Thanks to everyone who continues to read and review this story! Keep the reviews coming :) I love hearing your reactions to the chapters.
Also, while I do appreciate every review I would just like to remind everyone this is an AU, and while I try my best to stick to canon, the whole point of an AU is to take certain liberties. So, while some of the characters may not be in exact canon, I hope that you're enjoying what I'm creating nonetheless and thank you for your support.
Enjoy! I really loved writing this chapter.
xxk
Caroline looked at herself in the mirror, watching as Katherine helped to measure her. Why was she doing this? This wasn't what she really wanted. She felt like she was just settling because it felt like the more honorable thing to do.
She sighed and Katherine looked up at her. "What's wrong, my lady? Do you not like the silk? Perhaps we can find someone else to get us a better fabric."
Caroline shook her head. "No, Klaus said that she's the best for fabrics," she said, smiling at the dressmaker.
Katherine nodded and continued to circle Caroline. "You're a very lucky woman, for Elijah to still want you after the embarrassment you caused him."
Caroline caught Katherine's eyes in the mirror and frowned. "Excuse me?"
Katherine shook her head and laughed softly. "My apologies, my lady. I shouldn't have been so bold."
"No, you shouldn't have," Caroline agreed, "but please elaborate on what you meant."
Katherine nodded. "Alright…you running away embarrassed our town, the town where we all live, where you are from. You two were at the height of society, especially with Elijah being a Prince and the rightful future King of the Mikaelson estate."
"And me running away after his abuse made him the embarrassed one?" Caroline shook her head, this was nonsense.
"It showed the town that he was a weak man and that not even a woman would listen to him."
"If you're so convinced he is a perfect man, why don't you –"
"Excuse me," came a voice as the curtains of the tent were pulled back. Caroline didn't need to meet his eyes in the mirror – she already knew it was Klaus.
"Your highness," Katherine started, "we were just –"
"I need to speak with Caroline, alone," Klaus said, not letting Katherine finish. "Now."
The dressmaker rose from her position on the floor and exited the tent with Katherine, leaving Caroline standing there with the fabric draped around her body.
"I see you took my word for Amelia's work," Klaus said, walking to stand behind Caroline. "This silk looks beautiful on you."
Caroline bit her bottom lip and looked down. "Thank you, my lord."
"Do you really want to marry my brother, Caroline?"
Caroline opened her mouth to speak but Klaus continued before she could.
"Because if you do then I will leave you be. I'll stop jumping in and confusing you and asking you to make decisions. The last thing I'm going to do is make such an effort if the effort will not be returned."
I don't want you to stop. Caroline thought to herself.
"I don't know what I want, Klaus."
"Getting fitted for a wedding dress contradicts that very statement."
Caroline sighed. "I spent last night with Elijah and it made me think."
"I'm well aware of where you were last night," Klaus answered, his eyes dark as he watched her in the mirror.
Caroline frowned. "Are you spying on me?"
Klaus shrugged. "That's not the point. Caroline, I know I said –"
"No, Klaus…this is not going to happen. I'm not going to have you criticize me now after you've been so understanding. One minute you're fine with giving me time and now because I was in Elijah's chambers last night, you don't have time to wait for my answer. As you said, you don't want to continue with any efforts, well maybe you shouldn't. I'm not even worth all of this bother and I'm starting to feel like I'm in between two spoiled little boys and it's more about who's going to be the victor and not who…who…"
"Who what, Caroline? Who loves you more?"
Caroline turned around to look at him. "I didn't say –"
"You didn't have to. I know it's what you meant. And I never said I loved you."
Caroline felt her bottom lip tremble but clenched her jaw. "Why are you doing this? Why are you being so mean?"
"Because it's what you need, Caroline. You need a final push into making a decisions and I have grown tired of your games." He cupped her cheek and took a deep breath. "Marry Elijah, Caroline."
Caroline searched Klaus' eyes, trying to see if he was being genuine with his words, but she couldn't figure him out. "Is that what you really want?"
Klaus took a few steps back and nodded. "Yes, Caroline. It is. You two deserve each other."
Caroline nodded her head once and turned back around. "Well, if you're finished I have a dress to be fitted for. I'm getting married in a couple of days."
Klaus turned to walk out of the tent but stopped, not turning around. "And just so you know, you are worth it."
"There he is," Rebekah said as she and Stefan sat on the beach as Klaus approached them. They had been enjoying a nice picnic, that she had originally invited her brother to, but he had declined.
"There isn't enough food for you," Stefan teased, but when he saw the look on Klaus' face he stopped.
"What's the matter?" Rebekah asked, getting up on her knees.
Klaus sat down on the blanket and grabbed a piece of bread, shoving it into his mouth. "I surrendered."
"To Elijah?" his sister asked.
"Yes. But, he doesn't know it yet. I told Caroline she deserves Elijah."
Stefan shook his head. "God, you're an idiot."
Rebekah smacked his arm and glared at him. "Niklaus, I'm sorry. Maybe, it's better this way. She's so indecisive and she's been going back and forth. I feel like you were going to get hurt the more you got involved."
Klaus nodded. "That's why I severed my ties. He can have her. He always gets what he wants eventually."
Stefan sighed. "I'm sorry, Nik. I know that you liked her. Finally, a woman who can tolerate you and you just throw it all away. Bravo."
"Stefan," Rebekah scolded.
"No, I'm sorry. You want me to sit here and hold his hand and pity him? I'm not going to do that. He gave up, like he always does when it gets tough against Elijah." Stefan stood up and walked down the shore, his hands in his pockets.
"He's just being an ass, Nik," Rebekah explained.
Klaus shook his head. "It's fine. He's right but I don't care anymore. I'm tired of fighting a losing battle against Elijah. He's so perfect, everyone loves him, who cares."
Rebekah nodded and was quiet for a while. "I'm sorry, Niklaus. I'm sorry that you feel you don't deserve love."
"I'm not in love with Caroline, Rebekah."
"Aren't you, though? This is what it's all about – you're afraid to be in love."
Klaus shook his head. "You're wrong, little sister. Love does not happen that fast."
Rebekah scoffed. "Of course it does. Love can happen in an instant. And I saw the look in your eyes when you brought her to the Castle and made me help her. I have never seen you be so compassionate and caring towards anyone, ever."
Klaus looked out at the sea, his gaze focusing on the waves from the tide. "It doesn't matter, Rebekah. She's Elijah's. Plain and simple. I get that message now loud and clear."
His sister shook her head and sighed. "Fine. Let him just win like that, throw it all away. But, I won't play into your pity party forever." She stood up and brushed off her face. "I'm going to go check on Stefan."
Klaus watched as his sister walked off in the direction Stefan went and closed his eyes. They were right. He was giving up, being a coward, and letting Elijah win.
But, most of all he was scared – scared of his feelings for Caroline. It was better this way.
"What are you doing sitting in here all alone?" Esther asked Caroline as she sat at the dining table all by herself.
Caroline looked up and smiled at the Queen, shrugging her shoulders. "I was just thinking about what kind of flowers to have at the wedding."
Esther joined her at the table and placed a hand on top of the young girl's. "Everyone is excited for the wedding. I've been waiting a long time to have Elijah settle down."
Caroline smiled politely. "He's a good man."
Esther eyed Caroline and removed her hand, sitting back in her chair. "Now, why don't I believe you when you say that?"
Caroline felt her cheeks get hot but tried to play it off. "Why wouldn't I mean it, your highness?"
"Because you don't. Because you don't love him, because you left him for a reason to begin with."
Caroline opened her mouth to defend herself but realized there wasn't a reason to lie. "I will learn to believe my own words. Not all marriages have to be about love."
Esther rolled her eyes. "My dear, such nasty words to imply to a mother about her son. Let me tell you a story. When my children were younger we all took a trip to the mountains, it was a three days travel inland. As usual, Niklaus and Elijah were fighting about who was going to get to the top of the mountain first. And when the time came and Mikael took the boys on their hike, Elijah was going to beat Niklaus and be first. Niklaus had tripped halfway up and cut his leg, and instead of rubbing it in his face that he was going to lose, Elijah put his arm around his younger brother and they made it to the top together."
The Queen stood up and Caroline looked up at her, not knowing what to say.
"So, before you try and convince me that my son is not an honorable man, or not worthy of a marriage full of love, I suggest you think before you speak."
Caroline started to stand up to defend herself but Esther waved her hand and shook her hand. "Have a good night, my dear. I hope you sleep well."
Klaus walked down the hall, trying to find his room. He realized he was on the wrong floor and laughed. He was so out of it. Caroline was still distracting his mind and he couldn't think straight.
He knew there was no way he was going to stay for the wedding, and would leave in the morning to get out of the Kingdom until the wedding was over and the happy couple made their way back to wherever it was they came from. He heard voices and moved to duck behind a pillar by one of the windows. He saw Katherine, Caroline's handmaiden, leaving a room. She was laughing, facing whoever was on the other side of the door.
Klaus smiled.
Kol.
Leave it to Kol to already seduce the woman and she'd only been here a few days.
He was going to come from out behind the pillar and tease the two when he saw a different man walk out from the protection of the doorway.
More like the wrong brother.
Klaus watched as Elijah kissed Katherine quickly on the lips, wearing only a pair of pants. His hair was tousled and it didn't take a genius to realize what was going on.
"Hurry and get back before she notices you're gone. Remember what happened when she caught us the first time?" his brother said.
Katherine giggled and turned to walk towards the stairs and Elijah swatted her behind.
Klaus moved back behind the pillar completely when he saw Elijah look around, and only when he heard the door close did he walk quickly back down the opposite side of the hallway, heading the right way to get to his own room.
"You bastard," Klaus mumbled as he walked down the stairs, grinning.