The Crown

Lover's Last Touch

Warning: This chapter features death. Please be careful! (Sorry if  I did not spot any mistakes.)

Antonia jerked awake. She placed a light hand on the stomach of the body beside her, reassuring herself that it was still there.

Victoria blinked sleepily, half awake.

"Morning, sunshine!" Antonia tried to make her voice not sound so strained, but the weight of what she was about to do was slowly dragging her down. She hoped Victoria didn't notice.

Said woman made an attempt to sit up. Antonia stopped her by placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I'll take care of breakfast today."

"Hmm, ok..." Victoria had her eyes closed. "But make sure to try and make Molly eat something too."

"I... will."

"Good." With that, Victoria's breath evened out completely.

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Antonia hesitated in front of Molly's (and Gigi's) door. She herd her own steps on the wooden floor and, at least this once, she wouldn't tumble trough the still closed door if she tried to knock. Yet, she still hesitated.

With each moment that passed, two voices were raising inside her, both trying to scream louder than the other. The first was older, more established, feeding off the anger and frustration that lingered on after years of unjust imprisonment. The second, a small seed of hope, a precious beckon of light, made her remember the pretty blush on Victoria's face, their intertwined fingers. It pleaded for the start of something new, something more beautiful than she had ever known.

But then again, what did she know? The cold of metal against her palm as she watched the life outside her jeweled prison, the life that would never again welcome her into its folds. Her hand limply fell to her side.

Antonia could hear the echoes of her own screams, growing and growing with each tap of her heels against the floor. The light diminished.

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Antonia hummed to herself as she stretched to reach the small red box on the highest shelf. She shook it slightly, listening to see if there was any powder left. She had enough.

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"She didn't want to eat, did she?"

"No."

Victoria sighed sadly as she took her seat beside Antonia. The blue eyed woman felt a sharp jab of guilt. She squeezed the other's hand.

"I made eggs."

Victoria offered her a small smile, making the wings of a butterfly flutter in Antonia's heart.

"Did you make mine with salt?"

"Huh? What? Oh... yeah."

As she chewed, Victoria could tell it tasted off but she swallowed bite after bite anyway. Instead of addressing the food, the blonde decided to approach something else:

"When Richard died, you said something about him being... your brother?"

"Oh, yes." Antonia nodded. "Being an older sister wasn't easy, you know? I try to forget about those days."

"How could you have been his sister at all, Tonie? Let alone older than him. He was an old man, and you barely look twenty."

"I am nineteen actually."

"What?! You're even younger than I first thought you were. Even younger than me."

Antonia couldn't help but laugh. Victoria pouted at her. Suddenly, the dark woman grinned.

"Think you can keep up with someone so young? At your age and all that..."

"Oh, I can certainly try."

Victoria leaned in, taking the lead for the first and last time.

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"Well that was... something." Antonia panted.

"Something good, I hope?" Victoria asked, with a smug grin.

Antonia blushed, looking away.

The blonde woman stretched, yawning.

"Maybe I am getting older." Victoria grimaced. "I don't feel too great. I'll see you later, alright?"

"Of course, darling." Antonia gazed down, forcing the sensation of horrified guilt back. "I'll keep you safe."

Victoria smiled, her eyes fluttering closed.

Antonia grit her teeth, eyes closed, as the last words spoken to her lover still hunted her. The dark haired woman swallowed, forcing herself to look.

The body –Victoria- looked relaxed. Antonia made a pained noise as she touched her lover's cheek. She clutched the still warm other against herself tightly.

"I'm sorry!" Antonia cried, and the woman knew those were the sincerest words she had ever spoken. The cold, evermore hungry hand of revenge, the only thing that fueled her survival for many years, was still pushing her forward. She had to continue.

Antonia kissed her lover one last time. The darkhaired woman straightened, trying to smile through pitiful tears. What she hadcraved was almost in her hand. This was what she wanted... right?