Elizabeth's mind swirled with Lady Margot's cruel words, each one piercing her heart like a shard of glass. She sat alone in her quarters, staring at the dim candlelight, the room quiet save for her shallow breathing. Lady Margot's scornful voice echoed in her thoughts:
"You're nothing but a passing amusement, a toy to be discarded."
The words sank deep, stirring the darkest doubts she'd kept hidden. How foolish had she been, even for a moment, to imagine herself close to him? She reminded herself she was Elizabeth Osborne, a girl with no title, a mere servant in this grand palace. Her family had never shown her warmth; her siblings had been distant at best, cruel at worst. But here, in Emperor Ludwig's palace, she'd found some slivers of kindness—even if they were only illusions.
Elizabeth stood, moving to the small window where the first glimmers of dawn were creeping over the horizon. She'd been awake all night, her mind weighed down by Lady Margot's taunts. She gripped the windowsill, staring out at the gardens she'd spent so many days tending. A dizzy wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she blinked, trying to clear her thoughts.
But Lady Margot's voice still haunted her.
"He finds it amusing to watch you follow him like a lost puppy…nothing but a plaything…"
Elizabeth's heart throbbed painfully. She knew she could never be more than a servant in Ludwig's eyes, a simple girl with nothing to offer someone of his stature. And yet, the rare moments he'd spoken kindly to her, the way his gaze had softened just slightly when they met—she clung to those moments as if they were lifelines.
Her chest tightened as she whispered aloud, "Maybe I am just his plaything. But even if that's all I am, I… I'll accept it."
Elizabeth closed her eyes, the weight of her feelings pressing down on her heart. To love someone so far beyond her reach was like gazing up at the stars, knowing they could never be touched. But to her, even the faintest glimmer of his affection, even if it was a mere illusion, was enough.
"Even if I'm just a shadow in his life…" she whispered, her voice wavering. "As long as I can be near him, even if it's only in this small way, it's enough. I'll endure anything."
Her knees felt weak, and she swayed slightly. The lack of sleep, coupled with the torment in her heart, made her feel faint. She closed her eyes, but the dizziness only grew, pulling her down, down into a fog.
Suddenly, the world tilted, and she felt herself falling, her body giving in to exhaustion. Her vision blurred, and her mind clouded with the relentless echoes of Lady Margot's words, repeating over and over like a cruel chant.
Nothing but a plaything…a passing shadow…a mere servant…
Just as her knees buckled, she felt a pair of strong arms catch her. She opened her eyes in a daze, her breath catching as she saw a figure in dark robes and golden embroidery, his face shadowed but unmistakable.
"Elizabeth," a familiar, deep voice murmured, filled with concern. She blinked, struggling to focus, but there was no mistaking the warmth in those steel-blue eyes.
"Your Majesty…" she managed to whisper, feeling her heart race.
Emperor Ludwig held her steady, his gaze searching her face with an intensity that made her heart pound. "Are you all right?" he asked softly.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. She was too overwhelmed, too astonished that he was here, looking at her with concern—an emotion she'd never expected from him. Her legs trembled, and he helped her sit down on the nearby bench.
"I… I'm sorry, Your Majesty," she whispered, bowing her head. "I didn't mean to trouble you."
Ludwig's gaze softened as he shook his head slightly. "There's no need to apologize. You're not troubling me."
His words, so simple and gentle, struck her like a balm against the wounds left by Lady Margot's cruelty. In his presence, her fears seemed to melt away, replaced by a fragile sense of hope.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said quietly, a faint smile breaking through her exhaustion.
He watched her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Elizabeth," he said slowly, "you look exhausted. Rest. I'll ensure no one disturbs you."
Elizabeth's heart swelled, and she felt tears prick at her eyes. Perhaps Lady Margot was right; perhaps to Ludwig, she was nothing more than an amusement, a passing fancy. But even if that was true, she would treasure these small moments, these slivers of kindness he offered. They were enough to keep her going, to soothe the ache in her heart.
If I am nothing but a plaything, she thought, then I'll accept it, as long as he allows me to stay by his side.
With a deep, shaky breath, she looked up at him, her voice soft yet filled with emotion. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Truly."
Ludwig's gaze lingered on her, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He gave a small nod before turning and walking away, leaving her alone with the memory of his warmth and his quiet kindness.
As Elizabeth sat there, still reeling from the encounter, she whispered to herself, "Even if I am only a shadow in his world, I'll cherish every moment I'm given." And with that resolve, she rose, prepared to endure whatever the future held—even if it meant enduring the pain of loving a man who might never love her back.