**
"Maximilian?"
I blink at her silently. She just called my name. By my name. Instead of feeling repulsed and detested by that sound I instead can't feel anything anymore. All I can see is her.
My breath stops for a moment again. Just like back i...
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"I am not canceling the engagement." His father says sternly, end of discussion. Maximilian retorts, falling out of step as he looks at his father. "But father, I don't want to marry her. I wish to marry Ludovika, she loves me, and I love her. I don't want to marry that woman." he spits out the words as he imagines Elizabeth.
His father sighs, slamming the papers he was holding on his desk. "Listen, Maximilian, I don't care whether or not you want to marry her or not. I am doing what is best for this empire, and so should you. You are to be an emperor. I don't approve of Ludovika, I don't like her. She is manipulative and obsessive. You have never seen that side of her." Maximilian grits his teeth, throwing murderous glances at his father.
"Do not speak about her like that. You don't know anything about her, father. She is kind, and the most gentle woman I've ever known. Whatever you are saying about her is not true. But do you want to know who is manipulative and obsessive? That woman you want me to marry." He feels an unknown anger when he thinks of Elizabeth now.
They used to be friends, talking and spending time together. But now since she doesn't want anything to do with him, she just discards him like they weren't close enough.
"She played with my feelings, father." His body trembles as he speaks now. "I hate her, I cannot be in a marriage with her at all. I don't think I can ever stand her presence, or her words, or her silent nature, or- or-" he was fishing for more words to use, to describe his hatred for her, but he can't find anything. He curses under his breath in frustration.
"Well, you can continue trying to cancel the engagement, and I will Continue declining your request. End of discussion, Maximilian. You can fool around with whoever you want, but just know that you will be marrying Elizabeth in the end. I don't have all day to be discussing this with you. I have to go to a meeting now." His father stands up, collecting the papers on his desk and walks past the prince who stands demented, torn apart. Anger and hatred consuming him whole, his fists curl up into balls. He had to do something about this engagement. And hurt that woman, to the point where she will be crying at his feet.
Ludovika had asked Maximilian to come and spend some time with her at a cafe. There were some new cakes brought in from abroad that everyone praised all around.
"Your highness, please try this one! I assure you this one tastes amazing." She exclaims, spooning a bit of cake and bringing it to his mouth, but Maximilian was acting distant the entire time, thinking of other things. He didn't even notice Ludovika trying to speak to him and feed him some cake. Ludovika narrows her eyes slightly at his coldness, and lightly touches his arm.
"Your highness?" She smiles gently, one that didn't reach her eyes and didn't show any happiness, as she looked at him with eyes round with curiosity. "What's wrong? You're feeling so distant. If there's anything happening, just know that I am here for you. I love you, and care for you, I could do anything for you." She adds the last part, to lead him in a direction. Maximilian stirs from his distraught self, and focuses on Ludovika.
