Breakfast went by as any normal family would, excluding the fact that it consisted of blood from bags, discreetly poured into mugs. Liz was quiet, never giving away emotion and this put Niklaus on edge more than he thought any human could.
Niklaus quietly watched as mother and daughter said their goodbyes, as if not going to see each other for a long time. He wondered if that would be true. With a quick but respectful nod, he said his farewell to Liz and headed to the car first, loading whatever little luggage they had. He chuckled, remembering the confusion he felt at Caroline carrying so little. She never was the woman to leave herself with such little option.
As always, he felt glad leaving Mystic Falls behind. But this time was much better. This time he didn't lose anything or anyone. This time he gained so much more than even he thought he deserved.
Caroline beamed at the sight of home. The mansion still doing wonders for her. She rushed out of the car and straight to her room plopping down on the bed, knowing Klaus would be bringing her things shortly.
"Looks like someone was homesick," Klaus chuckled.
Caroline pouted, "I missed my old bed, but it doesn't mean I don't like this one better."
"You know I had that imported from Europe. Had it customized to make sure it was as comfortable and as durable as you can expect most from a bed", Niklaus commented.
Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Durable you say?"
Niklaus chuckled and pecked her on the cheek before making his way outside. Caroline simply went back to lying down and let out a contented sigh.
"Too bad, I was enjoying the peace and quiet here," an irritating voice wafted through Caroline's ears.
Looking to the door, Hayley was there in a black dress showing off her baby bump. Caroline felt a pang of jealousy realizing she can never carry life in her. Reeling in her insecurities, she kept her composure and gave the she-wolf a smirk.
"And here I was thinking you had learned your place," Caroline gave her a dazzling smile before walking past the insufferable woman.
Caroline went down, only to find Klaus sipping bourbon. She wondered what went wrong now, but she was sure it wasn't her.
"What's up?" She asked nonchalantly, coming up behind Niklaus.
"Just the usual stuff love. I do have a throne to protect," his tone was steady, cold.
"You know, it's been a few weeks since Sephtis showed up, and Maia hasn't exactly made contact with us, mind telling me what we should be up to? She inquired, hoping to join in on the fun.
"No love, they are my enemies. They are mine to face. It's none of your business." Niklaus' words sent a subtle chill along her spine.
Last I checked, I was the one kidnapped and used to threaten you. That puts me smack dab in the middle of all this.
"She's right you know," a familiar voice interrupted.
Niklaus was instantly on the defensive and Caroline was just stumped. Standing in front of them was Maiashrani in a sunny dress, her brown curls adorning her face in an enchanting way.
Niklaus was ready to pounce on her but Caroline stopped him.
"What are you doing here Maia?" She was skeptical about the woman but had the benefit of the doubt.
The small woman smiled sheepishly. "My dad found out about me."
"And that's related to you being here⦠how?" Caroline inquired.
"Let's say he is more of a pro-Sephtis kind of person," the seemingly young woman answered, heading straight for the bar.
"You know I still don't understand what you'd get from helping us," Caroline said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"My reasons are my reasons, but I assure you that it does no harm to either of you. Or any of the other Mikaelsons," Maia pointed out to Niklaus who was stiff as a board trying to assess the situation.
At those words he seemingly relaxed but was still tensed with the stranger's presence. "Why come here?" He asked.
"Last place my father would go to try and find me," it was as if the answer was so obvious by the way Maia said it.
Niklaus didn't know how to react while Caroline tried to process it all. It felt like something was hovering over them but they didn't know what.
Niklaus was the first to recover. "I assume you expect food and a bed?"
Maiashrani smiled cheekily, "Naturally."
Niklaus looked at Caroline to check if she was comfortable with the idea. Caroline contemplated but sighed remembering how the woman had saved her that night and sneaked her off to safety. She nodded at Klaus and he had taken the initiative to show Maia a spare room.
Caroline followed soon after and was climbing up the stairs when she saw Hayley at the top of it. She groaned out of frustration and planned to simply ignore her but the she-wolf got in her way.
"So you brought in another stray like you?" Hayley raised an eyebrow at her.
Being called a bitch was one thing, but being called a stray was another. Her vampiric features went out but she immediately held it back then gave Hayley a sadistic smile.
"Believe me when I say you're gonna regret that. Slut," she shoved Hayley out of her way but not completely forgetting about the baby and restrained most of her strength.
"You have no right to call me a slut you whore!" Hayley countered. "I am more a part of this family than you are. I am the mother of Niklaus' child! You're nothing but a barren sack of dead meat"
Caroline stopped in her tracks and looked at Hayley with a cold face. This time she said nothing, she only smiled. Her fangs showing.
Niklaus stood by the fireplace while Elijah lounged on one of the Victorian couches.
"And how do you plan to keep her away from all of this brother? From what I know, you have another problem added onto your plate," Elijah didn't ponder on his words since there would be no other term for it.
"I'll lock her up if I have to," Niklaus answered surely.
"I doubt she'll stay locked up for long," Elijah reasoned.
"I only need her locked up long enough without her knowing it so I can do this," Niklaus said, swirling the glass of bourbon in his hands.
"Why do I feel like this idea of yours will lead us into more trouble than we bargained for?" The older Mikaelson more of stated this and left Niklaus to think.
