It's been years, but a few people still keep discovering this story. I've regained my pizzaz after years of writer's block. Believe me. It's my first and therefore the worst. I'm back from my years long slump and determined to finish Last Love this year of 2020.

I'll be editing all the previous chapters to make sure everything is correct and because I want to change some things. There won't be a big difference, but you'll want to read it from Chapter 1 again once I'm done revising. Hopefully the revision will be finished before I post Chapter 24, so heads up!

The ball was in full swing, like a picturesque scene in the medieval days. Caroline and Klaus finished their dance but never stopped smiling at each other.

"My oh my, who'd have thought you had the capability Niklaus! I believe we haven't met darling, what's your name?" A light-haired man with a mischievous smile inquired as he approached them.

Caroline looked to Klaus for guidance, but instead saw him exchanging a friendly grin with the man. She took it positively and faced the stranger with a smile, extending her hand. "It's Caroline. Caroline Forbes."

"Niklaus!" the man admonished. "I didn't know you were involved with a woman of such great lineage! Albeit warriors that almost diminished us in early times, but great nonetheless." The stranger tilted Caroline's hand to give it a gentlemanly kiss before smiling again at her. "I'm Frederick."

Klaus chuckled, "The stubborn streak does run in her blood. I've never looked forward to being hunted, but it's such a shame there are almost no other conquests as worthy as a Forbes nowadays."

"Klaus, in case you're forgetting, I'm right here. Said 'conquest' is present," Caroline scoffed.

Klaus only chuckled as he admitted that he would never be able to ignore her presence. He kissed her forehead and gave her a gentle squeeze on the waist to assure her. It seemed to have worked, with Caroline giving him a sweet smile and resting her head on his shoulder to look back at the stranger named Frederick.

"It's quite a view to see you like this Niklaus," Frederick's face suddenly turned serious, no hint of the smile from before. "I know why you hosted this ball. Do you think it's wise to be flaunting her around at a time like this?"

She felt Klaus' arm tighten around her as she tried to perceive whether he was given a warning or a threat. Caroline looked at him and saw no hostility directed towards the other man. Instead they were looking intently into each other's eyes like it was enough communication, ending with a grunt from Klaus as expression of his displease.

"Only a fool would dare cross me, and fools don't live long."

"You've changed my friend, but not that much." Frederick grinned and finished the contents of his glass. "I daresay it just might be what you need to finally become a king, and maybe even more."

"I've always been on top, my dear Frederick. You should know that well", Klaus countered with a devilish smirk.

Caroline watched the man smile worriedly, mirroring her own thoughts. Klaus had a problem letting his arrogance get the better of him. Pointing it out would look like you're challenging him thus incurring the hybrid's wrath. She realized the man knew him well after making no remarks regarding Klaus' statement.

Wanting to avoid trouble so early into the night, Caroline decided to change the topic. "So Frederick, when and where did you and Klaus meet?"

The man smiled eagerly at her question and recounted the days when the Mikaelsons were as rich as royalty and had castles of their own.

Caroline was enjoying the ball so far, her being the only woman that stood out with the gown that Klaus had made especially for her. Eyes were on them everywhere they went. After all, it was a rare sight to see Klaus Mikaelson only having eyes for one woman. Doting on Caroline publicly was an altogether different matter of gossip and worry. It was a silent but public announcement that a certain Caroline Forbes was not to be trifled with, unless you wanted the Original's anger to rain down upon your whole existence.

The guests were aware of the current bloodshed existing outside the Mikaelson property, but no one dared to question it. There was after all a warning on the invitation sent.

I expect only your loyalty.

We hope you can celebrate with us as we return to my old Kingdom of New Orleans.

xx Niklaus Mikaelson & Caroline Forbes xx

Upon seeing the hybrids on standby near the edges of the property, everyone was on full alert. No one expected the barrier. The moment everyone realized what was happening, loyalists confidently went through and the remaining that were stopped and those who started running away were quickly killed and burnt on a pile that was quickly growing.

It was this scene that Hayley came upon when she insisted on coming out of the place they'd put her in after the earlier predicament. Klaus only placed one guard for her, which she took as an insult. What she was seeing now greatly changes everything. She was supposed to be the key to the damned hybrid's invincibility. She was the one that was supposed to rise in power. But NO! She had been mindlessly cast aside.

Hayley had no idea what was happening between Klaus and the blonde baby vampire. Whatever it was, it could never be good for her. Before being spotted, she ran away as fast as she could hoping no one knew what she was up to.

Caroline was surprised at the number of people, well more of witches and vampires, that were actually loyal. Others were obviously loyal out of fear and some respected his origin and reputation. Whatever their reasons may be, it was an obvious political stance to support one of the possibly most powerful creatures that they knew. Seeking out to support one that almost no one has ever heard of was too large a risk for most that sought after their own eternal existence.

A hybrid had discreetly approached them earlier, sharing the news that a majority of Marcel's lackeys had attempted to infiltrate the party but had been taken care of. Caroline had no doubt it was the cause of the faint burning she would smell every now and then. She gave Klaus a knowing look, her eyes trailing his henchman.

"I suppose you've figured out everything by now sweetheart," he grinned at her.

"I appreciate that you've kept the smell away from the house, but why not entirely?" she was exasperated. The ball was almost perfect.

"It never hurts to remind people who you are."

"And the show outside wasn't enough?" She scoffed.

"My dear Caroline, nothing is ever enough when it comes to power."

The ball ended a few hours after midnight. A lot of favors were exchanged to secure alliances, Caroline had been the bridge between the much more timid crowd and Klaus, seeing as she was the more approachable of the two. There was a lot that had to be discussed between the two of them. At some point in her life she had prepared for this, back when she was with Tyler. What girl wouldn't dream of someday being the Mayor's wife? She chuckled inwardly. Small town girl, small town dreams. That dream couldn't even compare to what was happening now. Rubbing elbows with the world's oldest, finest, and powerful inhabitants was something she never would have done with anyone else but the Original Hybrid.

"Find something amusing?" Klaus was suddenly at her side, offering his arm.

She only hummed with a smile as she took it and pecked him on the cheek as they headed for the door to bid their guests goodbye.