The dreaded evening came. Caroline fidgeted as she inspected herself in front of the mirror. The golden gown made her look like a queen. She gave an almost inaudible laugh, remembering when Niklaus had lent her a dress that had supposedly come from a princess. She wondered if what she was wearing this time actually came from a queen.
Rebekah's knocks on the door snapped Caroline out of her reverie. She turned to face Rebekah and tried to smile but failed, her lips eventually tugged down to show her melancholic face.
"Hmmphh, you should know better than to try and fool me," Rebekah huffed.
"Let's just get to the ball," Caroline dismissed her and walked past. She was draining all her energy just to keep herself from crying.
Rebekah stopped Caroline before she was able to leave the room. "You have to get your act together Caroline, or this could endanger us all."
Caroline only nodded. Of course, Rebekah made a point. She just didn't know how to get through the night without looking every bit as miserable as she felt.
Klaus was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, a glass of scotch on one hand, the other in his pocket. And although he hid it well, his amazement for Caroline was beyond words. He was still clueless as to how the young blonde managed to take his breath away, a common human reaction he decided he wouldn't mind to feel. But he didn't want to let it show. Swiftly he regained composure, reigning in the coldness in his eyes just as Caroline landed hers on him. It tugged at his heart when he saw her frown and turned icy cold as well. Ironic, he thought. They fit perfectly as a couple no matter the circumstance, but he wasn't like others to assume that they were simply meant to be. There was no such thing for a creature like him.
"You know Nik if I didn't know better myself that you prefer the burning hell, I'd say the two of you look very much like the Ice King and the Ice Queen. I hope for everyone's sake at the ball that they've got a good fire burning, lest they turn to ice in your presence," Rebekah gave them a mocking smile and strutted out the door.
Caroline landed on the last step and made her way towards Niklaus, trying to keep her face straight. She was itching to pull a reaction out of him, but she didn't want to give way either.
"Are we doing this or what?" her voice was cold, almost ruthless.
With an almost blank expression Klaus offered his arm and proceeded to the car when Caroline took it. For the better part, Klaus still had the common sense to be a gentleman and opened the car door for Caroline. Although when he finally entered the backseat beside her, he wasn't able to contain his growl. There was Caroline, almost glued to the door, sitting as far away from him as possible. Caroline ignored him and just stared at the window as the vehicle started to move.
Niklaus was deceptively calm, determined to keep his anger boiling inside. The frustratingly distractive blond beauty was like a statue, determined to stay away from him, still sitting by the window without even bothering to take a single look at him.
"Caroline-," Niklaus was abruptly stopped by Caroline's question.
"Where is this ball anyway?" her voice lacking emotion, even the curiosity felt fake.
"The city of Lafayette," Niklaus had patience, dwindling patience. He decided to let Caroline be, grumbling as he tried to settle comfortably in his seat.
"How long until we get there?" Caroline continued to ask without looking at him.
"About two hours," Niklaus irritation laced his voice.
Thirty minutes into the ride and they still weren't saying anything to each other. Caroline thought she would be able to hold her end, but it was her who gave in.
"So how are we gonna do this?" she finally looked at him. But it only pissed her off, as Klaus looked at her with a bored face.
Much to her dismay he gave her a nonchalant shrug followed by an answer which did not please her. "We could simply be like this love. After all, it's not like we are what you would call a couple."
Caroline huffed, turning to look outside the window again. Somewhere along the way they had gotten on each other's nerves again. A love and hate relationship, it would be what others would call it. She looked at the hybrid from the corner of her eyes. No. She wouldn't say that she hated him now, not anymore. Irritated, annoyed, maybe. But there was no hatred. Yes, she was hurt. But she was hurting for him, for them. If there was anything she treasured most it was her freedom, being in control of herself, knowing what was happening. She sighed, closing her eyes she reclined to relax herself and tried to chase thoughts of last night out of her mind.
Niklaus instinctively turned his head towards Caroline when he heard her sigh. He silently watched as she laid against the back of the seat, appreciating her radiance. She was ravishing as always, the golden dress brought out the beauty of her hair that was in an elegant bun. The few strands that adorned the side of her face fell in soft waves. His hands itched to touch it, instead he turned it into fists.
Deciding to take the time to rest, he imitated Caroline and laid his head back, his eyes squeezing shut. His mind going back to last night, a smile gracing his lips as he remembered how Caroline had snuggled into him after. The sweet vanilla scent that was her permeated his senses, it made him want to hold her tight that instant. And as always, his dominant steely nature refused to take the first step.
"So we're gonna be like this until we get there?" Caroline's sudden question earned a frown from Klaus.
"All the better love. At least I won't have the multitudes conspiring against me, thinking they'd get to me through you," Niklaus had opened his eyes but he was still passive.
Caroline shot him a glare, which he missed entirely since his eyes were closed once again as he reclined on his seat. She felt like hurling any object she could get her hands on but thought the better of it. Instead she thought of a snarky comment,"I hope not. After all, what would a woman like me be doing with the likes of you. I'm sure they would at least consider that."
The hybrid's frustration was all pent up inside, all he managed to do was let a smirk slip from his lips. "I'm sure they would Caroline. After all, we're no match for each other, are we?"
Their game of words and deception continued for the rest of the trip. Snide comments and remarks thrown at each other, huffs and smirks ignited their anger, and soon after hurtful memories and bad decisions all came crawling back to them. Catching up to the couple, they were once again back to square one.
Soon, after about 2 hours of driving they arrived to an estate. Caroline glared at the tall trees behind the fences, blocking any possible view of what was inside. She saw the frown on Niklaus' face, probably summing up the real power and influence of their mystery nemesis. As they entered the widely opened, but heavily guarded gate, Caroline's eyes widened at the view before her. The mansion was breathtaking, the fountain in front of the entrance majestic, its radiance overflowed as soft golden lights emanated from each window. Caroline took in the large square garden that surrounded the fountain she adored so much. There were a variety of flowers, the rose being prominent than most. They were of a blood red color, making them more magnificent in Caroline's eyes.
Unknown to Caroline, Niklaus had been watching her. He was smiling inwardly. If only she'd let him show her the world, he would have the privilege of seeing her like that, eyes shining in absolute wonder. He was with no doubt sure that she didn't even know she was already smiling slightly, his imagination slightly wandering to what she would look like if she actually saw Paris, or roam the countrysides of Ireland, maybe he can even rebuild an old castle for her.
As soon as the car stopped somewhere along the driveway, Niklaus immediately flashed outside to open the car door for Caroline. The action baffled her but not enough to lose her calm demeanor. Klaus offered his arm but she ignored it and went straight for the entrance, smiling at random strangers that took their time to admire her.
Niklaus almost trembled with anger. His hands fisted at his sides, his own fingers almost digging into his flesh. She had dared insult him in front of other people. Putting on a cold mask, he proceeded inside determined to have his way by the end of the night.
His eyes searched for the blonde beauty the moment he walked in. Spotting Caroling just a bit further down the hallway, he took large strides and this time forcefully grabbed Caroline's hand and wrapped it around his arms.
"What are you doing Klaus?" Caroline muttered without losing her smile.
Niklaus only gave her a smug face and proceeded into the ballroom. Caroline had discreetly tried to pry her arm off him, but Klaus had another hand atop hers that had a firmer grip. Realizing there was no escape for the moment, she went along with whatever act he was trying to put up.
After Niklaus felt that Caroline was no longer objecting to their contact, he started to survey the crowd whilst keeping his hold on Caroline. No one can be bloody secure with the unpredictable woman, though he had to admit it was always one of the things he admired.
Soft classical music continued to play in the background, several couples were dancing in the center whilst around them others mingled. Deciding to kill time he brought Caroline along with him to the center as he led the waltz. Dancing together brought back memories that made him chuckle, only to be disappointed when he saw Caroline avoiding any eye contact with him.
"Look at me Caroline," he growled subtly, bringing her closer against him.
When Caroline looked up at him, she had those defiant eyes, challenging and torturing him at the same time. It made him smile, and instead of being irritated he dropped a chaste kiss on her lips, turning her eyes into wide blue-green orbs of wonder. He had never publicly displayed his affection, and he didn't know why he had the urge to do it now out of all the days that they had.
"I don't want to dance anymore," Caroline had abruptly stopped their rhythm. Niklaus only nodded and took hold of her hand, wrapping it around his arm again. He was determined not to let her out of his sight, lest anything should happen. The woman beside him only sighed, making his heart grow heavy with unnoticed sadness.
As they gracefully exit the limelight, an unnoticed character suddenly appeared in front of them. On instinct, Klaus lightly moved Caroline just a bit behind him, intertwining his hand in hers. The man had a haunting presence, and although Niklaus almost knew no fear he wanted to stay careful. One look at the shady character and he knew whatever creature it was, he wasn't just someone to be meddled with.
Caroline's features were a mix of curiosity and anxiety as she studied the long haired man eyed the two of them as if they were a meal. She knew to tread carefully, especially with Klaus tensed up in front of her. Sure she had seen Klaus tensed, but never like this. He looked like he was almost ready to pounce if their fingers hadn't intertwined, with Caroline slightly squeezing his hand, silently telling him to relax.
The stranger laughed, but it sounded hollow. "It seems you were expecting me. What a way to spoil the party," the man continued while sipping on a glass of wine.
Niklaus remained passive and only regarded the man with a cold look. 'You would be the 'elusive' master, I presume?"
"Indeed I am, but that's not all. You see my young hybrid, we have one similarity. We both always have something up our sleeves," the so called 'Master' smirked at Klaus. "And by the way, you can call me Seph, short for Sephtis."
Caroline breathed out a sigh of relief as Sephtis walked away. Turning to Klaus, she saw the distress on his face, her worry evident on her features. "Klaus, what's wrong?"
Niklaus' hard demeanor softened the moment he laid eyes on Caroline. "Nothing love. Would you like some champagne?"
Caroline only continued staring at him, as if waiting for something that would shed some light on what he was thinking about. She knew who it was about, but she also knew there was something more on his mind regarding Sephtis. She wondered what it was exactly about the man that made Klaus act as weary as he was when Mikael was still alive. She too had felt the gloomy presence of the man, he sounded and even looked hollow. Studying Klaus one last time, she stepped closer to him with their hands still entwined. "Let's take a walk and get some air."
Niklaus nodded, internally grateful that Caroline and him shared a certain bond already, and that she knew just what to do. Remembering the bond, he started to feel frustrated because of the position they were in right now, emotions in turmoil. His life would never be uneventful, was what he realized. And in most times, he would probably find different ways to upset Caroline. Be it intentional or not.
Before exiting the ballroom and making their way towards the gardens, Klaus stole a quick glance around him for even a glimpse of Sephtis. It meant eternal death, and he never was a fan of such names unless it was him they were referring to. Not being able to see the said person, he followed Caroline outside, even more adamant on not letting Caroline away from his sight or reach.
