(A/N- Hey guys! How are you enjoying the story so far? Special thanks to my wonderful beta, RubyDragonJewel! Go check out some of her great stories! Enjoy the chapter and leave a review!)

I awoke to warm sunlight streaming in through my window and the sound of birds chirping. I threw the blankets off my body, running to look out the window. I love seeing the early-morning sun and the land when no one has arisen.

I wrapped a crimson silk robe around my cream nightgown, then sat onto the windowsill. I opened it, wanting to feel the cool breeze on my face. I breathed in deeply, feeling refreshed. I hugged my knees to my chest, looking out over the trees that surrounded our property.

"Miss Bella! Good morning!" I looked down, seeing three men standing in the drive. Elijah, Klaus, and my father were standing by the front door. I waved, resting my head on my knees.

"Good morning, gentlemen." I said, raising my voice so they could hear me. I closed my window, walking over to my closet. I looked through, deciding on a dark red dress. I dressed quickly, then brushed my curly hair. I put a black jacket that cinched at the waist over it, and a pair of plain black boots.

I walked downstairs, going to the kitchen for breakfast. Our cook had set out a bowl of strawberries, along with a glass of fresh orange juice. I assumed that father had already eaten his breakfast. I ate the berries slowly, not wanting to confront Elijah and hypothetically find out that the way he acted last night was simply a facade.

A few minutes later, a soft knock on the back door stirred me from my musings. I straightened my jacket, walking to open it. I was greeted by Elijah, a bouquet of Amaryllis in his hand. I took them, holding them to my nose.

"Thank you, Mr. Mikaelson. I will go and put these in a vase." He followed me into the house, putting his hand on my back. I shrugged it off, walking slightly faster. He matched my pace, a confused expression gracing his face.

"Are you feeling alright? I thought we were on better terms?" I bowed my head slightly, finally reaching the kitchen. I took a vase down from a shelf, filled it with water that our cook had gotten from the well earlier, and put the flowers in it. They were my favorites, actually.

"I think it was the adrenaline from the party. Or perhaps the notion of your statement. Whatever it was, I think it has gone away." This was a lie, however he won't know.

"Are you certain, Isabella?" Suddenly he was directly behind me, whispering in my ear. I nodded, bracing myself on the table.

"I prefer Bella. Isabella is my grandmother." I turned around, coming face to face with him.

"And I prefer Elijah, however you insist on formality. I think," he said, running his hand along my collarbone, "that you enjoy my company more than you let on." I slapped his hand away, whipping my body away from him. These actions are something father would never approve of unless under the title or courtship or marriage.

"You're incorrect, Sir. I do not appreciate being taken advantage of, especially when it's nonsense like 'soulmates.' You and I both know that no one truly married for love in this time. I also do not insist on formality, I just prefer to call you by something I'm comfortable with, Sir Elijah. Is that better?"

"Not by much, my dearest. Besides, I'd rather you call be by my name in a voice that shows you had been pleasured by me, sweet Bella." I gasped, turning back to face him.

"You should never speak in that way to a lady!" My cheeks flushed, and I stomped away from him, going up the stairs to my room, where I'd hide out until he left. I didn't want to be, but I knew I was right. His manner at the party was a fleeing thing.

"My apologies, Miss Bella. I hadn't meant to offend you. I was merely stating a fact!" He called after me, chasing me up the stairs. He caught me by my arm, twirling me around. "I truly didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Please accept my apologies and forgive me," he begged, kissing my hand lightly.

"Fine. I forgive you. Now, why did you come here today?" He brightened when I forgave him, and his smile became even wider when I asked him why he was here.

"I'm here to ask you to accompany me to the market today. Niklaus will be coming as well. Will you please join me, Miss Bella?" His eyes were so hopeful, and it became nearly impossible to decline."

"Yes, Sir Mikaelson, I will accompany you today." He smiled again, takin my hand and leading me downstairs to my father and Niklaus. My father somehow straightened even more when we stepped outside, and I could see him trying to hide a smile at the sight of my hand in Elijah's.

"Did Niklaus tell you of our plans, sir?" Elijah asked my father, becoming her formal for a man who claimed to dislike proper attitude towards others.

"Yes, he did. I will allow you to take my daughter out to the market. However, I would like to speak with her before you leave." Elijah nodded, handing me off to my brought me over to the side of the house, ensuring our privacy.

"Isabella, I know you may be slightly wary of these men, but it would be a great asset to our family if you began courting Elijah. Think of us today, Isabella, we need your full cooperation. You need to marry this man for our sake, dear." I held in my anger, nodding at my father. He's a selfish man who only cares about himself. I walked back to the Mikaelson men, accepting Elijah's arm when he held it out for me to take. He helped me into their carriage, sitting next to me when he got in. He attempted to wrap his arm around my waist, but I brushed him off, making Niklaus smirk.

"Sir Niklaus, you may want to keep your emotions to yourself. I haven't always been known to keep my emotions to myself." His smirk dropped, his eyes clouding over. He looked down at his hands, no longer taking interest in me or Elijah. I looked to the skirts of my dress, rubbing the luxurious material between my fingers. I felt eyes on me, so I looked at Elijah through the corner of my eye. He was staring directly at me, making me blush and turn my head back down to face my dress. I played with the hem of my jacket, patiently waiting for us to arrive at the market.

When we finally stopped, the footmen opened the door, and I was the first to exit. I began walking throughout the stalls, knowing the men would follow me. I stopped to admire a moonstone necklace, the silver chain glinting in the sunlight. Elijah spoke quietly with the owner, and I set the necklace down. I walked away very slowly, not wanting him to lose sight of me. I heard his footsteps running to catch up with me, and I turned around to meet his eyes. He handed me a small pouch and I took it, feeling the weight. My eyes began to become wider as I took the object out of its packing. The moonstone necklace.

"Oh, Elijah! I can't accept this!" I began putting it back in the pouch, in attempts to return it.

"Nonsense, I saw you were admiring it, and it shall be yours. You are the type of women who should have anything she desires. Besides, gifting you with it brought you to say my name without any formalities." He smiled, taking the necklace from me and draping it over my neck. The chain was long, and the necklace went down to just below my chest. I hugged Elijah then, not for long, but it felt right to be held in his arms.

"Thank you, Elijah. I truly appreciate this." He smiled again, leading me further into the market. We explored for a while, eventually coming to rest on a bench just outside the market square. I closed my eyes, leaning back to rest on the bench. He then wrapped his arm around me, and I didn't move it, content sitting here with him in this moment.

"Well isn't this a sight," I heard Niklaus say, and I opened my eyes to see him walking up to us. "Isabella getting along with my dear brother," I cut his sentence off, upset that he had ruined our moment.

"Don't forget what I said in the carriage, Sir Niklaus." His smirk dropped, he eyes going to the ground.

"My apologies. I'm here to tell the both of you that it is time to leave." He walked away, presumably back to the carriage. I stood, following him. Elijah caught up with me, taking my hand in his, making me blush. I allowed it, feeling comforted from the small embrace. We loaded into the carriage, and began making our way back to my home. When we arrived, I was let out, but before fully exiting, I thanked Elijah.

"Thank you for the day out, as well as the necklace. It was very kind."

"You're very welcome, my dear. However, please don't forget my statement from last night. I will need to speak with you privately very, very soon." My smile dropped, as well as my heart. I nodded at the both of them, exiting the carriage and practically running back inside. My father awaited me, anxiously waiting for a description of the day.

"Hello Isabella. How were things?"

"Very good, father. It seems as if Sir Elijah wishes to court me." He beamed, making me inwardly cringe. "I apologize, father, but I am very tired from the market and I'm going to retire to my quarters. I will be back doe for dinner"

"Very well, darling," he said, a large smile still gracing his face. I nodded in his direction, heading up the stairs to my room, thoughts of Elijah swirling around my head.