C12

Caroline kept fiddling with her hands. Nervously wringing them together or pulling at her gloves. It was nerve wracking, standing there next to him, and waiting for their cue so they could walk down the grand staircase like a true King and Queen from some fairytale and be introduced to the people downstairs already conspiring against them, no doubt. Except this was not a fairytale. It was a nightmare. Her worst nightmare.

Klaus watched as Caroline bit her lip nervously or kept pulling the satin gloves that reached her elbows. She was nervous. Anyone with a pea sized brain could tell that but he was not sure why she was so anxious. She looked breathtaking in the flawless pure blue, chiffon, floor length, ruffled gown. It was almost too revealing for his taste, because of the teasing cleavage and the almost sleeveless nature of the dress, but as soon as he'd seen the dress, he knew Caroline would be the only one able to do justice to such a beautiful dress. He had immediately told his mother to give this dress to his future wife.

Although, he was resistant about choosing this particular dress for the event, his mother and sister had convinced him that his betrothed would love it but he still had to receive any appreciation from her behalf. To be honest, he wasn't expecting it now. Not after their fight in the hallway. He could tell that she was embarrassed but that was never his intention. Maybe you shouldn't have put up the bloody show across her chambers then?! A voice nagged in the back of his head.

He knew he had acted out but he had two choices. It was either to please Mikael or please Caroline. He had chosen wrong and now he started regretting even considering Mikael's advice.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're asking off me father. I mean you were the one who told me to treat her like royalty and like a true Queen and now you expect I show her, her place?" Klaus asked confused as he drank red wine from his chalice, sitting in his father's study. To be honest, Klaus had not understood what his father wanted him to do and he couldn't deny Mikael's wish, if he wanted his place as King to be secure.

"All I am asking from you, son, is to be careful with her. Don't let her rule you. She is a Forbes. We all know how their ladies are" the King reminded him as he gulped down the rest of his drink.

Klaus raised an eyebrow at his father with an amused smile. Who thought Mikael, the third, could be rattled this easily and that too by an eighteen year old, beautiful woman.

"We have given her enough time to adjust. Show her the way life is going to be. Only then will she learn to respect you and you will become a true king" he advised him but it sounded much more like an order. A command.

"She will hate me" Klaus murmured slightly, not sitting well with the idea of hurting her.

"Nonsense!" Mikael said in a higher tone. "She will be your wife. There is a very fine line between love and hate, my boy" he told him. "Your mother was a stubborn one but today she loves me with all her heart because I am her husband and that is her duty. To stand by my side as will be the duty of your wife" he said and gave him a curt nod.

Klaus placed his hand on Caroline's upper arm, causing her to jump. "Stop fidgeting, love. I'll be there with you the whole time" he said soothingly.

She glared him and scowled at him, "Maybe that is the problem" she whispered hatefully.

"How can I acquit myself?" he asked sincerely.

Caroline turned to him fully and gave him a serious look. "You can leave me in peace for the remainder of the night" she said bitterly and then turned to look ahead.

Klaus was stunned by her rude behavior. He was going to be her husband. The least she could do is start showing him some respect. Fine! If she didn't want him near, he wouldn't go anywhere near her.

Soon the sound of flutes and drums filled the air, alerting them to move. Caroline grasped Klaus' arm as he slid his arm around her waist and placed his on her small back and they made their way down the stairs. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, into the middle of the room, everyone applauded and the sound of claps warmed the air. They both smiled politely at everyone and then began the introductions.

Tyler saw the couple from outside the building. They were both trying to keep as much distance from each other as possible. Good. It would be better to execute his plan if she was alone. He didn't want to fail Damon. After all Damon was a good friend to his uncle Mason. He couldn't risk it.

Kol and Rebekah watched both Klaus and Caroline trying to avoid each other. They kept watching from the sidelines. Rebekah was pouting while Kol was deep in thought.

"I don't like this" she commented after a while.

Kol turned to his sister raising an eyebrow. "They are ignoring each other. We need to do something" she said quickly.

Kol smirked and turned to his baby sister. "Let's get them to meet near Magellan. I'm sure Caroline won't be able to resist Nik's horse's charm" he quipped and winked at his baby sister.

"I'll get Caroline outside. You just get Nik after a few moments" she ordered him, rolling her eyes and began walking to her future sister-in-law. Caroline was currently conversing with the countess of somewhere. The blonde smiled at her politely.

"I have to steal my sister-in-law for a moment. Please excuse us" Rebekah said and practically dragged Caroline outside.

"What is the matter Rebekah?" Caroline asked as she tried to wriggle out of the other blonde's tight grip.

On reaching the gardens away from prying eyes, Rebekah stopped walking and released her wrist and turned to glare her. "You said you'd give Nik another chance. Well you've both been ignoring each other all night" she complained angrily.

Caroline sighed. "I said I'd try. Your brother is just…" she mumbled looking for the right words. "He's …. Infuriating!" she yelled at her.

Rebekah rolled her eyes, "And you're stubborn" she countered with a smile. Caroline folded her arms over her chest. "Why don't you just talk to him? Just stay here. He'll join you shortly" Rebekah informed her. Caroline opened her mouth to protest but the other blonde cut her off. "Please" she pleaded with a sweet smile.

"Fine. But I will only listen to what he has to say. Nothing more" she said and pouted.

Rebekah clapped her hands in excitement and bounced off to get her brother. Caroline stood there and walked over to sit on the edge of the fountain. She wrapped her arms around herself and hugged the shawl tighter as the cold air hit her. It was a chilly night. It reminded her of her time with Stefan, Elena and Damon.

She was so consumed in her thoughts, she didn't notice someone come up and stand behind her.

"Good evening your majesty" said the cold voice that made the back of her hair stand up in fear.

Caroline whirled around to see the face that had always scared and disgusted her at the same time. "Tyler" she breathed out. Her voice came out a whisper in the dead silence of the night. It seemed like the world had frozen. What was Tyler doing here? Why would Damon' private assassin be here? Was he here to kill Klaus? Or maybe someone else?

He bowed in front of her and passed her a cold smile. Something about the way he smiled irked her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked carefully.

Tyler raised his eyebrows at her, feigning surprise. "Why of course I am here to take you back to Prince Damon, your majesty" he said with a laugh and then turned serious. "He missed you greatly" he informed her displeased by the fact.

"I know. I miss him too but we can't do anything about that. I am to marry Klaus in a few fortnights." She replied holding her head high.

"No you aren't. It's my job not to let that happen" he warned.

"What did Damon ask you to do?" she asked cautiously hoping Damon hadn't ordered a war.

He opened his mouth to answer but a voice from behind Caroline caused them both to stop. "Who are you?" Henrik asked suddenly coming to stand in front of Caroline protectively. This man talking to Caroline seemed suspicious to him and Nik had told him to get Caroline to Magellan. Once he saw her with this man, something in him, made him come over and protect her.

"Henrik you need to go inside. I'll be right behind you" Caroline said fearfully as she watched Tyler's eyes glint mysteriously.

"Oh so you are the young prince. It's a pleasure to finally be your acquaintance your majesty" Tyler stated sarcastically and bowed dramatically before yielding out his sword. As soon as his sword was out, one of the many guards, caught attention of the movement and yelled the others to get to them.

"I have to cut this meeting short but Damon asked me to deliver a message to Mikaelson and get back what is rightfully his" he said and plunged his sword forward aiming at the youngest Mikaelson but Caroline instantly switched positions with him and threw him to the ground. The sword plunged right into her abdomen, causing her eyes to widen and a scream of agony to escape her lips. The sword tore through her back and Tyler immediately let go of it, realizing his mistake. He backed away from the princess and ran his hand down his face.

"This is not good. I-I..." Tyler mumbled biting his lip and running a hand through his dark hair.

"Aahh!" Caroline cried as she brought her hand to the wound. She felt tears pricking her eyes. She was going to die.

Henrik moved towards Caroline as she fell on the garden floor crying and gasping in pain. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" He yelled at Tyler angrily who ran the opposite direction watching as a small battalion of guards came into view, running towards them with Klaus and Elijah in tow.

"Nik!" Henrik yelled as he held Caroline's hand and told her not to close her eyes and to focus on his voice.

Klaus ran faster than he ever had and the blood in his veins froze when he saw the sight before him. Caroline, white as a sheet, laying on the ground with a sword plunged into her. Her beautiful blue dress now tinted with the red color of her blood.

Klaus slid to the ground and held Caroline's hand. "Caroline" he breathed out. She looked up at him with teary eyes and a raked sob escaped her throat.

"GET THAT MAN! IF HE ESCAPES I WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS!" Klaus barked angrily at a group of guards pointing towards the retreating form of the attacker.

She didn't say anything but the tears kept flowing. Elijah was the sensible one who took charge of the situation.

"Get the healers!" he ordered one of the guards.

But Klaus's eyes were fixed on Caroline. He tightened his hold on her hand and looked into her eyes. "Who did this?" he growled.

"It hurts Klaus!" Caroline almost shrieked out as he pressed his hand to the wound to minimize the bleeding.

"HELP HER NIK!" Henrik screamed at his older brother as tears easily flowed down his cheeks too.

Klaus nodded at his little brother, reassuringly. He then looked at Caroline with the most compassionate look. "Sweetheart I have to take the sword out. I want you to hold onto something very tightly and clutch it once I do" He instructed her softly, one hand petting her hair and wiping the sweat from her forehead while the other held her hand tightly.

"You have to let my hand go love" he spoke softly trying to break his hand free of the hand-crushing grip. Caroline nodded and slowly released his hand but grabbed onto his tunic almost instantly. A part of him was glad that she had chosen to hold onto him instead of anyone else or any other thing but another part of him was worried, if she would even survive this.

He grabbed onto the sword and twisted it only a little causing Caroline to whimper in pain. He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes to avoid seeing Caroline in such pain. Elijah placed a hand on his shoulder and Klaus braced himself for what he had to do.

"We need to take it out Niklaus now. Perhaps it's best if we let the healers perform their duties" the older Mikaelson suggested watching his brother's hesitance and the young girl's critical situation.

Klaus shook his head. "I'll do it" he practically growled back at his brother angrily. No one would be allowed to be near Caroline in such a vulnerable state. He braced himself once again and this time, trying to block out her cries of pain and Henrik's protests, he pulled the sword out of her body.

Caroline screamed as loud as possible, as the pain literally blinded her. She never thought she had felt so much pain in her life. She could swear she saw white light as soon as the sword was pulled out of her. She could see stars during the day after experiencing such agony.

Everything next happened so fast that Klaus barely blinked and Caroline was inside the castle in one of the rooms being treated. The healers and doctors had suggested them to stay outside the room. Only a few ladies, including Rebekah and his mother, were allowed inside with the healers.

Klaus paced restlessly around his chambers. He marched over to the tumbler of wine and started drinking from it directly.

"Brother" Elijah said to alert his brother to his presence.

Klaus turned to him and slammed the tumbler back on the table top and turned to his brother with an angry glare. "What?" he snarled at him.

Elijah, however, seemed unfazed by his brother's insolent attitude because he knew his brother was only acting this way due to Caroline's fragile state. "I have news from the healers. They have dressed her wound but it was rather deep and she lost a lot of blood" he informed him and paused to think of how to phrase it to his brother that there were minimal chances of the girl to survive.

"I'm hoping there's some good news you've come with" Klaus hissed venomously trying to hide the panic he felt at the thought of losing Caroline.

Elijah placed his hands behind his back and took a deep breath before speaking. "The next couple of days will be crucial for her but as of now she is fine"

This was not the answer Klaus wanted. He needed to be sure that Caroline was alright and well. She was supposed to marry him and be with him for the rest of his life. She was supposed to love him and care for him. Even though, their start had been a bit rocky, he was certain she would grow to love him as he had already begun to.

Klaus turned to Elijah and showed him his hands. "Look at my hands brother" he said showing his colored hands which were shaking. "I have had blood on my hands so many times before and it has never mattered. But her blood burns my hands and you mean to tell me that I am supposed to sit here and wait for her to die!" he yelled and threw the bottle of wine on the opposite wall in anger and frustration. "She has to be fine" he mumbled defeated as tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

"Niklaus she is quite alright. But even though, she has miraculously survived this vicious attack, I am not sure if she will make it through the next" he suggested. "We need to figure out who sent that man. He knew our property well enough to slip between our fingers so I assume this was the work of an assassin" he guessed and looked at his brother with narrowed eyes.

"I will find that man and when I do, I will tear him apart with my bare hands and only when he is a writhing mess of flesh and blood will I tear his heart out" Klaus jeered, his jaw and fists both clenched.

"Perhaps you should go talk to Henrik. He is a bit frazzled. Then to Rebekah. I think Caroline told her something but she is not fessing up to me" he said, ignoring his brother's threat because if Niklaus didn't kill the assassin, he would do it himself. He considered Caroline his sister the moment she had stepped foot into his home and he would let no one harm her. He pursed his lips into a thin line and waited for an answer from his brother.

Klaus narrowed his eyes on his brother before striding towards the door with a determined look.

"Where are you going?" Elijah asked as he fixed his clothing.

Klaus didn't turn or stop, "I'm going to see our dear sister" he answered and walked out of the room. He marched straight to his sister's room. He was tempted to stop by to check Caroline's condition but he knew he couldn't bear to see her in such a delicate condition. While he was making his way to Rebekah's room all his thoughts were directed towards the blonde fighting for her life in the other room. He never cared to admit it to himself, even, but he knew that he was falling deeply in love with this girl Caroline Forbes but love was a weakness and it was only Caroline's responsibility to love him. Not his. Was it?

He couldn't be in love with her. No! Love was a weakness. But if he wasn't in love with her, why did the thought of her dying hurt him so much?

He pushed all of those thoughts away and focused on the task in hand. Finding the person who attacked Caroline. He would kill the fool who dared to attack his wife-to-be, in a very slow and painful death.

A/N: Hello my lovelies! Hope you liked this chapter. Too much Klaroline in the next chapter which comes with 185 reviews AT LEAST. Secondly, I'm starting a new Klaroline story soon enough "I still love you". It has lots of drama, action and Klaroline love. Be sure to check it out. BTW my scans came back. SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE LAST ONES. THE TUMORS HAVE SHRUNKEN VISIBLY! CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE IT? Even my doctor was really happy. Pray for my hair though, I'm losing it. Slowly.

Love you all. Take care of yourselves.