Disclaimer (for the whole story): I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals (unfortunately). I merely worship the genius of others!
Chapter 1: Diamond Of The First Water
It was, in Miss Caroline Forbes' opinion, a highly irregular season.
Her whole life, or at least the last ten years of it, people had been gushing over her, telling her how beautiful and perfect she was and that, once she entered society, she would definitely be the belle of every ball.
And, to give all those people credit, had she been introduced to her first London season one year earlier, Caroline with her sparkling blue eyes and perfect golden locks would have been a so called "diamond of the first water", just as her friend, Miss Rebekah Mikaelson, now the Viscountess of Fallsend, had been. Both of them looked quite similar - they had been mistaken for sisters more than once during their childhood.
Still, this season was different. For one because Caroline's dear father had died some months back – a huge scandal that led to her mother rarely leaving their home, afflicted by headaches and faintness – which in turn had left their family name just vaguely intact. Rebekah's mother had taken Caroline under her protection. Now that her youngest daughter, Rebekah, had been taken care of, Esther Mikaelson had too much time on her hands, anyway. So Caroline was told she wasn't ever to speak of the incident again. And no one argued with Esther Mikaelson.
Another reason for the surprising change in season was the introduction of the Petrova twins, Katherine and Elena, to society: Two beautiful sisters from Bulgaria, who had been taken in by their aunt, Countess Jenna of Whindham, after their parents had died in a carriage accident. Suddenly, dark eyes and dark hair were all the rage in society.
So, as Caroline was standing at the edge of the ballroom, watching flocks of men scurrying around the twins, she couldn't help but feel annoyed about all those people who had gotten her hopes up for all those years.
Next to her, her best friend, Bonnie Bennett, sighed.
"I believe I'd be annoyed if I got so much attention, but we'll probably never know, right? I mean, it's not as if all those gentlemen suddenly might change their minds and smother us with attention."
Caroline smiled at her friend. Just like herself after her father's demise, Bonnie was not socially accepted. The reason for that was her heritage: While her father was a noble bred gentleman, Bonnie's mother had been a poor dancer of black colour. Caroline knew Bonnie since they were little children and had never been told to think any less of her because of her darker skin, but in society, the fact that Bonnie's father had acknowledged his daughter and even introduced her into their midst, did not fair well.
"Well, apparently I'm too bland looking this year," Caroline murmured, motioning towards the Petrovas, "and you are still too exotic. But just you wait, Bonnie Bennett, our time will come!" she cheered, clutching her friend's arm.
Bonnie smiled in return and patted Caroline's hand.
"We'll see about that," the dark haired girl said without any noticeable hope.
"Holding hands now, are we?" A voice chuckled behind the girls, making them flinch. "Don't tell me it's already so bad with the gentlemen attending that you decided to swear off them and just be together?"
"Kol!" Caroline scolded, her voice merely a whisper. "You cannot say such things! Especially this loudly in public! What if somebody believed them?! Bonnie and I would be ruined!"
Kol Mikaelson, Rebekah's younger brother, only grinned.
"You know I would never ruin you, darling Caroline. You're like a sister to me. One I actually like, so I'd merely scare off possible suitors in case they were unfitting," he stated, before glancing at Bonnie.
"And of course I would never jeopardize Miss Bennett's chances of marriage, far from it. I'd rather dance with her to make everybody aware of her perfect features," he told them, taking Bonnie's hand and gallantly kissing her knuckles. Bonnie just slipped her fingers from his.
"I am not sure how the attention of a well known rake should further my reputation in society, Mr. Mikaelson," she retorted drily, but Caroline saw a light blush on her friend's neck.
"Don't you 'Darling Caroline' me, Kol. Your mother would disown you if you as much as looked at a possible suitor for me. And don't address each other so formally – you've known each other since Kol was four, I believe we even swam in the lake on the Mikaelson's property together one summer. Stark naked! We're all practically siblings!" Caroline huffed.
Kol just waved a hand dismissively.
"There were way too many people in that lake for me to remember anything about you two. Anyways, I believe a waltz will be playing next and since Bonnie," he let the name roll of his tongue, seemingly savouring it, "won't dance with me, would you do me the honour, dear sister?" He looked expectantly at Caroline who eyed him suspiciously.
She knew exactly what Kol wanted her to do. Caroline had known for some time that he liked Bonnie better than a mere acquaintance, but the dark skinned woman had more than once declared her detest for Kol's rakish ways. Caroline sighed. Of the seven Mikaelson children she had always liked Kol best next to Rebekah. He was easy going and a good sport, making her laugh and well meaning.
"No, I don't believe I will. I danced with you last week at the Mottram's ball and I believe it is Bonnie's toes' turn now to be trampled on," Caroline smiled politely and curtsied, retreating before Bonnie, who was promptly lead away by her arm by Kol, could object.
The last thing Caroline heard before they joined the other pairs on the dance floor was Kol, assuring Bonnie that he hadn't trampled a single toe since his tenth birthday.
Caroline smiled and watched her friends circle around on the floor, swaying slightly in time with the music.
"I can't believe you're just standing here," Rebekah suddenly moaned next to her, "I didn't get to miss even one dance last season, let alone a waltz!"
Caroline giggled, turning towards her friend and her husband Matt, the Viscount of Fallsend.
"Well, I'm not as popular as you were last year, 'Bekah," she stated, greeting the Viscount, who only smiled.
"Well, I believe I was very lucky to be even noticed in the flock of gentleman that always surrounded you, dear," he told his wife, and Caroline noticed how his hand caressed the small of her back. It looked very familiar and comfortable and Caroline was happy her friend had married based on love and not on prestige, even though some gentlemen with higher titles had asked for her hand in marriage.
Caroline was sure about one thing: She wouldn't mind to marry a poor man without any title if it meant hers was a love match.
"Of course I noticed you, Matt," Rebekah laughed, "I had to after you told James Huxley he should fetch you a lemonade, too, when he offered to get me one!"
Of course Caroline knew this story by heart. While all the gentleman had offered Rebekah to get her whatever she wanted (one even offered her the moon), Matt had used the opportunity to snatch her away for a dance, telling the other man he might want a refreshment afterwards as well. This action had left Rebekah, who was normally one of the most opinionated people Caroline knew, speechless and made Matt the main theme of all their conversations for the next few days.
"Anyways, I think we need to derive a plan!" Rebekah exclaimed. "It can't be that you are standing alone on the perimeter while Kol dances with poor Bonnie and both of you have nearly no suitors because of those horrid twins!"
Caroline refused the urge to point out that merely Elena was very conceited and disagreeable, knowing that Katherine, who was actually funny and easy going, had talked too animatedly with Matt only days after Rebekah's wedding, which had left the two women on not so friendly terms.
"I believe I already have something in mind! Tell Bonnie the three of us will meet at my home tomorrow for tea!" Rebekah ordered, putting her hand decisively on her husband's arm, who knew better than to question his wife's actions, nodding towards Caroline before the both of them retreated into the crowd.
Caroline just stood there, waiting for Bonnie to return, already dreading whatever idea Rebekah had in mind.
End of Chapter 1
Author's Notes:
I hope somebody will like this story. I'm a bit obsessed with Elizabethan Time Novels at the moment (Guilty Pleasure) and I just love the idea of a Klaroline story set in that time and frame.
Please let me know if you do, too. I'm happy about every opinion/ review!
Thank you for reading!
Ria