Chapter 1

2 years ago

"This isn't cooked right," Mikael's harsh voice stated.

Freydis looked at her husband, confused by his words. She had already taken few bites of the stew herself and she hadn't noticed anything strange.

"Forgive me, shall I bring you another portion…"

"Don't bother," Mikael snorted. "I suppose I expected too much when I wanted a wife who can cook."

A flush was rising in Freydis' cheeks as she bowed her head.

"Forgive me," she murmured.

Mikael didn't reply, he simply continued eating. They had been wedded three days ago and Freydis had certainly learned that he was a very harsh man. Not that she had expected anything else, she should be grateful that someone had agreed to wed her. She had been very sick when she had been a child and that illness had very likely made her barren.

Not many men wanted a wife who couldn't give them children. That hadn't been a problem to Mikael, he already had six children. Most of those children were older than Freydis and she had known them her whole life. Not that she would have spent much time with them or known them well, but of course everyone knew each other in the village.

There was Finn, the oldest son who didn't speak much. Elijah, the second oldest son who had been polite to her. Niklaus, also quiet. Kol who was almost the same age than Freydis. Rebekah, the only daughter. If Freydis wasn't mistaken, she wasn't happy about her father's marriage. And Henrik, the youngest child. He was a sweet boy, Freydis had immediately liked him.

"I think this is good," Elijah stated.

"That's because you have no standards," Mikael replied coldly. "It's clear that you would settle for anything."

Elijah's eyebrows furrowed.

"If this is about Tatia…"

"What about her?" Mikael cut in. "If you would have any self-respect, you would find yourself a good honorable wife, but obviously you don't, so what can I say? Enjoy yourself while you can."

Elijah pressed his lips together, but he didn't say anything. They all ate in silence until Mikael stood up and marched out without saying a word.

"Thank you," Elijah said while standing up. "The stew was delicious."

"You're welcome," Freydis replied, trying her best to give her stepson a grateful smile.

Finn and Niklaus also thanked her before leaving the table. Kol gave her a charming smile.

"Thank you, mother."

"You're welcome."

It felt strange to be called that, especially by someone who was as old as her. Rebekah didn't say anything, she headed to the door when Elijah stopped her.

"You should help her clearing the table," Elijah said quietly, but Freydis could still hear him.

"No," she replied simply and walked out.

"Can I help you?" Henrik asked.

Freydis looked at the boy and smiled at him.

"You don't have to do that but thank you for asking."

She had gotten used to hard work in her father's house, and she knew better than to complain. This was her home now and her husband's family was her family. It was her duty to take care of them. Would she have chosen this, no, but here she was. When her father had told her that he had found her a husband, she had been shocked.

She had been prepared to stay in her father's house for the rest of her life. Finding out who her husband would be had shocked her even more. Mikael had always been a harsh man and she remembered fearing him when she had been a child. Not to mention he was so much older than her. Their wedding night had scared her more than anything in her life.

He certainly hadn't been kind or gentle, but he hadn't been unnecessarily rough or violent either. Just cold and careless, like he would have been performing some unpleasant task. After he had been finished, he had simply turned his back on her and went to sleep. She had been in pain and she had been grateful that he hadn't touched her after that.

She liked to think that he wanted to give her time to recover, but that likely wasn't the reason why he hadn't bedded her again. He missed his first wife. That wasn't the best way to start a new marriage. His children probably missed her too and Freydis had feared that they would see her as an intruder. Rebekah clearly did. Hopefully things would eventually get better.

She finished her chores and washed herself before retiring to the small room she shared with her husband. The day had been very long, and she was exhausted. Everyone else had gone to sleep already, but there was no sign of Mikael. She waited for a while before laying down. Her eyelids weighted a ton, and it didn't take long before she was asleep. Suddenly she startled out of a deep sleep when someone grabbed her breast. Her first reaction was panic, but then she heard Mikael's voice.

"Esther…"

She was laying on her side and he was behind her back, groping her and sniffing her long blond hair. He smelled like ale.

"My sweet Esther…"

She didn't move or make a sound, hoping that he was drunk enough to pass out soon.

"I've missed you, my love," he murmured, his hand groping her breasts. He was hurting her, but she better than to say anything. Thankfully he did pass out soon, his arms wrapped tightly around her, and his face buried in her hair. She tried her best to make herself comfortable, although she couldn't move much.

"Esther…" he murmured in his sleep.

A tear rolled down on Freydis' cheek, she couldn't stop it. Why had he wedded her? Clearly, he didn't want her. Would he ever care about her? She wanted to hope that he would. Maybe after enough time would pass. That was all she could hope for.