Orleans was a beautiful kingdom. To the west of the kingdom was the sea, and to the right the neighboring country that was the werewolves' territory. There was no love lost between the inhabitants of both people. In the past there was a war between them that recently ended. Relations between the two were tenuous.
King Mikael ruled Orleans. He wasn't exactly adored but not hated either, the Orleanians trusted their king. Mikael inherited the throne from his father who led them against the werewolves. From his father he inherited cunning and his prowess in battle. Mikael was firm and merciless to his enemies but he fiercely protected his subjects and made sure they were taken care of.
Mikael and his wife, Queen Esther had five children. Finn, the eldest son who was incredibly close to his mother. Elijah was under him, he was the favored of Mikael and beloved by the people. Klaus, the middle child whom everyone mostly skipped over. Kol, the reckless bad boy always getting into trouble and never caring. Finally came the beautiful Rebekah, the sole daughter.
There were two other children that no one spoke of. Freya was the first born, she mysteriously disappeared and was believed to be dead. Rumors circled around that witches had stolen her as an attack on the king. The second was Henrik, the youngest, who died in a terrible accident when he was just starting to grow into a man. The kingdom still mourned him.
Orleans was by no means a rich country. But its citizens were provided for, starvation and poverty were relatively low, and the people had an understanding with their ruler. Almost everyone was content.