Note: This story takes place in the 1800's.
I walked down the long hall anxiously as I heard quiet giggles coming from my room. I took a step closer, placing my head against the door. I listened carefully, trying to figure out who was in my room. I took a step back from the door, I knew exactaly who was in there.
"Caroline." I spoke in a hushed tone.
I placed my hand on the door knob and opened it carefully, not wanting to frighten Caroline. I peeked my head around the corner and spotted Caroline, Vicki, and April sitting on the edge of my bed. April was the first one to notice me.
"Elena!" She squeaked and let out a tiny giggle as she clapped her hands.
Caroline immediately stood up and ran over towards me, grabbing my hands. She looked at me for a moment with wide eyes. I could tell she had something she wanted to tell me.
"Elena!" Caroline shouted happily. "You'll never guess who will be joining us this afternoon!" She squeezed my hands tightly in hers.
"Who?" I asked curiously.
Caroline let go of my hands and grabbed my arm, dragging me towards Vicki and April. They were sitting peacefully on my bed with rosy red cheeks. I could tell they had been blushing and laughing. I curiously looked at the three girls, wondering what they had to tell me, not caring if I made it obvious or not.
"So?" I questioned. "What is this delightful news I haven't yet heard of?" A small smile appeared on my face, I couldn't help my excitement.
"Shall I tell her?" Vicki spoke with wide eyes. "Or shall you?" A smile appeared on her face as she spoke.
"I shall!" Caroline beamed and placed her restless hands on her lap.
I looked at Caroline for a moment, waiting for her to answer my curious question. The girls looked like they had been laughing for hours, not caring if anyone heard them. Caroline, Vicki, and April were my three best friends that I loved dearly. There was never a time when we didn't have a good time, it wasn't possible when we were all together. After a few moments of silence, Caroline finally spoke.
"You will never guess who is coming to visit, Elena!" Caroline placed her anxious hands together as she spoke.
"Who?" I questioned with a slight smile. "Is it Lord Matthew?" I felt my heart skip a beat as I said his name.
"No, even better!" Caroline clapped her hands together and looked at the other girls. "The Mikaelsons." She placed her restless hands over her mouth and let out a tiny scream.
The other girls looked at one another with big smiles on their faces, not hiding their excitement. The Mikaelsons. The name kept repeating in my head. The Mikaelsons were a very powerful family that rarely left their castle unless necessary. Why were they coming here? My mind was suddenly filled with many unanswered questions.
"Why are they coming here?" I asked seriously. "And when?" My smile had faded.
"If I may add." April added. "I heard King Gilbert talking about your future suitor." She smiled hesitantly.
"Future suitor!" I spat angrily. "And why haven't I heard of this?" I crossed my arms nervously.
I stood up from my bed and walked towards the window. I had mixed feelings about what the girls had just told me. Future suitor? I'm going to be marrying one of the Mikaelson's? I felt a light touch on my shoulder. I quickly turned around and saw Caroline standing in front of me with a worried expression.
"I'm sorry, Elena." She looked down at the ground as she spoke. "I thought you would be excited by the news." She ran her hands over her wrinkled dress nervously.
"I'm not upset with you, Caroline." I paused. "I-I just don't know what to think. The news is both good and bad." I replied with a slight smile.
She looked up at me with a glowing smile. I couldn't be mad at her, never. I looked over at Vicki and April who just sat on the bed helplessly. Caroline and I had always been the closest out of the other girls. We had a mutual bond that couldn't be described. I made a hand gesture towards April and Vicki, poitning towards where I was currently standing. They stood up and quickly rushed over towards me. I looked at them for a moment before I spoke.
"I have heard Lord Niklaus is quite handsome though." I let out a quiet giggle and felt my face start to heat up.
The girls looked at me for a moment before they started giggling as well. After a few moments we were all as bright as a cherry.
"I heard none of the boys are currently involved and they're looking for wives to bring back home." Vicki spoke in a hushed tone and placed her hand over her mouth.
"Then we have some work to do, girls!" April shouted and clapped her hands together.
Quiet giggles filled the air once more but quickly stopped when a sudden knock at the door silenced the room completely. I placed my finger over my lips as a sign not to make any more noise.
"I'll be right there!" I squealed awkwardly.
I turned towards the girls who were standing there, helplessly. If anyone caught us, we would all be in trouble. Neither I nor the girls were allowed in our rooms during the day, something we all knew. I pointed towards my bed, hoping they would get the point of my gesture.
"Elena!" Caroline squealed and shrugged her shoulders. "We're going to be in so much trouble!"
After a moment, they finally got the memo and ran towards my bed. They daintily huddled together on the other side of my bed so they weren't visible. I looked over at my bed, making sure I couldn't see the girls. I was relieved when I couldn't see them. I quietly made my way towards the door, quickly opening it. I was happy to see it was just my handmaid, Olive.
"Lady Elena!" She squealed as her face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I'm glad you're ok, we were worried!"
I looked at her for a moment, feeling a bit confused. I looked down at her full hands and realized she was holding a white dress. Damn. I forgot I had tea with my mother this afternoon! My heart started to pound at my forgetfulness. I forgot. My mother had planned a nice treat so we could talk about some things. I crossed my arms, feeling embarassed.
"I-I forgot." I studdered and looked down at the ground. "Is she still waiting for me?" I questioned.
"She is down in the garden as we speak." She replied gleefully. "I can help you dress if you would like." She smiled lightly.
"It-it's fine." I smiled. "I can dress my self, thank you Olive. Please tell her I will be with her shortly." I spoke as I grabbed the dress out of her hands.
I looked at her confused face before I quickly shut the door. I walked towards my bed, tossing the dress on top of it. I walked towards the other side of the bed where Caroline, Vicki, and April were currently sitting.
"Sorry to cut the visit short, girls." I let out a loud sigh and helped them up.
I hugged each of them, not wanting them to leave. I knew having tea with my mother was more important. I watched them exit my room one by one. I shut the door behind them and started getting ready.
I immediately spotted my mother sitting alone in the garden. I always loved coming out here as a child, it was my favorite place to go. I had so many memories out here. I lightly smiled to myself as I kept walking. My mother turned around and smiled lightly. She pointed towards the empty seat directly in front of her. I quickly sat down and let out a deep breath.
"I'm glad you took the time out of your day to meet me, Elena." She spoke, sounding annoyed. "I didn't think you would actually meet me."
"I'm sorry, Mother." I looked down at my lap as I spoke. "I-I was busy."
"I imagine." She scolded. "It's half past two, Elena." She spoke lightly and took a sip of her tea.
I lifted my head back up and looked at her for a brief moment. My attention was suddenly focused on the food that was right in front of me. Scones, strawberries, chocolates, and my favorite snack, blueberries. I was so distracted by the food that I almost forgot my mother was sitting right in front of me.
"There's something you wanted to discuss, mother?" I spoke quietly. "If you would still like to discuss it." I looked up at her, surprised by her newfound expression. She was smiling.
"Yes." She smiled lightly. "That's why I wanted you to meet me for tea." She replied softly.
I gulped at her sudden words. Why was she suddenly smiling? Why did she look so happy? I poured myself some tea as I waited for her answer. To my surprise, the tea was still hot. I guess she hasn't been out here for too long. I let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
"I'm not sure you've heard, the Mikaelson's will be staying with us for a while." A large smile appeared on her face. "It will be an honor to have them stay at our castle." Her smile suddenly widened.
It would be a great honor to have the Mikaelson's stay with us, even if it was just for a short period of time. We had many guests stay at our castle, but never anyone so powerful. Why did they want to stay with us? I dumped a spoonful of sugar into my tea and took a sip. Mmmm, perfect. I set the tea back down on the table and waited for my mother to finish speaking.
"None of the Mikaelson boys are currently married." She paused for a moment. "And they're currently looking for a suitor, someone to bring back to their home."
I looked at her for a moment in disbelief. Was she trying to marry me off to the Mikaelson's? I felt my heart rate quicken. Oh my god. She is! I couldn't believe what she had just said to me. April had been right, they really were looking for someone to marry me. I shook my head at my mother, suddenly feeling overpowered with emotions.
"They will be arriving this evening, just in time for supper." Smiling, she clasped her hands together. "We will have to get Olive and the other girls to help you get ready." She squealed happily.
"Help me get ready!" I spat angrily. "So I can look desireable for the Mikaelson boys?" I pushed my chair away from the table and stood up.
"Elena, sit down, please." She pointed at the chair that was currently behind me.
"I will not sit down, mother!" I raised my voice, nearly yelling at her. "Why haven't I heard of this sooner? Shouldn't I be the one to choose who I shall marry!"
"I didn't tell you because I knew this is how you would react." She stood up from her current sitting position.
"I have a right to react, don't I?" I crossed my arms, trying to control my anger. "Or I don't have a choice in that matter either?"
She placed her hands on the table and looked at me for a moment. I could tell she was getting annoyed with my reaction. I let out a loud sigh. She took a step towards me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Elena." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "You always have a choice."
I looked at her for a moment, trying to process what she had just said to me. I always have a choice. I kept replaying the words in my head, trying to make sense of it all.
"I do." I grabbed her hand from my shoulder, holding it tightly.
"They will arrive at four o'clock this afternoon." She spoke quietly. "Lord Niklaus will be seated at the end of the table next to you."
"Lord N-Niklaus?" I studdered his name. "Why must I sit next to him?"
She reassuringly squeezed my hand. There was a long silence that lingered. I appreciated that. My mother still hadn't answered my question to why I would be sitting next to Lord Niklaus. She calmly let go of my hand and took a step back from where I was standing. Her action caught me off guard.
"Lord Niklaus will be the best option for you, Elena." She smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"O-oh." I studdered and smiled lightly.
"Please." She paused. "Be ready for dinner at five o'clock. I am counting on you to do so."
She looked at me for a moment with a slight smile before she turned around and headed back inside. Everything will be ok. Everything is going to work out. Even thought I was slightly nervous about tonight, my heart still fluttered at the thought of sitting next to Niklaus Mikaelson.