Title: In another life
Rating: M
Pairing: Klaus, Caroline
Summary: AU/ AH. By the time he discovered what he truly felt for her, he lost her. He mourned asking for another chance which fate has given him. Still it isn't easy to claim his lost love.
Note: I don't own Klaroline or TVD. No offence to anyone. I'm no good at history. Everything I write is part of my imagination and is for fun. Thanks for checking into this story!
About the story: Sorry, it was poorly organized before. No more confusions. Story takes place in two different eras. One in medieval times (somthing like that), one in present. Both the stories run in parallel. You may find similarity in their lives. If you still have any doubts let me know what you are thinking =)
When I saw you I fell in love with you, and you smiled because you knew it
- William Shakespere
0o 1 o0
'If you close your eyes, it will be over soon.'
She recalled her mother's callous words as she walked to the King's chamber. Caroline gulped her discomfort that was bugging her from days. Everything in her life was changed. The day she caught the new King's eye was the day everything changed. She heard he could be normal if and only if he wants. Above all, she knew how he claimed the position he was in— by plotting against the old king Mikael, and by suppressing all the other officials with the help of acquaintances he made with other kingdom. That made her to tremble to no limit. He killed his own father for throne.
But then the King entered in her life, and he intended to make her as his.
No one could deny the king. Especially not him.
Her parents' duty is to protect her, but they accepted when she was asked to be the King's mistress which would worth them fortune. She wouldn't blame them as she knew running tavern for their whole lives had drained their energy. It was purely bribing which she didn't like.
She had always dreamt of marrying someone who would love her for the rest of her life.
She denied his offer when the mediators brought news.
Yes, she humbly told she couldn't. That was against her principles. She had seen children born from illegitimate affairs and they were abandoned. And Caroline didn't want any of her future children to suffer like that.
After that day she was invited for ball he arranged, where she saw him for the first time. Of course, she was very curious to see the castle especially when celebrations take place.
King Niklaus was charming man. But there was something about him which Caroline felt a bit intimidating. By the time she reached ball room along with her parents, he was inspecting every person, every corner with his stormy blues which were holding no emotion. His posture was straight and she wondered if he was even breathing.
And then—his gaze landed on her. Her heart skipped a beat then, and she smiled at the way he stared at her. His lips slightly widened but they didn't bend into a smile like she was expecting. For a moment there, he simply watched her face with the same composed face.
He stood up from his throne when she began to feel anxiety around her. As he walked across the room, people who had been dancing on the floor halted their movements and backed away hastily.
Her heart was loudly thumping against her chest when he stood in front of her, and then she saw as a corner of his lips curved up. Suddenly she was conscious about her surroundings. People were whispering, sending her scornful and repulsive looks for as they were thinking that she didn't belong to the place.
Slowly he reached his hand out for her, and silently asked her to accompany him.
Without even thinking twice, she did, and he led her to the dance floor. And then the musicians resumed their playing. Until others joined the couple on floor they were silent.
"Must I tell you, Carolina," he spoke to her for the first time in a thick tone of voice and she immediately looked up at him when he used her birth name, "I really am impressed with your courage."
Caroline got nervous after that as he was clearly pointing out about her rigid behavior.
"I apologize, my king. It is not my intention to disgrace you." She said quickly.
He buzzed. "But you still turned down my offer even after knowing what kind of person I can be if things don't go like I want them." At that point Caroline became more anxious and she assumed she would faint soon when he paused for a moment. "How forgetful of me." He purred while shaking his head slowly. "You look ravishing tonight."
Caroline gave him a polite smile. "Thank you, your majesty, for the dress."
His hand on the small of her back moved further, spreading his fingers and rubbed her a little. That small act made her to gasp slightly which, of course, didn't go unnoticed by the King. Her cheeks flushed into light shade of pink as he watched her under heavy lids.
Parting his full lips he spoke. "After listening to your version, sweetheart, I tend to change my proposition for you—"
The King was one stubborn person, but she was happy at least her thoughts were taken into consideration. He didn't force her into anything she didn't like.
They arranged morganatic marriage between them instead.
Neither Caroline nor her children from the King could claim royal titles. Yet they would be given the same respect.
She slowly understood how much he was willing to make her as his. But then she would be a fool to expect his concern for her for longer period. Caroline knew it—at some point he would get married to royal blood.
For that matter she was disappointed.
But then she was glad thinking at least the relation wouldn't be illegitimate.
As she got into the King's chamber, the doors were closed behind and then she spotted him standing next to his large canopy bed, pouring drink. Watching her from the corner of his eye, he remarked. "It took you long."
Caroline breathed in to reply him, but she didn't dare to admit that she was afraid. He kept his penetrating gaze on her as he drank the wine and placed empty vessel on the table.
"Is something bothering you, my wife?" he asked raising his brows slightly.
Caroline decided to choose her words very carefully while recalling her mother's warning: Do not anger your husband.
She wouldn't taunt him after learning how dangerous he could turn.
Bringing up a smile she answered. "No, your majesty."
Niklaus tilted his head to left and squinted at her. After some silence he ordered to come close. Not even thinking twice she moved in his direction.
His gaze roamed all over her body before it fixed on her face. When she lowered her eyes feeling heat rising in her cheeks, he curled a hand around her waist and pulled her close. By placing his index finger he forced her to meet his darkening eyes.
"Do not keep your head low. You have done no mistake." He said.
For the first time in his presence, Caroline was likely to get some break from her anxiety. His eyes gave the assurance she needed.
Everyone including her parents despised her for initially rejecting his offer. But he—
Caroline bit her lip and was about to say something when he hastily found her mouth. It was very new experience to her as she never kissed a person before. At first his lips molded hers, but he gradually coaxed her mouth open to discover insides with his tongue. Some strange sensations arose and it was suffocating her—to do something. She felt like she needed to touch him, so she pressed her hand to his chest while the other traced his jaw. And then he pulled back suddenly.
"I have been waiting to do this from the moment I laid my eyes on you, Carolina." She took a moment to absorb what he told. Stroking her chin tenderly, he whispered. "You never kissed a man before, do you?"
Caroline slightly shook her head and mumbled. "No, my king."
Into a strange smirk his lips were bent. When he buzzed she felt his chest vibrating under her palm. "Do you know what happens in here tonight?"
Suddenly she was conscious again. It would be painful and her mother never told about rest. She only said to please the King and also warned not to do anything that would dissolve this marriage.
"There is no need to worry about it, my dear wife." He assured her quietly yet callously. "I promise you will be fine."
Caroline gulped down hardly and tried to smile freely. Only if it could be possible.
0o Present o0
"Venus! Venus! Venus!"
When the customers of that strip club were chanting her stage name, Caroline rolled her eyes as she applied body oil to look exotic under dim lights.
"Venus! Venus! Venus!"
She was called Venus, initially that name was given by her boss, Damon. She mocked at herself.
Venus? Sure, why not. She imagined Venus glowering down at her while shaking head disapprovingly.
Despite the fact she had gathered a very good number of admirers, Caroline was still insecure for some reasons. Damon from the other end sighed to her that it was time for her performance. Removing her robe she put on that plastic seductive smile, as she came under the lime-light. The crowd cheered and some began to throw money on her face already.
And then it began. The performance. Reaching the pole which she cleaned earlier, she started to move according to the beats.
"Remove your clothes!" encouraged one youngster wiggling bunch of dollar-bill for her.
Never. And she was glad it was against the rules. No complete nudity.
Caroline shot him daggers mentally, but she never stopped to dance. He was drunk, so drunk that he could puke around at any point of time. Suppressing all the negative emotions his words caused her, she narrowed her eyes and watched him under heavy lidded eyes, gave him one of her sultry looks.
And then the guy almost cried, jumped half a foot because of that act.
Damn, she was improvising her skills.
She leaned back against the pole, arched her upper body and closed her eyes. All the smoke, clinking sounds of glasses, nasty remarks—for once she felt like it all disappeared.
In her childhood, she had dreamt of becoming one of great dancers around, giving performances and all the stuff. But she couldn't make it.
Caroline was from one of those poor families which needed to work hard to find bread on their table. She used to see kids of her age going to ballet school, and peeped into the halls as they danced. That was how her obsession started. Then she found some street dancers on the road who were rocking on the floor.
Dance comes in different styles. But one common thing she found in every dancer was – they were enjoying it, feeling it and expressing what they feel.
Dance is an art.
She learned it without any guidance, though she would never say she was the best.
She was good. And this profession she chose was giving her a chance to survive. The rest was unnecessary. At least for her.
Of course, how she got into this club was definitely an important thing to her. She would never forget even in her sleep.
Before she was an exotic dancer, she worked in a diner along with her mother. That was where she met Damon as a customer. He used to flirt with her when her mother wasn't around.
No, no one messed with Liz Forbes. She was poor but she got respect, for her attitude. But the disease that had fed on her for years didn't know about her maybe.
One day Liz vomited blood, and became unconscious.
Caroline literally had gone crazy for a day, unable to understand what the doctor was saying. It was serious, she understood, and there could be a chance if Liz got a treatment from then.
Caroline didn't even go to school, and she didn't have too many friends. It was then she went to Damon to ask him if he could show her ways.
Damon simply offered this job.
That was all he could do, he said clearly. Caroline was grateful and began to earn money. No one knew her, and she insisted to hide her original name from her customers.
Damon named her Venus. And she had been dancing since two years, even after Liz's death.
Nope, Liz didn't make it. Caroline's hard work provided Liz one more year to live, but then—
Only thing that bothered her was—she never got a chance to confess. Liz would strictly have prohibited her daughter. She would rather die soon than living on that money.
Initially she started to save her mother, but now Caroline didn't find any other way. Needless to say, she was making very good money and she was being greedy. She knew it.
"Baby, one more time!" another loud remark brought her back to land of living. Caroline walked close to the guy and wiggled her hips with a smirk of her own. She bent close so that that dark guy put a few dollar-bills into her so called fancy shorts.
Caroline was moving back, but then her gaze fell on the man in corner.
She knew that posture anywhere.
He was away from the crowd, alone, occupied one of the couches with his arm stretched along the length and treating her with his intimidating glare.
Nope, he definitely didn't like her dancing in here, and yeah, she knew that much. After all, that guy had been watching her since three months.
And interesting point was: She was getting extra credit for performing in front him in one of those private cabins behind the club.
He never talked to her, but his eyes would speak so many things.
Anger, lust and something more his eyes would display in her presence. Caroline learned his name—Klaus.
Averting her gaze she ended her dance with a final hip shake, and then moved back. The music stopped and lights were off as the curtains closed.
She collected money around before she walked to the locker room to get changed where she found Rose. As usual waiting for her.
"Lap dance, one hour," she informed making Caroline to raise brows slightly. "Same guy."
The blonde was bit nervous with the news. Getting close to him, she never imagined. He never made a move in all these days. "Sure." Caroline mumbled stretching her arms and legs, exercised her neck a little.
After washing her face, refreshing Caroline passed through all the bouncers and customers around and walked to her cabin where Klaus was sitting in bean bag, with a glass of champagne.
For a moment they both stared like that before she sighed deeply, closed the door behind her.
"It would be more comfortable if you sit there." She pointed the lip shaped couch on the other side of room. She thought to sound more confidently, but her fragile voice made her want to slap her forehead.
His lips twitched, gave her an impression that he smirked. In reality he didn't. But he simply followed her, and settled down in the couch. Placing his glass on the table beside him, he threw her a questioning look.
She was trying her best to get a grip on her thumping heart. His stormy blues were up on her as she inhaled heavily.
"I won't bite you, love." Was his first sentence to her. His voice was all saucy. And then his full lips curved into strange and dark smile.
Gulping a hard swell formed in her throat, she closed the space between them and placed a hand on his shoulder as she straddled his lap.
...
Usually Caroline would ask her customers to speak something and get to know them, their problems in order to put full-stop to awkward silence. But now she was glad because of that silence. Of course, there was music playing in the background. Distant voice, slow music, light beats and her movements were in sync.
She didn't want to see his face because she was afraid. Clearly.
She was about to turn around, but he grabbed her by hips halted her actions, took her by surprise. After a long time, she met his eyes which were clouded with a layer of unknown hunger.
"A little eye contact is appreciated." He stated in hopeful tone.
Caroline's body slightly jerked when his hands slowly traveled up to her waist, when his skin came in contact with hers. His hand felt warm against her. She must have denied it immediately if it was other, but sickeningly she liked it. Not repulsed by his touch.
But then she weakly reminded him one of the rules. No touching.
"This is against rules." She mumbled enjoying sensations arose inside her belly from his grip.
"I only care if it is against your rules." He said, lightly making circular patterns with his thumbs on either side of her waist. "And I don't believe you find it disgusting at all." He teased, moving his fingers to her back and traced her spine.
Caroline stopped to move and bit her lip. "What are you doing?" she whispered, feeling his hands on her bare shoulder blades.
"Trying to relieve you from stress." He replied, gently massaged her shoulders.
"I don't need your help." She rejected smoothly while trying to get up. She couldn't continue with him. Because if anything goes wrong, then she'll be thrown out of this job.
He grasped her again and pulled her down to his level. "I'll behave. Don't go." He said quickly, though his voice held no emotion.
"You've been paying for me since three months," she pointed out after a moment of silence. His gaze briefly averted, and then he re-focused on her features. His hands were still resting on her waist, holding her securely as if she was made of glass. She liked it, that concern. He asked her to stop long back, but weirdly she was asked to sit there, close to him.
"To see you." He replied taking his glass and passed it to her.
"I'm fine." She quivered her head and paid attention to his words. "Just to see me?" she raised brows, disbelievingly.
Slowly she started to assume. Maybe there was trouble in his marriage. She checked out for ring on his hand and she found nothing. Somewhat relieved by that fact, she was.
Klaus observed her. "Only for you." He declared. Don't know why, her heart began to pump abnormally once again, for his words. Klaus then cupped her face with a hand and caressed her cheek with thumb. "And I have a feeling that you really don't belong to this place, sweetheart. You need something big. You need someone who can take care of you."
He was speaking very affectionately. After her mother's death no one—no one spoke to her like that. It melted her so soon. "If you permit—" he took her other hand which didn't curl his neck, and planted a soft kiss on the back of it, "I can show you an alternate way and I'll be the one for you."
Her heart would definitely have skipped a beat. She wasn't naïve to misunderstand his intentions. But then her mind took control. She remembered what happened to her colleagues in here, who got more involved with their customers. It was dangerous if things didn't go well. Men had simply unleashed anger on those dancers. It was messy experience to go through.
"Why will you do that for me?" she asked coldly, yanking her hand.
"Because I want to." He smiled lightly. "I really don't like your position in here." The latter part didn't sound cool. He claimed it in a darkening tone. And it gave shivers to her.
"Figured it out." She responded moving inconveniently. He guarded her up and made her sit across his lap, and supported her back with his arm.
...
"You're filthy rich, aren't you?" she commented after she contemplated something. Klaus didn't react to that question, not even slightly. Instead he began showering kisses on her hand. "I knew it." She muttered as she began to enjoy his actions slowly. Biting her lip delicately she bent a little giving him better access. When she felt him smirking against her skin, she scowled down at him.
There wasn't much gap between their faces, merely inch or two.
Caroline fluttered her eyelids twice and making up her mind to move back, but then he grasped her chin firmly and claimed her lips.
He was eager as he caressed her lips. That's what she thought at first. He was kissing her as if there was no tomorrow. Like a man quenching his thirst. She pressed hand to his chest, trying to deny him at any cost. But in mere seconds, she was opening mouth for him to discover with his tongue. He tasted like wine, that's it, and his mild earthy cologne was already dominating her lavender fragrance arose from lotion.
Caroline found herself moaning and leaning into his touch when he began to trace her curves. Damn, it felt so right.
When he pulled back, he still didn't let go off her completely. She was still waiting for him to ravish her once again and totally lost. He simply dragged her out of that boundary she had been maintaining.
"I love you, Caroline." He said stroking her cheek tenderly and nibbled her lower lip. "Accept my offer."
Caroline opened her eyes soon after that.
Two things struck her wandering mind.
First thing—I love you. She didn't believe though. He was manipulating, maybe?
And second thing, also the major thing that had her attention was —her name. He knew her name?
He knew her name!
No one except Damon knew that.
"How do you know my name?" she asked, getting suspicious. Damon and she were having a deal. Never must he reveal anything personal, and it included her name too.
Klaus stared at her callously for a minute. "Really, sweetheart? You only got that part? I said I love you."
"Don't bluff!" she squeaked and got away from him. Crossing her arms she demanded in a dangerously low voice. "Tell me how do you know my name, Klaus?"
"Will you kiss me again?" he teased, half-smiled.
"That moment is gone." She clenched her jaws together, as she scolded herself mentally for giving in easily. "I'll call security if you didn't tell me." Caroline tucked her hair behind her ears.
Klaus sighed slapping his thighs. "Three months are good enough to know about you, love."
He got up and she backed off quickly, because she started to get nervous again. "You stalked me for three months." She muttered in disbelief.
Klaus tilted his head to his left and looked up pretending to think. "I'd say I'm looking out for you."
"Yeah, right. If you coated with sugar, then it would sound romantic? I don't think so." She retorted with a huff.
"I would really watch my mouth if I were you." He stated back in a thick tone of voice. His eyes held no emotion once again. Caroline had to gulp her fear as backed away till her back hit the door. "Remember this, Caroline. Whether you believe it or not I don't care. I really am waiting to say this for a long time." He paused while taking out extra tip and placed it on the table. "You must lead a better life."
"I don't need your advice." She dared to spat at him, and was proud with herself.
"This isn't advice." He replied darkly, and he smiled a bit. Caroline for sure began to tremble. Was he—? "And I'm ready to show you the right path."
"What if I don't want to follow?" she asked again. He was really pushing her to edge, and she didn't like it.
Klaus squinted at her before he replied. "Trust me you won't appreciate to face the consequences of my decisions."
"You have no right to meddle with my life, Klaus." She reminded him coldly. This debate would go forever if he didn't change his mind. "Stay out of it."
For an instant, his gaze softened. "I cannot, love." He shook head slightly. "Because I care for you. I don't know why but I simply care for you. I love you, Caroline."
He was speaking truth. She could say that much. His voice was so smooth, and his words were enveloping some strange comfort around her. But no. This wasn't right thing. Or she was not ready yet.
Caroline gaped at him for a minute or two before she spoke out at last. "Don't come here again." She opened the door and turned back to see his composed face. "Goodbye Klaus."
"I will visit again and again." He said quickly making her to halt her actions. "Every night until you accept me."
She shot him a rigid look before she stormed off from there, leaving him alone in her cabin.
0o 1 o0
Please let me know what you are thinking =)