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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 15:25:24 GMT -5
*She gave him a searching look, earnestly hopeful, but cautious.*
"...Rudolf...we've always been friends, no matter what. I'm so afraid of destroying that."
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 15:55:32 GMT -5
"Can we not have both?"
*He reached up, and gently tucked an errant strand of her hair behind her ear*
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 16:25:01 GMT -5
"I...I don't know..." *she stammered, flushing under his gaze.*
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 16:28:02 GMT -5
"Becca...either way, I will love you. Friends or beyond."
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 16:35:05 GMT -5
"...by feelings alone, Rudolf...I do love you...I've always loved you. I will always love you."
*She tried to smile.*
"But there's more than feelings to consider if we were to--."
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 16:38:41 GMT -5
*Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her rather passionately*
"...be married?"
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 16:40:15 GMT -5
*Becca melted into the kiss--how could she help it?--but as they drew apart she looked absolutely terrified.*
"I...I...we...you...shouldn't."
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 16:44:06 GMT -5
"Why shouldn't I? I've been in a marriage of politics before--it earned me nothing but heartache. If I am to have a wife, it should be for the right reason..."
*He gently touched her cheek*
"...for love."
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 16:48:46 GMT -5
"I have been in a marriage for love, Rudolf...and it ended in heartache as well," *she said softly.* "There's no escaping it."
*She took his hand and squeezed it gently, but moved it from her cheek as she held it.*
"...and for us it could never wholly be for love alone."
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 17:00:48 GMT -5
*He sighed*
"Becca...I don't know what to say. You are all I want...for wife, for even to govern beside me. I think if any woman could survive the mire of Austrian politics, it would be you. And you are the only one I could truly love."
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 17:06:02 GMT -5
"I'm touched...and honoured that you would believe in me...to be so--"
*She broke off and moved away a step, crossing her arms as she mulled over her next words.*
He deserves to know.
"Rudolf, if I...tell you something...will you promise--and abide by that promise--that you will not let it cloud any previous judgment of me? That it will change nothing between us?"
...impossible. You ask him the impossible.
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 17:11:12 GMT -5
"I promise, Becca." He said, brow furrowing.
What could it be that she had to tell him?
"I doubt there is something that could change my mind."
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 17:13:36 GMT -5
"I have children, Rudolf. Twins. By Philippe. I went back to him...over a year ago, now."
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Post by Rudolf on May 31, 2008 17:20:34 GMT -5
"I...see." His voice wavered, but when he spoke again, it was once more steady.
"I could hardly expect you to cloister yourself somewhere like a nun. I don't blame you. You shouldn't have to be alone."
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Post by Rebecca on May 31, 2008 17:27:28 GMT -5
"It...I...I couldn't help loving him. He was the first man I ever loved, Rudolf. There was no escaping that. I loved you both and I hated myself for it," *she said, her voice breaking slightly before she continued.*
"The second time...we were wiser...both of us, though even he didn't know some of the things I--" *she cleared her throat.*
"We both knew he was dying. I knew I could make him happy, in the end...and he could make me happy, for a while."
*Her eyes had filled with tears at the memories, and the still-fresh heartache. It had been months now, and still, she wore black.*
"One more day...had he lived one more day...he would have seen his children born. I've never felt so alone as I have in these past months, even with my parents..."
*She hugged herself. It had been excruciating, but clearly Rudolf didn't want to hear about her agony over another man.*
"I've missed you. So much." *she whispered.*
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