Chapter 25

England, 1492

"I saw how you looked at that harlot!" Aurora screamed. "Do not lie to me!"

"Enough, woman!" Niklaus shouted back. "You are driving me mad!"

"I will kill her! I swear I will!"

"You just try and I'll chain you up for the next century!"

"I hate you! Do you hear me, I hate you!"

"I don't care as long as you keep your mouth shut! Put that down! Don't you dare..."

Elijah sighed as he heard the sound of a shattering glass. It seemed that Niklaus and Aurora wouldn't be done any time soon. Aurora had always been extremely jealous, but this was more than jealousy. She absolutely hated Katerina, even though she knew why Niklaus had invited her to stay here. Elijah had to admit that meeting Katerina hadn't been easy for him either. She looked just like Tatia. So sweet and innocent.

He had wondered did Niklaus also see Tatia in her or just a way to break his curse. How would things change after that? Would Niklaus and Aurora still stay together? Elijah hoped that they wouldn't. Their relationship had become more and more toxic over the centuries. They both had a temper and they knew how to hurt each other. It seemed that they were both unhappy, but still unable to let go.

That was what Elijah thought, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe they enjoyed the constant battles. They were both equally cruel and sometimes sadistic. Elijah had thought about leaving many times, but Niklaus was still his brother. They were still a family. Besides, Aurora wasn't there all the time, sometimes after she and Niklaus had a big fight, she was away for months.

Still Elijah had often hoped that Niklaus would have chosen a more stable companion. Someone who would have soothed him instead of bringing out the worst in him. Fay... It had been a long time since Elijah had thought about her, but for some reason he was thinking about her now. He wondered how things would have changed if she would have stayed with him.

He had been young and foolish back then, but he had sincerely been ready to spend the rest of his life with her. After she had rejected him, he had been hurt for a long time, but he understood her decision now. She had wanted to build a life of her own. He truly hoped that she had succeeded. She deserved to be happy. Elijah headed to the garden and noticed Rebekah sitting on the bench.

"Sister," he greeted her.

"Are they still fighting?" Rebekah huffed.

"I am afraid so," Elijah replied smiling. "You know how stubborn they both are."

"Yes, sometimes I feel that we have two Niks."

Elijah couldn't help but to chuckle at that.

"That is a scary thought."

"Tell me about it," Rebekah sighed and paused for a moment. "Do you think that they really love each other?"

The question surprised Elijah.

"I suppose so. They have been together for a long time."

"Yes, but..."

"What?"

"I don't know," Rebekah sighed. "I just thought... That is not the kind of love I would want."

"I know what you mean. Actually, I was just thinking about Fay."

Elijah didn't notice Rebekah tensing.

"What about her?"

"I was thinking would things be different if she would have stayed with me. I know it is a foolish thought, I just hope that she found her happiness."

"She played with your feelings," Rebekah snapped. "Yours and Kol's."

Elijah raised an eyebrow.

"What happened wasn't nearly that simple. I still believe that Kol only wanted to prove his point. He never meant to wed her."

"You don't know that," Rebekah argued. "I heard how she acted with him."

"What? You heard from who?"

"It does not matter," Rebekah replied quickly. "That was too long ago to matter."

"Rebekah..."

"My lord, my lady," Katerina's voice suddenly said.

Elijah got up; he hadn't noticed her coming.

"Katerina. How are you?"

"I am well, my lord," she replied, smiling at him shyly.

"Excuse me," Rebekah murmured and headed back to the castle.

"And you, my lord?" Katerina asked after Rebekah had left. "How are you?"

"I am fine, thank you."

She had the most beautiful smile. Just like Tatia.

"So, what brings you here?" Elijah asked.

"I... I wanted to take a walk," she replied. "Klaus promised to spend the day with me, but I have not seen him today."

"Oh... Well, I am sure you will see him soon."

"I hope so." She paused and hesitated for a moment before continuing. "My lord, may I ask you something?"

"Yes, of course."

"Do you know why your brother courts me? He does not seem to care about me at all."

Elijah pressed his lips together; he wasn't sure what to say.

"He is a complicated man, but I am sure he wouldn't court you if he wouldn't care about you."

She was quiet for a moment before replying.

"But he does not love me. Is it wrong of me to expect love?"

"I am afraid I do not have an answer to that. I do not believe in love."

Her eyes widened.

"You have never loved anyone?"

"No," Elijah replied simply.

That wasn't true, but he didn't want to open those wounds any more. He had loved and he had lost. End of story.