I try to remind myself that I could be locked in a dungeon somewhere being tortured. I try to think about how fortunate I am live in such a beautiful home, and how so many people would kill to the connections my family has. That said I can't help but feel utterly, hopelessly bored. It may not be a dungeon and I'm not exactly being tortured, but I do feel locked in this house, in this life. Due to my father's position, for lack of a better word, I have lived my life in the shadows. Though that may sound exciting and mysterious I assure you it's like watching paint dry.
My whole seventeen years have been spent with my father and uncle, with the occasional visit from my Aunt. After I was born my mother ditched town and left dear old dad with a baby bundle of joy he had absolutely no idea how to take care of. Though I love him dearly, and I know he did the best he could it was hard growing up with nannies. Compelled nannie's who often went missing. Uncle Elijah tried to, but I knew he had feelings for my mother and was hurt when she left. I feel bad for Uncle Elijah; he saw me as a second chance to reclaim his family and he watched all fall away once again. Aside from the shock I don't think my father cared that my mother left. Perhaps he was relieved.
A knock at my door wakes me to another wonderful day of doing nothing.
"Are you really still asleep?" Marley asks incredulously.
"Who is up at this ungodly hour." I groan and throw the sheets over my head.
I hear Marley huff. She goes around my room picking up my discarded clothes and then comes over to my bed and rips the covers away.
"Most everyone is up by noon, darling." she sweetly.
Marley has been my maid for as long as I can remember. She has last through all the nannies and tutors. Probably because my father knows I throw the tantrum of the century if she goes 'missing'.
"So...how is he today?" I ask referring to my father.
"Exceptionally high spirits, which makes me terribly worried." she informs me. "That is such a rarity Juniper, so if you are thinking of something to spoil it, please don't."
I open my mouth wide and pretend to be hurt. "Me." I say in false shock. "I could never spoil Nik's good mood. I am the light of his life, the only joy in his hollow existence, the..."
Marley cuts me off with a laugh. "Of course you are dear, but when you ask for ridiculous things he gets a bit upset."
I just roll my eyes. I never ask for 'ridiculous' things. I ask to got to public or even private school. I ask to go for a walk without a team of hybrid body guards. I ask to have more than one friend. Don't get me wrong Marley is the best, but a girl has got to branch out at some point. I'm nearly eighteen years old; Surely my father does not expect me to live like this forever.
I eventually, after much pleading on Marley's part, get dressed and begin my day. I don't ever put much effort into how I look. I don't see very many people, and not too sound vain, but I'm naturally beautiful. I have long dark hair, the only thing my mother left me beside my name. I have my father's eyes and from what I'm told I look like my grandmother. That's all I've heard of her though my father isn't too fond of recounting old childhood memories.
I head down to the kitchen and grab a blood bag. I've refused to go hunting on humans since a very unfortunate experience when I was ten.
"Hey sweetheart, Klaus is looking for you." one of dad's cronies, Michael informs me.
"Thanks for the heads up, and never call me that again." I say trying to sound tough.
Of course it doesn't sound all that intimidating consider he has no idea that I'm a hybrid. As far as everyone, but Marley is concerned I'm just a Mikaelson plaything. It's slightly annoying but keeps me safe from Nik's countless, and I do mean countless, enemies.
"Aw c'mon you know you like me." He laughs.
"Goodbye Michael." I say and head off to find my father.
Michael isn't the worst one of Dad's cronies, honestly he's one of the few I can stand. I know he's joking unlike the other guys who give me a very bad vibe. I know Marley likes him and that's a pretty high compliment in my book. Sometimes I wonder how Marley came to be a maid for Mikaelson family. She could only be about 35. She was beautiful, kind, and brilliant. She had long curly red hair and bright hazel eyes. She was like the mother I never had.
My thoughts came to a halt as I reached my Fathers studio. I took a deep breathe and pushed open the door. I was one of the only people who knew of my father's passion for art. I felt privileged to be in on the secret. He was in the middle of breathtaking landscape when I walked.
"Hello Juniper, how are you today?" Nik asks not looking away from his painting.
"I'm profoundly bored today just like yesterday, and the day before, and the day before, and-" he cuts me off quickly.
"I know love, and I may have solution to that problem." He sets down his brush and turns toward me.
I try to curb my enthusiasm. Knowing Nik he's going to make me do chores to teach a lesson about complaining. My father was a twisted man.
"Let me guess, laundry?" I say sarcastically.
He laughs and wipes his hands off on an old rag. "No Juniper, I have something even better planned. I know you've never enjoyed you tutors, you've made that abundantly clear to me and to them. You sent the last one out of here in tears; I've never been prouder." he laughs.
I look down in shame; it's true I don't take well to authority.
"But I do take your education very seriously. I also realize you are growing up and don't want to be stuck in this mansion the rest of you life. So I've decided to send you to a very prestigious boarding school. Landover academy."
What. The. Hell. In my entire life my father has never even considered sending me to the school down the damn street and now he's shipping me to god knows where. Something wasn't right about this.
"Is this entire school populated by your cronies?" I ask incredulously.
He laughs again. "No Juniper. I know you aren't happy here, and I know you may not believe it but I just want you to be happy."
No, something is not right. My father gives in and allows me to go to a school sans the bodyguards and now he's being sentimental. I have a sinking feeling the world was about to end. Or at least mine one's.
"Nik is everything okay. Do you have a fever? Can you even get sick?" I ask.
"Juniper please is it so hard for you to believe I'm just giving you what you want?" He says tiredly.
The feeling in my stomach is not going anywhere, but I can tell my father is not going to divulge and more information willingly. I play along and pack, but I know something is going on. Being a Mikaelson I have a few inherited traits, and lying, sneaking, and snooping is defiantly some of them.