Hello there again.
We've been writing this story together for a couple of months now and we thought it would be fun to save it and share it with you guys since we enjoyed it very much... and it's Klaroline... so, yeah... awesome.

Just like in our other story, "Lost Kingdom", ( a new chapter of that will be posted soon too btw), each character is written by one person. This first chapter is only in Klaus' point of view because we felt like it would have been too long if we added Caroline's as well. But we'll see how the rest will turn out.

And to those who take the time to read it, we very much hope you'll enjoy it. ;)

PS: No hate to Camille. (RIP)

Chapter 1

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Klaus lowered his head when the bright flashlights of the cameras almost blinded his eyes. All this attention on him and his elder brother who was currently walking alongside him over to the Kensington Palace was getting quite tiring at the moment. Yeah, people were always curious what the Royals were up to, but now that the big announcement was about to be publicized… the media and the paparazzi were freaking out and following their every footstep, asking never-ending questions that they knew they wouldn't get an answer to.

But today was the day; Mikael was finally going to spread the word about the announcement and share it with the world, which was relieving to all of the Mikaelsons, since it was hard to keep a secret for so long when you live in a world like this.

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"I could really use a drink now…" Klaus, the younger prince muttered as they finally entered the elegant building that was also full of journalists of the national and international news agencies. Those well-trained and disciplined ones. Ones that don't approach you out of nowhere, something Klaus was glad about.

"Don't forget we're not alone in here, Niklaus. They're watching you just as closely as they are watching me."

Elijah warned him as he placed a hand on Klaus' back and both the brothers smiled towards the photographer who just snapped a picture of them.

"I'll see how Hayley is doing." The elder brother told him with a nod and walked through the small crowd and made his way upstairs, over the large stairs that were covered with a long red carpet. Suiting the occasion.

"Of course," Klaus mumbled once his brother was gone.

Keeping the friendly smile on his lips, he walked over to a table where the helping staff was decorating the table with plates of fingerfoods and many glasses filled with champagne. They surely wouldn't mind if the prince already got a taste of one.

"Very nice" Klaus commented after taking a sip and glanced over at the large security men standing at the entrance, watching all the journalist inside the room in case they or someone else would do something that wasn't appropriate.

As he looked at the view in front of him; the journalists, the cameras, the guests, the decorations… the curiosity on everyone's faces, he was once again reminded how big of a deal this all was. His brother, the crown prince, was about to announce his engagement with Lady Hayley Marshall. Honestly, Klaus still couldn't believe his brother was actually going to be a King one day. Klaus could never imagine himself as one. So many responsibilities, so many attention. He had a lot of those as a prince already.

He couldn't stand being followed everywhere and to have his security detail around him like a bunch of babysitters at all times. It was a cool feeling, sure, but sometimes it made him feel like he's trapped in this golden cage he was born in. And then there were the newspapers, or worse the magazines. Seeing his own face in them, pictures where he's leaving a club after he had a night out with a bunch of friends, or where's he's seen with yet another mysterious girl. All those rumors he read about The Playboy Prince. It was quite funny though, he had t give them that. They did a great job writing all those stories.

And then all those responsibilities and attention lead to stress. He knew from their father, how he'd become over the years. He wasn't sure if being the King was a reason for that or something else, but there was certainly something and it had also affected their family. And it still was to this day. There were things people from the rest of the world weren't aware of. They only saw the smiles, the good deeds and were oblivious to the rest. There were a lot of secrets this family kept for themselves.

Then again, Klaus strongly believed in Elijah. He could do it, he was very fit for the throne. His noble brother was a kind and smart man. He'd always been there for him, as his brother, his counselor, his best friend. And Klaus was very confident that he would do right by their people just like he had done right by his siblings. He just prayed the years and the secrets wouldn't make Elijah become like Mikael.
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A small sigh passed his lips as he was approached by a journalist who just got the permission to approach him, he smiled a polite smile while having a small conversation with her. She asked him more questions about himself, rather than the announcement itself. They obviously knew he wasn't going to reveal anything right an hour before it was going to be announced. He really hoped it would be starting soon.

He also hoped Hayley was ready for it as much as his big brother was, he knew she wasn't really in the mood for all of this, but it had to be done. Ever since Elijah and Hayley started seeing each other, Klaus grew rather fond of her. He never thought they would become such close friends, but they had. He trusted her, and was glad she was making his brother happy and kept him on his toes. It was funny seeing them together, never would he have ever thought that she and dear noble Elijah would be a good match, but they were strangely perfect for each other.

A few minutes later, one of the staff made her way over to Klaus and kindly requested him to take his place in front of the stairs because the announcement was about to start. With a nod, Klaus said goodbye to the journalist and walked close to the stairs and stood at the spot that was reserved for him. Soon the Palace's media guy walked over there, on the grand balcony on top of the stairs and started speaking with a loud and clear voice.

"Presenting their Majesties, King Mikael and Queen Esther." He said with a bow, as Mikael and Esther revealed themselves and walked forward.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the press, citizens of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world." Esther greeted everyone in the room and the people behind their TV screens.

After a long fake smile and a few camera flashes, it was Mikael who started speaking.

"It is my honor to announce the engagement of my son, Elijah, the Prince of Wales, to the Lady Hayley Marshall, daughter of the Earl Brian and Lady Colleen." He said and Esther removed her arm from Mikael's and moved back to allow Elijah and Hayley to walk forward this time. As soon as they walked forward, the couple was greeted with hugs and handshakes by the people who were standing close to them. After a brief conversation, Mikael and Esther walked away, leaving the engaged couple to deal with the world's media.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," Elijah started, not looking or sounding even a tad bit nervous.

"I thank you all for coming here on this beautiful day to celebrate the engagement of Hayley and I. I proposed last Saturday evening, for all those who are interested, and we chose to wait for a little while before informing the public. Furthermore, I cannot express my excitement well enough…" He continued telling some more about his relationship with Hayley before people in the room started applauding and journalists were allowed to ask some questions about the wedding that was to happen soon.

"Thank you for your time, ladies and gentlemen, but it is time for Hayley and me to depart now. May we see each other again." They both said their goodbyes, Elijah's hand on the small of Hayley's back as he led her away.

After Klaus, too, shook some hands of the people who were congratulating on his brother's engagement, he walked up the stairs and disappeared to where his family was as well. Exhaling the small breath he was holding in. Feeling somewhat free again.

"Well, that went well, did it not?" Klaus entered one of the open living room's where he found Elijah, Hayley, and Rebekah. An excited grin on Rebekah's lips, a tired frown on Hayley and Elijah… looked relieved.

"Of course it did! What could've gone wrong? Everything was planned and triple checked. Don't sound so surprised Nik." Rebekah commented as Elijah nodded several times.

"Father is waiting for me in his room, there are some things to be discussed," Elijah then added and looked from Klaus to Hayley and placed a kiss on top of her head. "I'll meet you later at dinner." With that said, he disappeared, leaving Klaus alone with his future sister-in-law and little sister.

They talked for a little bit, discussing how it all went before the topic turned into wedding preparations which Klaus knew nothing about. A few minutes had passed before Hayley's older sister, Camille, and her mother came in rushing into the room.

"Darling!" Her mother, Colleen, approached her, giving her a tight hug. Klaus knew Hayley didn't really like her parents, he couldn't blame her.

And Camille, oh she was another story. In fact, it was her who was supposed to marry Elijah in the first place, given she was the 'perfect' sister, who was good at all sorts of things, had the best grades in everything, won awards for unnecessary bullshit and so on. But as you see, Elijah had taken an interest in Hayley.

That didn't change Camille from being a bitch though. She was pure evil and she never got caught with it. Her acting was so good that no one saw how she truly is. She was an intelligent and social lady in the presence of almost everyone, but as soon as they were gone, her mask fell and she was back to being a nagging bitch.

"Hey, Klaus… You look dashing, like always" Camille said and winked at the younger prince.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" She asked.

"Why yes, I have. And you?" Klaus replied, forcing a tight smile, he had to be polite of course. He was a prince after all, and her mother was in here. He had his respects.

"Oh good," she winked once more, making Klaus involuntarily shudder at her attempts to be seductive.

Sure, she was stunning, but when she tried too hard, it just didn't work. It took the fun and the excitement out of it. He didn't like her, he never had, but it seemed she was too blind to see that since they'd met.

"I was out with a few friends about a week ago, you know shopping. " She started speaking again, Klaus tried his best not to sigh and show he wasn't interested in front of the ladies in the room.

Patience, he kept telling himself.

"…and you have no idea what I came across! There was a magazine with us on the cover talking about rumors regarding a relationship between you and me. Still happening for years. Isn't that interesting? So many people are so interested in us all the time. Did you know, there are even those fan-accounts dedicated to us, all over Twitter? It's really cute, don't you think?"

Klaus chuckled hoarsely and glanced at Rebekah who was too busy with Hayley, wishing either someone could rescue him or she'd stop talking already.

"You'd think people would be bored of that by now." He finally said as he looked at her again, chuckling once more.

"Ehmm, yeah right?!" Camille nodded and they both stood there awkwardly for a while, Camille intently staring at Klaus while he was trying to avoid her intense gaze. He wondered if she even understood what he just said.

"Oh, by the way, sweetie, we decided to hire you a wedding planner!" Colleen's rather loud voice made Klaus' and Camille's attention turn to the rest of the ladies.

"Everyone will be so busy and stressful, I thought it would be a good idea if you had someone with knowledge who's there to help you plan all of what is necessary." She explained.

"That… actually is not a terrible idea." Hayley hummed and looked over at Rebekah who nodded in agreement.

"What agency are they from? Do we know them?" Rebekah asked, of course interested in matters like this. Colleen started telling them more about this wedding planner and the industry they were working for, handing Hayley and Rebekah some sheets with information and examples of their previous work. Klaus took this as a perfect chance to get out of here.

"I suppose this is my cue to leave. I should get going and see what my brother and my father are discussing. It was nice seeing you, lady Colleen" He told her goodbye with a polite smile and gave Camille a small nod.

"And you Camille."

After giving Hayley and Rebekah another glance, he turned around and left the room. For once, glad to be away from the ladies' presence.

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