[ IP ] Beautiful escape [ ex-post from /r/MorbidlyBeautiful/ ]

Queen Malvina walks through the halls of her castle, seemingly more quiet than it was just a few years before. Her head bowed in shame, she makes her way to a particular set of quarters. Drawing in a breath, she gently raps on the door. 
 
 `` Who is it?'' Comes a question, the voice one of pain and resignation. 
 
 `` It's me Dieter.'' Malvina says. `` May I come in?'' She pauses, afraid of the answer. 
 
 The voice from behind the door drips with sarcasm and scorn. `` I do not see why you bother asking, considering you do not take into account others' feelings about matters. You are sovereign over this entire island. You can take what you want or force someone to do something and they can not say boo. I can personally attest to the fact. But yes, I can theoretically let you in. After all, any and all of my so-called freedoms are completely theoretically. But if we're pretending I have any rights, yes come in.'' 
 
 Malvina turns the door knob and steps inside the room. It's a sizable space, meant for visiting dignitaries and fellow royalty. Crown molding trims where wall meets ceiling. A fresco depicting her kingdom's naval victories graces the ceiling, showing triumphant galleasses and carracks against enemy corsairs. In the center of the room is a four poster bed. Emerald green silk sheets cover it, with velvet curtains pulled back from the sides. He is sitting on it, staring down at his hands as he does knot work. 
 
 `` What do you want?'' His words are harsh and unkind, worlds apart from the tenderness and affection he'd displayed just a few days before. He does n't look up at her, intent he is on his work. 
 
 `` I, I wish to apologize for what I did to you. It was wrong of me and I'm sorry.'' Her voice wavers slightly as she speaks. 
 
 Dieter pulls on the rope with a grunt, pausing to admire his work. `` Too little, too late for apologies Malvina it would seem?'' He sets his work down, and wills himself calm. He looks up at her, eyes damp from tears. `` Why did n't you ask me?'' 
 
 Queen Malvina wills herself to meet his gaze. `` Because I knew you'd say no.'' She says softly. 
 
 Dieter nods his head, wiping away an errant tear. `` Damn right I would have. But no, you came for me in my sleep, so I could n't say no. But somehow I do n't think any amount of pleading or begging of mine would have made a difference. No, you had your heart set on doing what you did, regardless of my feelings for the situation. Was n't it enough that you imprisoned me here forever? I'd accepted that fate. I was prepared to live fifty, sixty years here and then die of old age or sickness. I would have enjoyed my time here, as best as I could.'' His eyes focus on hers. His gray eyes like cold steel. `` But what you did, you took even that from me. You stole my mortality.'' He reaches over and tosses her the rope work. She catches it reflexively. Her eyes widen in surprise, it is a hangman's rope. 
 
 Malvina winces, biting her lip as she thinks. `` I am not sorry for making you immortal like me. I am only sorry that I have hurt you. It was selfish of me, I know that. Aside from your mortality, and your freedom, is there anything I can do for you?'' She shuts her eyes for a moment, to prevent herself from crying. 
 
 Her friend says nothing, instead laying himself out on the bed to stare up at the fresco. A few minutes later, he speaks. `` Do you love me?'' 
 
 Malvina's face becomes one of surprise. Afraid her hearing is failing, she replies. `` What?'' 
 
 Dieter rolls to face her, his eyes full of melancholy and ruefulness. `` Do you love me Malvina?'' 
 
 She rushes to his side and clutches his hand in her own. Placing against her cheek, she chokes back tears. `` Of course I do Dieter! It's why I've done everything I've done. Imprisoning you here, making you immortal, it was so I'd never lose you.'' 
 
 He strokes her cheek, chuckling softly as he smiles. `` Malvina... I have almost nothing. My home is gone forever. Even if I wished to return, I could not go back. The only person who cared about me there is dead. I have no gold, no wealth. Nothing to start up a new life. I do not have my liberty, forced to remain here instead.'Though I would have nowhere to go if you ever gave it to me. I have no coin, and no contacts. I do not even have my life, the right to end it taken from me. I have only one thing left in this world.'' 
 
 Malvina leans closer, intrigue clear on her face. `` What is that?'' 
 
 Dieter props himself up, smiling. He moves closer to her, the scent of rosewater and thyme in her hair. Softly, he says. `` You.'' 
 
 He presses his lips to hers, snaking his fingers through her raven hair. She reciprocates, tasting the hint of brandy on his lips. Her hands clutch at him, as if afraid he'll vanish into aether. They break, gasping for air, before they kiss yet again, desperate for the other. He breaks off, looking into her viridian eyes with affection. 
 
 `` I would never leave you Malvina. I love you.'' 
 
 He kisses her again, dancing light pecks across her shoulder and up her neck, teasing his way across her jaw before finding her lips once more. Gasping in delight, she nibbles on his ear, enjoying his shuddering. They press on. 
 
 The sounds of pleasure and joy readily evident, the castle staff smile as they tiptoe down the hall during their duties. It has been far too long since their ruler has been happy. The past two years have brought her greater joy than the previous century. It had hurt them to see their liege in such pain all those decades. To see her now, it is akin to witnessing a phoenix reignite. It is beautiful. 
 
 

