Hello my lovely readers,

First of all: SORRY for not uploading sooner! 2 months, wow, I promise to never let it get that far again. I've been terribly uninspired and lazy but thanks to AddriannaDestiny's review, I found my inspiration again ;) You should really check out her stories, they're great!

I hope this chapter can make up a bit for the long wait.

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW please :D

Much love, Junia

"A simple word, a gesture. Someone to say you're beautiful."

~ 'Save The Hero' by Beyoncé ~

The ball room became quiet immediately. The tension which was suddenly in the air was virtually tangible as all the debutantes swarmed forwards to get a better look at the podium.

"Ouch", I could hear a man close by whimper. Katherine had apparently trod on his foot while trying to literally punch her way through the crowd to get a better view. Her face wore an eager yet sublime expression that reminded me again of all the reasons why I'd rather die than seeing her win.

With pounding heart I rivet on Mrs. Lockwood again.

"And … the queen of this year's out-coming party … "

No one spoke.

"… is …."

No one even breathed.

"Miss Caroline Forbes."

It took me some time to realize that it was my name she had called. Not Katherine's, not Elena's nor anybode else's. Mine.

Applause rose. People stood up on tiptoes to get a glimpse of me. I could feel my face heat and was dead certain that this year's queen of the debutantes was as red as a tomatoe right now but I didn't care – I did it. I had won. And it felt better than I had ever imagined it to feel like. Just as I started to walk towards the podium and felt everyone's eyes on me, I realized how much this moment truly meant to me.
"Please, Miss Forbes, come to me." With a smile, Mrs. Lockwood waved me nearer and I somehow managed not to stumble when I obeyed her instruction.
"As many of you know", I heard her say from far away, "it is tradition that a dance with our respective queen can be won by an auction. This year's purchased money is going to benefit the children's home of Mystic Falls, so I suggest not to be tightfisted, gentlemen."
Renewed clapping of hands occurred while an elder man whom I could identify as a jury's member climbed the podium.

"We're going to begin in a small way", he declared and gave a little cough. "Who bids 20 pounds for a bout with this lovely young lady?"

Relief captured me when I watched several hands shooting up. A tiny little part of me had been afraid of the humiliation to not be wanted by any men, even though I knew it was ridiculous – every queen of the debutantes was desired by default.

"30 pounds?"

Almost every hand stayed up in the air. It was too crowded to be able to make out all of their faces but I was certain Tyler was one of them. At this point I wasn't even sure if I liked it or not.

"50 pounds?"

Only five hands didn't fall down this time. My heart started beating faster. Last year's queen had been "sold" for 75 pounds and even though I knew it was a bit ridiculous I suddenly wanted nothing more than to beat her.

"I'm bidding 80 pounds on Miss Forbes."

Heads whipped around to spot the man whom this husky voice belonged to. He stood in the middle of the lot and appeared rather pleased with himself. His face looked familiar but it took me a moment to realize where I had seen him before - he was one of the two men Elena had referred to as Klaus' siblings, the younger one who was now scrutinizing me with a vicious grin that made me flinch from him. Even though I hadn't exchanged a single word with him yet, I was all of a sudden very certain that I did not want to share a dance with him. The way he had called me 'Miss Forbes' somehow sounded not gallant at all but more like an insultment.

Caught off guard the judge next to me kept still. It was very uncommon that the auction was interrupted by a gentleman submitting a tender without being asked, in fact it was even considered rude and impolite and he was apparently indecisive how to react.
Before he had time to collect himself and resond, another bidding got delivered.

"100 pounds!"

This was undoubtfully Tyler speaking. I saw him now standing close by with a smug look on his face.

The Origianl didn't seem impressed. "120 pounds", he argued calmly and still grinning.

Tyler was on edge. "150."

"160."

"Gentlemen, really!", the jugde interferred, clearly unable to cope. "You can't … I beg you-"

"I'm bidding 500 pounds for a dance with Miss Caroline Forbes."
Stunned Silence.

My mouth became dry. That was impossible … it couldn't be him … why would he of all people bid for me?!

A buzzing elevated in the hall as everybody began to whisper secretly behind their hands.

500 pounds. Not many queens managed to be come under the hammer within a three-digit range – but 500 pounds, that was insane. The judge, obviously deligthed that this unpleasant situation came to an end used the bafflement for his own purposes and clapped his hands. "And this year's queen of the debutantes is won by the gentleman in black over there for 500 pounds."
The rest joinged in his applause hesitantly while Klaus Mikaelson made his way through the crowd in my direction, his gaze locked into mine.

I stared at him speechlessly. What could he possibly want from me that was worth his money?

Elena's warning slipped into my mind and I shivered: had he only bought this dance to torture me? To feed my fears and remind me how powerful he was?
Oh, the irony: Just moments ago I had desired nothing more than to beat last year's queen and now I'd rather be sold away to any of those nice and harmless men for 5 pounds.

Be carful what you wish for because you just might get it.
Torn between worry, self-consciousness, fury and curiosity I looked down at Klaus who stood in front of the podium and offered his hand to me.
"May I have this next dance, love?"

Aware that everybody was staring at us and I wasn't in the position to cause a scene, I courtsied and flashed him by best and brightest fake smile. "I'd be delighted, Mr. Mikaelson."

"Please", he whispered into my ear when he pulled me closer to him. "Call me Klaus."

The orchestra started playing a sweet and beautiful piece of music as he led me to the middle of the dancefloor. People drew back to give us some space. I spotted several shocked or angry faces in my surrounding – Klaus' brother and Tyler looked both utterly displeased when we drifted past them, Katherine created the impression that she would enjoy nothing more right now than me getting suddenly hit by the chandelier, whereas Elena, Bonnie and my parents seemed to be alarmed and concerned.

It's okay, I'm fine, I reassured Elena with a light smile.

She shook her head. No, you are not and you know it.

"I can tell from the expression of your face that you are not particularly pleased that it was me who won you."

Klaus voice dragged me back from my thoughts.
I flashed my eyes at him. "I'm glad you noticed."

My confession didn't seem to offend him much. "Believe it or not, love, but you are better off with me than with this mess that is called my brother or this boy who isn't able to perform a dance without hurting anybody who is unlucky enough to stand close to him."
His words hid a certain truth which annoyed me all the more. "Well, I'd rather dance a thousand times with one of them than only once with somebody who litterally had blood on his hands just moments ago."

"You can't get over that one, can you?" He sighed. "How about you forget for an instant about our first encounter and just enjoy this unique moment? You are chosen queen which I know means a lot to girls your age, you look ravishing and you finally got a dancing partner who knows how to lead."

To my own astonishment that wasn't even an overstatement: he was indeed a very good dancer.

His posture was erect and his hold on me not too tight or too weak. He was … perfect.

But I'd rather bitten my tongue than to admit that to him so instead I just raised my eyebrows. "Not arrogant at all, aren't we?"

He chuckled and swung me around. "I have every reason to be, love. I'm the most powerful creature on earth."

The most powerful creature on earth with a serious god complex. This thought made me giggle.

His face became suddenly soft. "Has anyone ever told you that you are even more beautiful when you laugh?"

I paused and couldn't help blushing. Those words should have sounded cheesy but the way he looked at me while saying it made it anything but.

"Why are you so nice to me?" I eyed him suspiciously.

"Do I really need an ulterior motive to pay a woman a compliment?"

"Yes." I nodded heavily. "I know all about you vampires! You do not feel and you do not care. And if you are one of the oldest of your species, you must be even worse than the ones I already had the displeasure to come across. You can tell me how beautiful I am all you want but it won't change the fact that I know what you are."

His grip on my waist stiffened. "And what would that be, Miss Forbes?"

It took me all my courage to look him straight into the face. "Bloodthirsty. Cruel. And Insensitive. You are a monster."

He narrowed his eyes. Without wanting to I noticed their color: blue with some bright green and gold parts in it. They were gorgeous. And they didn't look cruel at all. Rather … lost.

"Be careful, love." He pulled me closer to him. Through his vest could feel his muscular torso pressed against me but no heart beat. "If I'm the monster you think I am, it's not very wise to insult me then now, is it?"

"Apparently you are used to people knuckling under to you and I'm more than happy to be the exception", I replied sweetly. "Maybe that's why you wanted to dance with me in the first place?"

He brought his face unbelievable close to mine. "One day I will tell you why I've chosen to do that. But you're not ready to hear my reasons yet."

Before I had a chance to ask him what he meant by that cryptic remark, the violins ended the dance with a last high and bittersweet note.

Klaus stepped away from me and bowed politely. "It was a pleasure dancing with you, Miss Forbes. We shall repeat that at the next ball."

With that, he left me.

For no reason the spaces where his hands had touched me before felt cold all of a sudden.

I know, I'm only taking mini steps with Klaus & Caroline so far ;) But somehow that's what feels right for my story, so I hope you don't mind too much. Their bond will grow in the next chapters!