Walk of Punishment
Lady Caroline gazed at the paintings on the ceiling as her newly appointed advisor spoke.
She was amazed by the textures, patterns and colors used to portray the people in the artwork.
"… Lady Caroline?" Sir Alaric interrupted her distraction.
Her eyes fluttered and she took in a deep breath of air trying to center herself back to reality.
Her gazed locked with his.
Sir Alaric had been appointed the first of Lady Caroline's council. He was a man chosen by the king himself. Sir Alaric's guidance was the word of the king.
His influence on Lady Caroline would ensure that all of the king's needs were being met whether Lady Caroline knew it or not.
Both Sir Alaric and Lady Caroline met in the throne room of the queen. Although she was not allowed to sit upon the throne, the room was for her use.
It was a decent sized room draped in dark red hues. It was plush and very inviting to the female sex.
It would be a room she would use during her reign as queen. A room made for her to gather with her ladies in waiting, children, and council.
Lady Caroline sighed. It was barely two days after her wedding and permanent decisions were already being demanded of her. Sir Alaric pressed several issues due to the upcoming wedding festivities. They required the new courts to be presented in a few days and Lady Caroline only had one person under her wing.
"You must choose your ladies in waiting today, Lady Caroline." Sir Alaric explained.
Lady Caroline looked at her new advisor questioningly. "I already have one lady in waiting, Sir Alaric." And it was true. Her lady in waiting had traveled with her from Austria. To dispose of her would be absolutely ridiculous.
"The king requested that you select four new ones." He told her.
"I don—"
"I must recommend you not to go against the king." Alaric warned her. "Your place here is fragile until –"
" –Until I'm with child." She finished his sentence. "I understand that Sir Alaric, but I will not tell my lady in waiting, whom has been with me since I was a child to leave."
"Please do as the king says." He pleaded. "The king advises you to be surrounded with new faces. He has even made a particular recommendation." He tried to lighten the room.
Lady Caroline wasn't daft to the ways of a royal court. The king did not make a decision to solely benefit the queen. He made the decision to benefit himself. If Lady Caroline's intuition were correct, the woman who the king recommended would be one that he wanted to bed.
Lady Caroline gritted her teeth.
She knew and expected this behavior from the king, but why so soon?
"I would like to meet the woman who the king feels so strongly for." Lady Caroline said. "I advise you to bring the woman to me immediately, Sir Alaric."
Sir Alaric hesitated. "I'm afraid the kings recommendation is unable to meet with you today."
"If the king himself recommended her, then she would have to be able to meet with me today, wouldn't she?" Lady Caroline was trying to bring some truth to the situation. "If this woman is to be a part of my court then she is required to be present. If she isn't here with the other women, then I will not consider her for the position."
"I believe I might have exaggerated when I said that the woman was a recommendation." Sir Alaric refused to meet her gaze. He had expected he to embrace the king's decision without question.
"It is a requirement of you to accept her as your lady in waiting."
"Then you've confirmed my suspicions." Caroline gathered her gown and swiftly made her way out of the throne room.
"Lady Caroline!" Sir Alaric called after her. "Please do not go to the king." He begged.
Lady Caroline stopped in midstride and turned to face Sir Alaric. "Then you should have done as I asked and retrieved the harlot yourself."
Ignoring his protests Lady Caroline stormed through the corridors of the castle taking a deep breath as she approached the king's bedroom door.
Two guards stood outside of it. She knew that she would never get in through the front. Instead, she walked into her own bedroom and decided to enter through her connecting door.
She took another deep breath before she turned the doorknob. Lady Caroline tried her best to mentally prepare herself for the sight before her.
The woman from the other night stood where Lady Caroline stood the night before. The king stood firmly behind her with one hand cupping her nonexistent breast. His other in areas Lady Caroline would rather forget.
Lady Caroline was a strong woman, but the sight of them together knocked the wind out of her diaphragm.
She froze.
The truth was that she didn't plan much beyond catching them in the act.
She remembered the king calling her Tanya. The woman looked up at Lady Caroline with a grin on her face.
Lady Caroline could not believe the audacity of the woman. Of course the king selected her. From what Lady Caroline knew, she had no respect for herself let alone other people…. especially the future queen.
The king untangled himself from Lady Tanya's embrace.
"Dress yourself, Tanya." Lady Tanya obeyed ensuring that she took her sweet time doing it.
The king placed a robe on his body to cover himself. He still hadn't acknowledged Lady Caroline. Instead he turned to Tanya and placed kiss on her lips.
"Later my sweet Tanya." Lady Tanya's eyes glistened at his words. "Leave us and let me speak with my future queen."
Lady Tanya hadn't even bothered to spare the future queen a glance as she rushed out of the king's chambers.
"I hope you have a perfect excuse for interrupting my personal time, Lady Caroline." The king poured himself a glass of ale.
"Is that woman to be a part of my court?" She asked trying to hide the hurt in her voice.
"I think she would be an asset to your court." Klaus said. "She is from a highly ranked family. Her presence would be a great influence on you."
"You wish me to be a harlot then?" Lady Caroline could not hold back her words. The king didn't speak. The truth of her words caused Klaus to stiffen. He was not used to being spoken to this way.
Yet here he stood here as the future queen defied him.
"I'm absolutely sure Lady Tanya is here more so for your benefit than mine." Lady Caroline crossed her arms. "She will not be apart of my court."
Klaus was across the room in seconds.
Both of his hands gripped her shoulders and pushed her against the wall. His grip wasn't painful or harsh, but it scared Lady Caroline to see him in this manner.
This was a side of the king that she feared to see.
"I have killed men for lesser words my queen." His voice was a harsh whisper. He was trembling and she knew that she had angered him greatly.
"You will accept Lady Tanya as one of your ladies in waiting." He commanded. "I will not have you disregard my decisions."
He released his grip on her arms and backed away.
"I expect to see you enter with her as a part of your court tonight." He told her. "There will be consequences if you chose to disobey me, Lady Caroline."
Lady Caroline stood in her bedroom just before sunset with her newly appointed ladies in waiting.
Lady Katherine was married to the king's brother, Elijah, Duke of York. She was also was swollen with child which pleased the people of England greatly. Lady Caroline knew as soon as she walked into the room that she had a connection with her.
And it was also a bonus that she was in relation to the king himself.
Lady Bennett, or Bonnie as Lady Caroline called her in private, traveled with her from Austria. Lady Caroline refused to push away her closest friend and she knew that if she had to bring in Lady Tanya under her wing, she would not be refused Lady Bennett.
Lady Rebekah was sister to the king. She was a wise choice, but not a initial choice. Lady Caroline knew that Rebekah would be an asset to her court if she had to put up with Lady Tanya. Lady Rebekah took word from no one but her brother, the king.
Lady Rebekah was due to marry an ally of the kingdom in a few short months, but Lady Caroline decided to take her under her wing anyway knowing that short time would be well deserved.
Lady Tanya made a late appearance to the gathering. She strode into the room and stood in front of all the women. Looking Lady Caroline up and down she took her place next to Lady Caroline. The act alone caused the other women in the room to gasp.
Lady Caroline clenched her fists. One woman would not so easily insult her. She would make sure that this woman would not be favored among her court.
Yet Lady Tanya was doing that herself with her actions.
When all the women were finally chosen, Lady Caroline refused to acknowledge her.
Lady Tanya just simply followed her and the rest of the women back to her chamber as they prepared for the night.
The dress that was made for Lady Caroline to wear tonight was a long gold gown, embroidered with silver diamonds. Lady Bennett stood behind her and pulled at the strings of her corset.
Lady Caroline held onto her midsection trying her best to breath as the whalebone constricted her lungs.
"Only one more pull, your grace." Lady Bennett pulled tightly one last time and quickly tied the ends of her corset.
Lady Caroline let out a huff of air as Lady Bennett retrieved her gown. Lady Tanya stood off to the side providing no assistance to the future queen.
"Would you mind helping me carry the gown, Lady Tanya?" Bonnie gave Tanya a crude look.
Lady Rebekah had yet to acknowledge Tanya, but Caroline knew that she wouldn't. Rebekah was as stubborn as a mule, but she would not be the one to correct the sister of the king.
She knew that when the king found out his sister was snubbing his mistress, he would be furious.
"I suppose I can." She pushed herself off of the wall and helped Caroline dress for the night.
Once they were all ready, they were escorted to great hall. Lady Tanya assumed her place next to Lady Caroline, but before the doors opened Caroline turned to her.
"You are not permitted to stand side by side with me." Her harsh words were true. Tanya stared at Lady Caroline as if she was joking before taking a slight step behind Caroline.
Lady Caroline scowled at Lady Tanya for her audacity. "Lady Tanya. I'm afraid you do not understand what I'm trying to explain. You must take your place behind the rest of the ladies. We descend according to rank."
Lady Tanya stomped her feet and stood behind Lady Bennett.
Lady Caroline looked forward and spoke once more before they entered grand hall. "I will not remind you of your place again, Lady Tanya. I will expect you to know it."
Tonight marked the third night of Klaus and Caroline's marriage union.
Now that Lady Caroline's court was almost fully in place, the more formal events were set to take place.
Lady Caroline bowed low to the king as she made her appearance in the great hall. The king took her hand and pulled her next to him. He leaned down and placed a kiss on the future queen's lips.
Lady Caroline couldn't help but glance at Lady Tanya as the king embraced her. Lady Caroline knew that as long and Tanya was around she would be a constant thorn in her side.
She had to find a way to get rid of her.
The room erupted in applause.
The king put his hand up and silenced the crowed.
"The future queen and I thank you for sharing in the celebration of our third night as man and wife. The union of England and Austria has brought great peace among our nation and will continue to do so for years to come!"
The room cheered again and the sound of music faded out the celebrations of the crowd.
Lady Caroline took a seat next the king. Her ladies in waiting took their place close to the king's advisors.
People started to gather in the center to dance. Lady Caroline nodded at her ladies in waiting giving them permission to freely roam in the grand hall. She knew how excited they were to indulge in the wedding festivities.
All of them made an advance to the dance floor except Lady Tanya. Lady Caroline ignored it deciding not to respond to her behavior.
A few moments later the king stood. Lady Caroline sat patiently waiting for him to extend his hand, but he never did.
He stood in front of Tanya and took her by the hand. He led her out to the dance floor and the entire room parted. Lady Caroline gripped the sides of the chair trying her best to seem composed.
What the king was doing was an absolute insult to the future queen.
The entire room stopped their dancing and allowed Klaus and Tanya to dance together. Lady Caroline did her best to keep her gaze on only those two.
The rest of the court was silenced or grouped together whispering of the king's actions. But none would say a word to him.
Slander against the king was treason. Words were spoken, but with trepidation.
Lady Caroline knew better.
An impeccably dressed man suddenly stood before her. She looked up at him noticing that he resembled the king.
"My brother isn't known for his good manners." Klaus' brother said to her. "Let me dissolve your discomfort and escort you to the dance floor." Caroline looked at him apprehensively questioning his motive.
"If you dance with me the king will not mind." Klaus' brother said sensing her fear.
Lady Caroline looked up at the man and smiled. She took his hand and decided to trust him.
What did she have to lose?
The murmurs grew louder.
Lady Caroline and the king's brother joined the king and Lady Tanya in the center of the dance floor.
"My name is Kol Mikaelson, Duke of Kent." He grinned.
"Lady Caroline," She introduced herself as Kol spun her around on the dance floor. "Future Queen of England."
"The future title suits you." He said. "I do apologize again for the behavior of my brother. He does as he pleases, but does not think of the consequences. I'm sure his actions alone tonight will give the court enough gossip for the next month." Kol chuckled.
As the song ended the crowd started to gather back in the center. Lady Caroline broke away from Kol, Duke of Kent and quickly found her ladies in waiting.
Lady Tanya still stood by the side of the king. Lady Caroline decided not to care and quickly found Rebekah, Bonnie and Katherine.
They all looked at her with concern, but Lady Caroline held her hand up and shook her head.
She did not need to contribute to the gossip of court.
They all stood by her side for the rest of the night. The king had not approached Lady Caroline once after she danced with his brother. She suspected that the act may have upset him, but what he did was no better.
Did he expect her to sit down and watch both of them embrace each other in front of everyone?
If she was to be the future Queen of England, she was certainly going to act like one.
As the night grew later, Lady Caroline decided to retire. She took Lady Bennett with her allowing the rest of the ladies to retire to their own chambers.
Once they were in the confinements of Lady Caroline's chambers, Lady Bennett began to take out the pins in her hair.
"I do not care for Lady Tanya, your grace." Bonnie was always honest. Lady Caroline admired that she could always count on Bonnie for a good opinion.
"The decision was out of my hand." She explained. Lady Caroline could say no more. She knew assumptions would be made about Lady Tanya's presence in the court, but Lady Caroline did not dare to indulge in the gossip no matter how true it was.
She trusted Lady Bennett with her life, but she could not comment on the king's affairs.
Her distaste towards the woman was made and she would leave it at that.
Lady Caroline's bedroom door slammed causing both her and Bonnie to jump.
The king himself stood in the doorway with primal eyes.
Lady Bennett stood and bowed in response to his presence. He dismissed her with a shake of his hand. Bonnie didn't hesitate.
Lady Caroline stood with her back to the King.
Although he was never physically abusive, his rigid demeanor caused her to tremble.
He approached her slowly placing both of his hands firmly on her waist.
His lips were at her ear. "Do you perceive me to be a jealous man, Lady Caroline?"
Slowly, he loosened the strings on her corset releasing her from her confinement.
She let out a huff of air briefly enjoying the release.
His hands were cool on her lower back. Caroline shivered.
She shook her head fighting back the tears that were already starting to form.
His impassive behavior scared her. His tactic wasn't direct.
The King was questioning her, but she did not know what she did.
"I will not be made a fool." He told her. Lady Caroline's dress dropped at her feet leaving her exposed.
Oh he was angry with her and it wasn't going to go unpunished.
AN:
As you can see, Lady Tanya is going to be a huge problem.
Lady Caroline is still trying to find her way in the realm of the kingdom and as Lady Caroline put it…. Tanya will be a thorn in her side.
Sorry to leave it as a cliffhanger…. But it will allow you to speculate!
AND if you don't follow me on tumlbr please do! belchel