The Decision

I was unsure of which point of view to write this chapter from, the last chapter was in Elisabeth's POV and the chapter after this will be in Der Tod's POV. I didn't want two chapters in a row told by the same person. So my solution is going to be to write this chapter using all three character's points of view. Just thought I'd clear that up in case there was any confusion! Also, I could not find the translation for Der Tod's section near the end of the song, so I improvised. Please read and review!

Franz Joseph

For three nights I had gone with very little sleep, Elisabeth's words running through my head in an endless cycle.

"If you don't want to lose me, fulfill it."

I honestly had no idea what to do. I loved Elisabeth but I loved my mother also. Elisabeth had fallen in love with me for who I was instead of falling in love with my title. She made me happy in a way I had never experienced before. But my mother had raised me and had contributed a great deal to the success I had gained as Emperor. But in the end I realized that I could not see myself living a life without Elisabeth.

I sighed, shaking my head as I began to climb the stairs heading to Elisabeth's suite. Over the past moth a commotion had been stirred up among the people regarding their new Empress. Somehow it had been discovered that Elisabeth's latest beauty treatment involved bathing in milk. As a result, the supplies of milk distributed to the people had dwindled and tempers had flared. I had no idea how the information had reached the ears of the people, but I was worried with thoughts of riots breaking out and threats being made against Elisabeth. The thought of losing her filled me with utter dread and reinforced my feelings that accepting the ultimatum was the right thing to do.

I knocked sharply, the noise sounding oddly hollow through the door. I was slightly surprised when my mother opened the door and allowed me to enter. I noticed as I crossed the threshold that Elisabeth was nowhere in main bedroom, though I could hear a few voices coming from a room off to my right.

"Where is Elisabeth? I need to speak to her." I saw my mother's eyes narrow slightly and I wondered for the first time if she knew of the ultimatum.

"Franz, my what a surprise to see you at this hour…"

"Mother please, I must speak with my wife, it's important." She sighed gesturing lightly with one hand as she walked past me to the door.

"She hasn't finished her beauty care yet your Majesty, but you can talk to her. She's behind the screen in the next room, she'll be able to hear you."

"Thank you" I responded curtly as I heard the door fall shut behind her. I straightened myself, tucking the ultimatum into my pocket and walking slowly into the next room. I could hear slight movement behind the large black screen that covered one corner of the room. I cleared my throat and pulled aside the two serving women who had appeared from behind the screen.

"Please, leave us, I have an important matter I must discuss with the Empress…alone."

The two women nodded and quietly left the room. Now it was just Elisabeth and I. I sighed, walking forward and laying my hand lightly on the black material of the screen.

"Elisabeth…I just want to tell you…that I accept your conditions. I can't take not being loved by you anymore. Please, whatever you want, I'll give it to you before I lose you."

I took a step back and began to pace, my hands clasped behind my back as I continued to speak. I needed to get everything out at one time, before any more arguments got in our way.

"I have been trained to rule, trained to suppress my emotions. I am not permitted to feel, but when I think about you…I can't be calculating anymore, I can't be distracted by anything else. I will not be loyal only to myself anymore…I must be loyal to you as well."

I paused, hating the heavy silence that had descended upon the room. Just when I thought that she would not answer me she stepped out from behind the screen. I felt my breath leave me and my heart skip a beat as I gazed at her. She was wearing a large, elaborate white gown, covered in small golden stars. There were larger stars woven into her hair and she carried a small white fan that complimented the dress. She was stunning and I was speechless.

Elisabeth

I sighed as one of the servants emptied the last pail of milk into the bathtub. I had been skeptical of this beauty method, but The Archduchess had insisted that it would do wonders for my skin.

Once again my thoughts traveled to Franz Joseph. Ever since I had given him my ultimatum he had retreated from me. I hated to see him unhappy, but I needed my free will returned to me.

As I was being helped out of the bathtub and into my gown I heard voices coming from the other room. Soon I heard footsteps entering the room and the sound of someone clearing their throat. As my servants left I listened, recognizing Franz Joseph's voice.

I sat down at the small vanity behind the screen as listened to him sigh. I placed my hand on the rough fabric of the screen, listening carefully as he began to speak.

"Elisabeth…I just want to tell you…that I accept your conditions. I can't take not being loved by you anymore."

I closed my eyes with pain as I heard that sentence.

Is that what you think? That I don't love you?

"Please, whatever you want, I'll give to you before I lose you."

I heard him moving on the other side of the screen, could see the shadows his feet made on the carpet as he paced back and forth. I slowly pined a few loose curls to my head as he continued speaking, his words slightly hurried as his voice became a little louder.

"I have been trained to rule, trained to suppress my emotions. I am not permitted to feel, but when I think about you…I can't be calculating anymore…I can't be distracted by anything else. I will not be loyal to myself anymore…I must be loyal to you as well."

I took a deep breath as I slowly stood up, realizing just how hard this decision had to have been for Franz Joseph. I flipped open my fan, gathering myself before I stepped out from behind the screen. I smiled slightly as he turned around and froze when he saw me. His eyes went wide and he simply stared at me for a moment. I took a step forward, my voice strong as I began to speak.

"Franz…if I must understand you, you have to understand me too. I want to be with you, I love you. Please, don't put me in a cage any longer."

As I was speaking I saw a slight movement in the shadows to the right of Franz Joseph. I paused, my breath catching in my throat as the familiar figure took a step into view, his white-blond hair a stark contrast to the black of the room. I had honestly not expected to see him again after my outburst, but there was a part of me that was relieved that he had not disappeared from my life. There was a glint in his eyes as he started speaking as well, his voice soft but his words determined. I continued to speak over his voice, though I found it difficult not to become transfixed by his honeyed words.

Der Tod

I watched, invisible in the shadows as Franz Joseph entered the room, a nervous look on his face. I must admit I smiled as I saw him walk cautiously towards the screen hiding Elisabeth. I liked to see him sweat.

After the scene in Elisabeth's bedroom, I did not know what to think. She had pushed me away so abruptly, so roughly that I almost believed that she had meant what she said. But then I laughed at myself, who was she, a mortal woman, to tell me how her life would continue? I am death. I listen to no one and in the end they all find me, like it or not.

I had watched Franz Joseph contemplating over this decision and I wanted to be there when he accepted Elisabeth's ultimatum. I wanted to see her reaction and I wanted to remind her that no matter where she ran I would always be there. She would be mine.

So now, as I watched Franz Joseph pacing back and forth like a wild animal trapped in a cage, I smiled. I could sense the tension that rested between them, judging from the flow of Franz Joseph's words and the silence behind the screen.

Indeed, this was the first major step in my plans for Elisabeth. By putting her ultimatum into action, Elisabeth would ultimately begin distancing herself even more from Franz Joseph. She would have her freedom and as a result would spend more and more of her time away from her husband. It was perfect. She would distance herself from that world of luxury and finally realize the value of the world I offered her.

When she stepped out from behind the screen I froze, not able to take my eyes off of her. Even as an immortal I felt my heart stop for a split second. I knew she was beautiful, very beautiful, but now she seemed like an entirely different being. She looked like the sun itself, radiating her brilliance over everything she came into contact with. She was exquisite.

I took a step forward into the light as she began to speak. I saw her eyes widen slightly as she recognized me and I thought I could read some relief in her brown orbs. She paused for a moment and when she continued speaking it seemed as though her words were meant for both Franz Joseph and myself.

"You don't have to give me anything…but please, leave me my life, because I only belong to me."

I had started speaking at the same time, my voice soft and encouraging. My words were meant only for her ears.

"Which heart do your eyes truly see? Who is it you long for? Tomorrow is past and a new day is ready to begin. Your soul will fly up to meet mine, entangled forever in the dark. Now is the time"

I had moved into the center of the room, the halfway point between Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. My hand was reaching out to her. Much to my displeasure Franz Joseph was standing very much in the same position: His hand reaching towards Elisabeth as well. For a moment she paused, I knew she could see both of us. Then she took a few tentative steps towards Franz Joseph, refusing to meet my gaze. I felt my stomach lurch as she moved towards him, stopping a few feet before Franz Joseph. I responded to her last words now, not with softness, but with a hard and purposeful tone. I would get through to her!

"I belong…"

"You belong…"

We finished our sentence together, our voices equally strong as Franz Joseph's voice penetrated the moment.

"Elisabeth…"

"To me!"