thought of the Archduchess having control of my children, my daughters.

Soon I felt that someone else was in the room with me, though I didn't have the will to lift my head and see who was there. I felt as though all of my strength had suddenly left me, leaving me weak and defenseless.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and could see from the corner of my eye the trail of a long black coat brushing the ground. I heard the soft swish of fabric as the figure dropped to its knees beside me, the hand still on my shoulder. I heard a familiar voice close to my ear, sounding almost apologetic. A vague melody floated to me, seeming like a soft puff of air on my skin.

"Elisabeth….Elisabeth."

I slowly grasped his hand in mine as I turned my head meeting a pair of ice blue eyes that held a surprising look of sympathy and apology in them. For a moment I simply gazed into those eyes, relieved and grateful that someone was with me.

Finally all of the emotion that was left in me was released. I sank into Der Tod's arms, sobbing out loud now, feeling his gentle touch on my hair. He never said anything, he simply knelt there, consoling me and gently humming in my ear.

For the first time in a long time I was glad that he was there.

I had missed him.