Hey, here is the next chapter for this story. I have to say I really enjoy writing this story, and I'm glad so many of you are too.
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Please remember to review at the end! :D
Stefan found a suitable room for Caroline in the west half of the palace, with the rest of the girls in separate rooms.
"Why am I not with the rest of them?" Caroline asked in a small voice.
"Each girl is assigned a separate room, and will be treated equally. Only to the king will they be treated differently." Stefan replied.
Caroline nodded, and looked around the room she had been assigned.
"You will have breakfast in the morning with the rest, and will then be prepared for your one day with the king."
"Will I meet him tomorrow?" Caroline asked, with a small hint of hope.
Stefan smiled. "It is not up to me if tomorrow will be your day. I may be the head of the King's council, but Rebekah will oversee the decisions."
"I thought the King decided who he will marry."
Stefan smiled again. "He does, but the Lady Rebekah, his sister, decides the order of women who will meet her brother."
Caroline frowned. There had to be a sister.
"I shall see you tomorrow, Miss Caroline." Stefan replied with a bow.
Caroline smiled. "Can you call me Caroline?"
"It would not be proper?" Stefan replied.
Caroline dipped her head. "Very well, good night, Stefan"
Caroline bowed again. "Good night, Caroline." He whispered, and then walked out of the door.
Caroline smiled. She did not know how long she would be here, but she was glad that she had the makings of a great friendship for tomorrow.
She changed into a nightgown, which had been left on her bed, and then climbed into bed. She closed her eyes, and in her mind she began to imagine what the king looked like. If he was anything compared to his voice, she knew she might lose her heart. Trouble was if he did not favor her, she might not live to survive a broken heart.
~Hallway~
After Stefan had seen the girls to their rooms, he began to make his way towards the library. He was a corridor away when he felt a hand grasp his. He turned quickly to see a beautiful smile on an equally beautiful face.
"My lady," Stefan replied, with a small bow.
Rebekah rolled her blue eyes, and pulled Stefan into a safe room.
"I have a meeting with your brother." Stefan replied, urgently.
"My brother can wait a moment." Rebekah answered, looking at him with aggravation, but the aggravation melted and hope shown on her face. "About the young girls that were brought in tell about them."
Stefan sighed. "You will meet them at breakfast in the morning."
"Stefan, I cannot wait that long."
Stefan gave a slight nod; he knew the lady was an impatient woman, which was one of the reasons he had fallen in love with her, but he would never tell her as much.
"There is one girl; your brother seems to have taken an interest in." Stefan replied giving in.
Rebekah smiled. "Which one is she?" She asked.
"Her name is Caroline; and you will know her when you see her."
"Is she beautiful?" Rebekah asked.
Stefan knew what she was asking. "For your brother, yes she is beautiful."
"What about for you, Stefan?"
Stefan swallowed nervously. "She is beautiful, my lady, for your brother."
Rebekah frowned. Her little ploy did not go as she had planned. Oh, she longed to be told by Stefan that she was beautiful. She always asked for his opinion, and whenever she would pick out dresses she would pick out his favorite color. She remembered the day when she wore a red dress with a hint of white in the bodice; it was the only day Stefan ever commented on what she wore. He had told her she looked beautiful, and ever since that day Rebekah had been dressing to please him. If only he would notice, if only.
"I must go, my lady." Stefan replied.
Rebekah sagged just a little at his words. He would never tell her how beautiful she was ever again, until her brother was happy once more.
"Very well, Stefan. I shall see you tomorrow." She whispered.
"I look forward to it, my lady." He whispered back, and turned to leave the room.
Rebekah blushed at his statement. He did care about her. He did care.
~Library~
Stefan made it to the library, and gently opened the door. He found his friend, and King, sitting in his favorite chair with a scroll book in his hand, sketching his latest piece.
"My lord" Stefan replied with a bow.
"We are not in the presence of the court, Stefan. You can stop the act." Klaus replied with a smile.
Stefan smiled. "I am sorry I am late, but your sister stopped me in the hall."
Klaus smiled and then rolled his eyes. "She probably wanted to know about the girls, did she not?" He asked looking up at his friend.
Stefan let out a small laugh. "Yes, she did." Stefan answered, moving to a chair beside Klaus.
"What did you tell her?" Klaus asked, looking at his friend.
"I told her about Caroline."
Klaus felt his heart race at the sound of her name.
"You do remember Caroline, Klaus." Stefan asked with a hint of teasing.
Klaus glared at him. "Of course I do. It is hard to forget a woman, who freely admits she admires your own art work."
"She did ask if you did the paintings yourself."
Klaus looked surprised. "Did she?"
Stefan nodded. "I think she fancies you, Klaus."
"She only just met me today, Stefan."
Stefan shrugged. "I met your sister two years ago, Klaus. The day I met her I knew that I fancied her."
"And yet you have not told her, Stefan." Klaus finished.
Stefan shook his head, and lowered it. "I have not."
Klaus looked at his friend sadly. "My sister will be very lucky to have you, brother." He replied.
Stefan lifted his head, and gave his friend a smiled. "I believe your sister is on a mission of love, Klaus."
Klaus threw his head back and grunted. "My sister, the matchmaker, she never gives up does she."
"You are the one who told her to arrange it. You know Rebekah, she never does anything half way, and besides she wants her brother happy."
Klaus smiled. He could not deny the fact that his sister was one of a kind. It was one of the reasons she was special to him, not because they were blood, but because she was his light. When she moved in with him two years ago, it was one of the best days of his life. Unfortunately, Katherine did not approve. She tried everything to keep the siblings apart and finally a few months ago Klaus had enough. He thought about banishing her, but she had ties everywhere. He thought about executing her, but the kingdom would fall in disrepair if he did. Finally, after consulting with Stefan and the council, he came to a conclusion. Katherine would be sent somewhere where her ties would not matter, and then she was to be executed. Klaus hated to have to kill her, but she had crossed the line, and he had to take action.
"Thinking about Katherine again" Stefan asked.
Klaus nodded.
"You did the right thing, Klaus. Katherine was dangerous; you know this. If you had not acted she would have killed you, and Rebekah."
Klaus nodded again. "I know. I know." He whispered.
"The new captain of the guard, Mason, believes the threat has been taken care of. He assures me." Stefan replied, with venom.
"You do not trust him." Klaus asked.
Stefan shook his head. "I do not. There is something about him that does not set right with me."
"Stefan, you are always suspicious." Klaus replied with a laugh.
Stefan smiled. "It is better to be suspicious than to be a fool, Klaus."
Klaus' smile dropped. "Perhaps, Stefan," He paused reflecting. "Besides my sister, you are the only one I trust with my life, Stefan."
Stefan nodded. "I know, and the same goes for me."
Klaus gave a sad smile. "It is hard to find anyone worthy of such a trust, is it not?"
Stefan nodded in agreement. "I am grateful that you trust me, Klaus."
"I suppose it was inevitable. After all you did save my life, Stefan." Klaus replied with a smile.
"I had no choice in the matter. Your father would have killed you, if I had not stopped him."
Klaus frowned in remembrance.
His father had decided to teach him a lesson in front of the entire palace staff. He had tied Klaus to a pole, like a servant, and pulled out a whip. He was giving his son a thrashing, a bad one, when Stefan stepped up and wrenched the whip from Mikael's hand. Stefan barked orders to his men to untie the, then, prince. His men followed his command, without thought of the consequences, and untied the near dead Klaus.
It was at that moment, Klaus knew he had found a friend. Stefan was on eggshells for the rest of the week, as he nursed Klaus back to health. During those days, Klaus and Stefan became like brothers, closer than either could comprehend. When Mikael died and Klaus became king, he appointed Stefan his most trusted advisor. It was the highest honor, and the entire palace knew why. Klaus and Stefan were family, not by blood, but by honor.
"There is no use dwelling on that past, Klaus. Your father is dead, and he will no longer harm you." Stefan whispered.
Klaus nodded, and replied, "I know, but the scars will always remain, Stefan."
Stefan frowned for his friend, his brother. He hated seeing Klaus in pain, and Mikael had given him, his fair share. Stefan had vowed then and there, no matter what it takes, no one will ever harm Klaus that way again.
Klaus was his family, his only family.
Okay, what did you think? Still like it.
I know these characters are a little OC; I hope you still enjoy them. I wanted to add the friendship of Klaus and Stefan in this story, because I just love their friendship.
Anyway, please review. Currently working on next chapter! Yeah! :D
Until Next Time...
