"Would you like the emeralds or the diamonds today, your highness?" Elizabeth ran her fingers lightly over the two necklaces.

"Does it really matter? He's not going to notice them anyway. The diamonds then." Elizabeth stared at herself in the mirror without really being able to see herself. Damon having a second wife was hard enough without having it paraded around in her face, especially when he seemed to be falling in love with the girl.

"It's not my place to mention this your highness, but I think now more than ever it's very important you don't give up and maintain your place. You're the Queen of Pendleton. Don't let someone from a distant country take that away from you." Elizabeth shot her a small smile.

"Thank you Helen, the King said that he wanted to talk to me today before breakfast and he should be here any moment. Make sure everything is organized?" Helen nodded and instructed the other hand maidens to pick up anything left over and left the room. A moment later, Damon entered Elizabeth's bedroom chambers with Elizabeth standing in front of the windows. Elizabeth knew why he was here, today was the last day of his courtships ending with Katherine Pierce and he made his decision. Elizabeth let out a mirthless chuckle and crossed her arms with no intention of curtsying. The entire country knew the reason behind Damon's new wife and here was her husband here telling her that he was in love with somebody else.

"Elizabeth," She turned around to see Damon hesitantly walking towards her with his hands behind his back.

"Your highness, "Elizabeth greeted him without a curtsy or a smile. Damon let out a deep nervous breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"Elizabeth…I apologize for this situation. I know that I haven't spent any time with you the past couple of days and I apologize for that. I know that you wanted me to simply find a woman to produce and heir and return to you, but I can't simply use a woman and leave her in the family without including her."

"I wasn't planning on that, Damon. I just didn't realize you'd fall in love with Elena so quickly. That's why you're here, isn't it? To tell me that you're going to announce you've chosen Elena as your bride? That you picked her out of the crowd even though she had come to Pendleton with no intention or marrying you!"

"I came here to tell you in advance that I'm choosing Elena as a courtesy because you're my wife and I love you. I didn't plan on falling in love but I did and I need to know that you'll be able to get along with Elena."

"You want me to get along with a woman that you're in love with? I know now that I have to compete with this woman for the rest of my life for your attention or to maintain my position." Slowly walking up to Damon to glare at him she angrily whispered. "Should I ever lose the role as Queen of Pendleton, I am still a princess and need I remind you that our marriage was to unite our two countries, should you make it difficult for me; I promise you I'll make it even more difficult for you." Damon looked down at her sadly. He had no intention or ruining his wife or bringing out her anger.

"I know, Elizabeth. I will do everything I can to give the both of you equality. I promise you I will do what I can. But…I do love Elena, and I will protect her if you insist on making this difficult. I hope it doesn't come to that, Elizabeth. Let's go to breakfast."

Anne was heading to her courtroom with Bonnie at the same moment as she just found out her son was in the country again. Heading through the doors, Anne came from behind her throne and took her seat as Stefan and Katherine turned around to look up at her. Katherine curtsied and Stefan bowed beside her.

"Stefan. Why did you not contact me and tell me you've come back into the country, how long have you been back?"

"Very briefly, mother. In just under a couple of days." Anne nodded.

"Why are you here, Katherine?" Katherine gave Anne a small smile and turned to Stefan for an explanation.

"Mother," Stefan took Katherine's hand into his own. "I hope to make Katherine my wife." Anne slammed her fist into her armrest.

"No. Katherine is here in a courtship to be Damon's bride. For her to switch brothers is disgraceful and will not be tolerated either by this country or by myself."

"She has not yet begun her courtship with Damon as she was supposed to spend today with him. She hasn't begun a courtship with him yet. She's simply had a dance with him the first night."

"This is your brother, Stefan. You cannot do this. "

"I am your son as well, and I thought you would be happy that I've finally chosen to settle down."

"Your highness, I know that this may seem rather unusual, but I feel much more of a connection with Stefan than I've had with the King. I've not had a chance to speak with him alone or get to know him at all. "Katherine spoke up. Anne glared at her.

"Katherine, you seem to be under the impression that your opinion or what you want is relevant in any way. Do not be mistaken. You are here for a courtship with Damon, how is it that you have the audacity to bring this level of shame onto the royal family."

"Mother, may I speak to you in private?" Katherine nodded to Stefan and left the room. "Mother, I'm about to marry Katherine with or without your blessing. It would be preferred if I could have your blessing, but this is not the only Kingdom in the world."

"Are you threatening me, Stefan? You may be my son, but you are not the King. "

"You're my mother and I love you, I'm just saying that I would prefer to be able to stay here with your welcome." Stefan turned and walked out without saying another word.

"What did she say, Stefan?" He shrugged.

"There's no way she'll just let me walk out of this Kingdom. The fact that she didn't chase after us tells me she's in the process of acceptance. Sooner or later, I'm going to be King and you'll be glad to know you've chosen my side." Katherine smirked.

"We'll see about that. If Elena thinks I'm just going to roll over and play dead, she'll have another thing coming. "

"The fact you're willing to completely destroy your sister is just wickedly delicious." Katherine raised an eyebrow in his direction.

"You only think so because you're willing to completely destroy your brother."

"I guess we're just meant to be. I'm going to go talk to Damon. Come on." Katherine flicked her hair and followed closely behind.

Damon was striding down the hallway with Elizabeth next to him when Elena walked out of her bedroom chambers. Elena turned and curtsied to Damon and Elizabeth.

"Good Morning, your highnesses."

"Good Morning, Love." Damon lifted Elena's hands.

"Good Morning, Elena." Elizabeth glared at Damon. "I believe I owe you a congratulations and should welcome you to the family. The two women leaned in and gave each other a hug.

"Thank you, your highness. I just want to reassure you that I would never be able to take your place and I just want to peacefully live out my days without any intrusion to you at all." Elizabeth nodded.

"Likewise, Elena. Where is your sister?" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows suspiciously when Caroline became visible from the very end of the hallway and Katherine had still not emerged from her bedroom chambers.

"Your Highnesses," Damon and Elizabeth turned around to see Stefan and Kathrine walking up behind them.

"Stefan?" Damon gave him a small smile and they shook each other's hands.

"Brother, can we speak privately for a moment while all the ladies here get breakfast? I would hate to keep them all hungry." Stefan flashed a smile in their direction. "Good Morning, Elizabeth. You look beautiful as always." Elizabeth gave a small smile.

"The ladies and I will head to the great hall while you two brothers get acquainted; come." The three girls parted like the red sea for Elizabeth to head out first before following her downstairs.

"I want to marry Katherine, and I figured I'd try and have my brother give me his blessing." Damon frowned and crossed his arms.

"And why is it that you chose on of my potential brides to be yours?" Stefan shrugged.

"I really don't have a logical explanation for you, brother. I just saw her and I think it was almost love at first sight."

"When did you meet her?"

"Yesterday. I promise you that she was not involved with me when she began her courtship with you." Damon turned around to look out one of the windows in the hallway. He was going to choose Elena as his bride, he didn't court Katherine yet and had no intention of doing so. If any embarrassment from the kingdom was to happen; it would be on Stefan and Katherine and none of which on himself

"I give you my blessing brother. I've already decided to choose Elena as my bride." Stefan smiled and reached out to shake his hand.
"Congratulations. Are you going to announce it at court today?" Damon nodded.

"I think so, since I won't be courting Katherine at all. I think I'm going to move up the court from tomorrow to this afternoon. I'm going to announce my engagement and then you can as well?" Stefan nodded.

"I'm so very glad that you're back, Stefan. They kingdom should be ecstatic that both of us have found a bride. Now if you'll excuse me, I find it necessary to pull Elena aside for a moment to prepare her for the day ahead."