Beauty and the Beast
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or take any credit for it
The summer had ended and the autumn was in full swing. The hot, stuffy days had ended replacing it with chills and rain. The leaves had littered the ground like the nymphs had had a party and didn't clean up they're mess. The cold, grey sky hung about the Mikelson mansion in a glum manner, preparing for winter. The days grew shorter and the nights grew longer. Klaus loved this time of year none of that Christmas and peace to all men rubbish of winter. Or none of those happy summer and spring days to annoy him. Autumn was his time of year.
Caroline had been working at the Mikelson mansion for two long mouths now. The time had indeed seemed to drag by with her endless dull tasks and her hot and cold Master. A week ago Klaus gave her some money to buy some winter clothes. This was her first time outside the mansion or the village that lay near. Of course the clothes weren't as nearly as pricy as the gowns she used to wear. They were what servants should wear but Caroline liked the blue one because it matched her eyes. She said her thanks to her employer for his generosity. On mourning while she was handing Klaus his tea and newspaper while he was fumbling through his letters.
"This one is addressed to you" Klaus noticed handing it out for her.
"Thank you" Caroline thanked with her curiosity peaked.
He handed her the letter and picked up his newspaper. Klaus looked completely absorbed in his paper so Caroline hastily made her way out going straight her dingy little room. She looked at the envelope closely. It looked expensive and executive and it smelt of the life she once knew. The life of the upper class a life now beyond her reach. Caroline opened the letter and read it's contents. The handwriting was immaculate and inhumanly neat:
Dear Sweet Lady Caroline,
I have recently heard of your misfortunes while being in the North of Bulgaria on business for some mouths. It brings me more sorrow then I can bare to hear that you have become nothing more then a servant! I must do right by you and that is what I intend to do. Meet me by the Bleu Tavern at 6, two mouths from now. Asking this by letter is not the way I wanted to do it but I want to give you plenty of time to think on it. I want you to marry me Caroline. Which will further your fortunes if you say yes. If you do not come my heart will die of sorrow for I cannot imagine my world without you in it.
Please come my gentle lady.
From your dearest,
Gaston Tromper
Caroline reread the bizarre letter many times. He proposed to her? It seemed ridiculous, mad even! She hardly knew the man, Caroline only met him once. She had no idea he felt THAT strongly about her. Did she want to marry him? The answer seemed to divide her. One half of her wanted to marry him so she could be brought back to her old life. She wouldn't have to be a servant anymore and be a victim of Mikelson's mood swings. But the other half of her doesn't want to marry him. For the first time in her life she's making her own living, shaping her own path and she's loving it. If she got married then she'd just be someone's wife, not a woman of her own right. Also she'd feel like she would be betraying her master by up and leaving so soon. Caroline didn't know what to do. If the rest of her family could see her right now she'd know what they'd say:
"Caroline think of all the money you will receive! You could get me out of debtors prison for good" her father would say.
"They're a good, social high ranking family and you'd be a fool to refuse" her mother would say.
"Whatever your heart tells you Caroline. All that matters is that your happy" Elena would say.
"Why are you even thinking about this? Say yes you IDOIT!" Gabby would say.
But they weren't there. She was all alone and she made her own decisions. Luckily she had two mouths to think about it. Caroline had come to respect her Master over the last two mouths and she hoped he felt the same way about her.
...
Caroline was polishing a vase in a corridor near the music room. The proposal was still echoing through her mind. Surely she'd be a fool to say no? The idea of marrying someone she barely knows gave her knots her stomach. Suddenly she heard a sweet tune being played on the piano. It was Greensleeves and the tune was sad yet beautiful. It made you want to smile and cry all the same time. Caroline stopped polishing and made her way to the source of the sweet melody.
Master Mikelson was in the music room playing the piano. His expert fingers creating a heavenly effect. Caroline had never heard him play the piano before. She had begun to think it was only for show. But she could see clearly that wasn't the case. Caroline decided to do a brave thing. He'd either love it or hate it.
She started sing along with the tune.
"Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company"
Caroline sung along in English softly. Klaus looked at the intruder with surprise but didn't stop playing. He was amazed she could sing so well. Her voice was that of an Angel's smooth and pure. It made you want to smile and laugh at the same time. It matched so beautifully with the music.
"Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady Greensleeves"
They continued until the end of the song. When it'd finished Caroline smiled sweetly at him.
"You could give the Salvatore Brother's a run for they're money" Caroline joked.
Klaus brushed away the compliment by shrugging.
"So could you" he added.
Did he just pay her compliment?
She must of heard him wrong.
"Oh I don't know" Caroline shrugged, brushing away the compliment, "I'll get back to my tasks"
As she was ready to go he stopped her.
"No wait"
Caroline turned around to look at him expecting another order.
"I feel like I hardly know you. Sit" Klaus said, indicating a chair.
Klaus had never asked her personal question and neither had she. Caroline might as well be working for a complete stranger. It was shocking how little she truly knew him. She knew his name, where he lived, his habits and what newspaper he read. That was it. Who was his parents? How does he earn his money? When was he born? She knew nothing and she was oddly curious. Caroline sat down on the chair indicated.
"Tell me about yourself?" he asked.
"I am born in Paris and I am almost 17 years old. I am the youngest child in my family. My family were wealthy merchants in Paris. William Forbes is my father, Elizabeth is my mother and they met at a ball in 1717. I have two sisters called Elena and Gabriella. Elena is the bravest person I know and Gabby is the smartest she-"
"What about you?" Klaus interrupted, "I've heard all about you family but what about you. What are you like?"
"I think your the first person to ask me that" Caroline said honestly, "I was always the odd one out in household. My Father always preferred my sisters to me"
Klaus understood the feeling having a different father to the others. He suddenly felt an odd feeling of sympathy.
"He doesn't sound like a very smart man. Now I'm still waiting for you to answer my question. What are you like?" Klaus probed.
Caroline felt she should feel angry that he insulted her father but all she did was chuckle in agreement.
"I guess you could say that I'm a dreamer" Caroline mused, "I love books and plays especially Molière's The Misanthrope"
"I believe I've read that one, what did you make of it?" Klaus asked.
"It's so thought provoking and timeless in the way it was a social satire for the day" Caroline smiled.
"I agree" he nodded his head, "I have a copy in my library if maybe you'd like to read it"
Her soul lifted with happiness at the thought of being able to enjoy a book again. A huge smile formed on her graceful features.
"I would love too, thank you" Caroline nodded.
"Well I'll see you at tea then" Klaus dismissed her.
"Ok" Caroline got up.
"Your father is a fool" Klaus suddenly said before she left.
"Thank you" was all she could say before she left.
Klaus wanted to kill the man if he got his-. Wow wait! Why did he care? WHAT ARE YOU DOING! His inner voice screamed at him. Remember the motto! Do you want to end up like your siblings? He was Klaus Mikelson for goodness sake he couldn't fall in love. Klaus mentally slapped himself for his stupidity. She was just a servant.
...
I'm running through the olde streets of Paris as the majestic moon shines behind me. The smell of they're mortal bodies and the sound of they're footsteps as they chase me. You never think about death much when your a Vampire. It's what happens to disgusting, weak humans. Not a mighty creature of the night like myself. The same thought circulated my mind:
I'm going to die.
Techniqually I'm already dead or undead as some people are calling us now. But I still feel so alive, I'm not a thing-
The Vampire callapsed-dead with a wooden stake through his heart. The proud thrower of said stake was beaming at his bounty:
Gaston
Gaston the vampire hunter picked up his favorite stake and dusted it down. He was apart of the brotherhood of the five and it was his life mission to kill vampires. When he'd heard that his precious Caroline was working for one he had to do something. Unfortunatly he was tied up in Bulgaria chasing a pertically nasty vampire. The only vampire he could stand was his fellow Vampire Hunter, Mikel.
"Good work Gaston" Mikel complimented.
Gaston turned around to face his colleage.
"Thank you"
"I hear your planning to kill my son" Mikel said.
"Do you have a problem-" Gaston began.
"No I don't. In fact I will help you" Mikel promised.
...
Klaus looked out of his window idly looking at the maid. She was cutting some of the Strewberries and putting them in a small straw basket. She looked really beautiful and he couldn't help but look. He knew it was unhealthy and against everything he stood for. Klaus knew he had to be harsh on himself.
For who could ever learn to love a beast...
A/N
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