I am unsure of these feelings conflicting with me. I have known Charlotte for two years now, but as she enters womanhood, my feelings are becoming something more. I think that she is beautiful. When I see her face, I want to caress it. I want to hold her body close to me. However, I know we have a small age gap. She is Niklaus' age. A part of me worries that bringing her to our home this evening will spark something with him. Nik is a male, too, of course. I do not know what to do. For now, I shall get ready for this evening when she dines with my family. I do hope it goes well,

-Elijah.

He was ready. Everything was ready and perfect. There was a knock at the door, to which Niklaus answered. Elijah could hear them from the next room.

"Good evening. You must be Charlotte." He nodded curtly to the girl and her parents, then stood aside for them to enter. Elijah made his entrance by this point.

"Ah! Charlotte, I am ever so glad that you and your family made it."

The family entered the eating room and were seated after being cordially shown to their seats by Mikael. It was not long until Esther brought the food to the table. Klaus, who was sitting next to Rebekah, had been making snidey comments to Elijah all day about this little dinner date. He had tried to get it out of his system before the actual meal, but some things just slipped...

"I think our brother wants to skip the banquet and go straight to the bed, do you agree, Bekah?" He sniggered, catching the eye of Charlotte's mother... And Mikael.

"Would you be quiet, boy." Mikael spat, eyes shooting daggers at Niklaus. The boy's smile faded quickly and he turned his head into his food.

"So.." Esther said quickly, aware of the tension rising between her husband and son, "How long have you known our Elijah, Charlotte?" The blonde woman's smile looked almost false as she looked at her.

Swapping looks with Elijah for a moment, Charlotte spoke, "I and Elijah... we enjoy meeting up occasionally... just to talk." She paused. "I met Elijah about two years ago."

"You never mentioned that you were active with a minor for so long, brother." Klaus muttered, still looking at his food but smirking.

"Niklaus!" Esther squeaked.

"That is enough!" Mikael rose to his feet and stormed to his son's side, grabbing him by the hair. "You have embarrassed this family enough this evening." Pulling him from his chair, Mikael dragged Niklaus to the front door and shoved him outside. "Come back when you have learned your manners, boy." And the door slammed behind him.

Mikael returned to the table, an apologetic look made apparent to Charlotte and her family. "I am deeply sorry for my son's behaviour." His eyes lingered on Charlotte, who looked shocked and uncomfortable.

After a long chat between the families, Charlotte's father rose to his feet. "Thanking you. All of you for kindly welcoming us into your home." He spoke, offering to shake Mikael's hand. Charlotte and her mother then rose to their feet, too. And eventually, everyone was standing.

"Yes. It has been a pleasure to meet all of you." Charlotte nodded curtly to Elijah's parents, then she turned to the boy himself. "I shall see you later." She whispered and smiled kindly. Elijah's heart fluttered, and he just smiled.

Charlotte and her family left Elijah's household with her parents, with a smile placed on her face. Well, that was until she saw a body lying on the floor, a few feet away from the house. At first, she thought he was dead, but then he turned on to his back and she was able to see who it was. It was Elijah's little brother, Niklaus. "Mother. Father. May I catch you up?" She asked, giving her parents a nod. They were fine with it, and carried on their way home.