Author's note: This was written for Klarosummer Bingo and is the sequel to Chapter 148 in this series. King Niklaus is quite bold with his intentions toward Lady Caroline. However, not everyone agrees with his latest decision...
Also, TigerArrowgirl, Chapter 124: All Bets are Off-Putting has been turned into a multi-chap called A Good Bet. Thanks so much for reading!
Warning: Some Klaroline sexytimes. And a bit of violence and angst.
Prompt: "One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly, one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy." ― Aristotle
Must she always make such a spectacle? A curtsey was quite wobbly when barefoot upon the roughly-hewn landing, and Caroline clumsily grabbed the newel post to keep from falling. From the chuckles hastily covered by coughs in the foyer below, it was obvious that the king and his retinue noticed her artless attempt at a proper greeting. "Your Majesty," she mumbled, cheeks pinked in the afternoon light. She caught his openly wanton gaze, reminding her that such royal titles had become part of their lusty games.
She spied his brother Finn, the high-handed Lord Chancellor, stone-faced despite Klaus' obviously jovial mood. Klaus often grumbled at his brother's fussy ways, but begrudgingly admitted that Finn presided admirably over the Privy Council, ensuring the various aspects of the kingdom ran smoothly. After a pointed look from Klaus, Finn heaved a great sigh and directed the rest of the guards to various points outside of the manor.
With a theatrical flourish, Finn announced, "We'll leave you to your...amusements. Have a pleasant afternoon, your Majesty."
"I dare say our amusements will be quite pleasant," Klaus smirked, not giving his brother a backward glance as he raced up the stairs to twirl Caroline in his arms.
He pulled her close, breathing in her curls as he sighed happily, "My love, it's been far too long."
"Barely two mornings have passed since our last meeting," she laughed, nuzzling against the collar of his crimson brocade doublet. The scent of his sweat was quite thrilling; he must have ridden his horse to quite the lather in his rush to the manor.
"Two mornings too long," he grumbled, swiftly carrying her to her quarters in the east wing. "I trust your Enzo is enjoying his travels," he murmured, fingers eagerly unlacing her bodice.
She gasped as he cupped her breast, reveling in the warmth of his touch. The possessive gleam in his eyes made her feel wanted. Loved. This was how a woman should feel. "You wish to discuss my husband now," she asked in amusement. "I'm certain he's finding the rosy-cheeked duke quite…pliable during their travels to his family's holdings off the continent."
Straddling her king, she purred, "Come now, my love, you've taught me that a tongue can be put to much better use." At his excited grunt, she quickly unfastened his silken breeches, her practiced hand gripping his cock. Slow, fast, slow, fast, she worked her hand along the shaft, shallow pants escaping his lips.
It had been a revelation to learn of these wondrous things with Klaus, and he often confessed of his immense pleasure in teaching her such amorous ways. Her pleasure mattered; it was treated as sacred by her lover. He was so blessedly patient, understanding her need for gentle hands and soft tones. Ruthless King Niklaus was a comfort.
Klaus placed burning kisses to Caroline's breasts, pushing the velvet of her skirts to her thighs. "Take me into that soft cleft; I need to feel you," he rasped, lightly stroking her center.
Caroline reddened at her king's command, his roughened tone making her shiver in delight. She brought his moistened tip to her center, delivering an impish tweak that made him groan in pleasure. He captured her lips with his, a messy, decadent kiss of teeth and tongue that made her howl like a wanton beast. With a possessive growl, he surged inside, and she reveled in his strength. Their coupling always was quite exciting, but the fervor with which he rode them today left her a shuddering mess.
With a final push, Klaus sent them tumbling over that lovely precipice, clinging to each other as they fell back against the embroidered linens. His gray eyes were filled with longing as he gently brushed back her curls that had escaped the gold ribbons. He sighed, "Aristotle was right — 'One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly, one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.'"
She frowned, not understanding his melancholy. "My king, have I displeased you?"
He quickly pulled her close, chasing away her doubts with a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Banish such thoughts, sweetheart. I've merely been searching for a way to resolve my great matter."
His great matter. Because Klaus had grown to love her, but she was married to another. And while she and her dear Enzo shared naught but loyal friendship between them, a king was held to loftier standards in their realm. Feeling her heart clench, Caroline asked, "You wish to end our liaison?"
"Never, sweetheart," he replied vehemently. "In fact, I've decided to move you to my court, where we may while away our days as we choose. Time no longer will be our enemy."
The excitement etched on his handsome face filled Caroline with joy, but she couldn't help but give voice to her lingering doubts. "I'm honored to be your faithful companion at court, but I worry that the courtiers' cruel gossip would mar our happiness."
Klaus leaned over her, gaze penetrating as he swore, "Any who dare to split their tongue upon foul words at your expense will find their good fortune has turned bleak." Lightly kissing the tip of her nose, he teased, "And then I'll have their heads placed on pikes."
"You certainly know how to court a lady."
With a teasing smirk, he declared, "If that's what it takes to embed myself in your heart, I will ensure your enemies' heads are positioned on pikes where you may gaze at them each day."
While the king's news had been joyous, it couldn't mask the various tasks Caroline must perform to ensure Enzo's manor was managed properly now that neither would claim it as a frequent residence. When the clamorous banging on the front entrance echoed throughout the first floor, she'd just finished directing the staff to finish packing away the fine silver candlesticks and other wares that Enzo would mourn if the servants became too greedy. She'd already sent Miss Gilbert off to market, certain that if the whey-faced housemaid continued her nervous pacing, Caroline would tear her hair out.
With a disgruntled sigh, she motioned for the footman to answer the door. When Caroline spied the Lord Chancellor flanked by a retinue of the king's guards, her heart was gladdened and she quickly searched for Klaus' knowing smirk. He'd come to surprise her, probably with a grand trinket to show his affection. How he spoiled her!
However, when she saw the dark shift of Finn's expression, her pulse quickened — something was amiss. When Cardinal Saltzman stepped into view, Caroline's heart was gripped in fear. He'd been a powerful fixture in King Niklaus' court for years, acting as religious authority and advisor. It was said that not only did he have the king's ear, but also rumors persisted that many had been dragged from their homes and thrown in the Tower at his command.
Swallowing her terror, Caroline straightened her spine as she regarded the men solemnly. "Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Saltzman, what business brings you to my doorstep?"
Finn was stone-faced once more, watching the proceedings with a hint of boredom that she found most insulting.
"Countess St. John, His Majesty's favorite mare," Cardinal Saltzman cruelly spat, signaling the guards to approach.
She reared back as though he'd struck her. That he'd forgone any semblance of formality was alarming, but when coupled with the aggressive stance of the guards, Caroline began to tremble. "You hurl insults and seek to threaten me in my home — what is the meaning of this?"
The Lord Chancellor unfurled a parchment, his droning voice unable to mask a hint of glee as he read, "Countess St. John, you hereby are charged to have knowingly and malevolently poisoned Lord Salvatore. By decree of His Majesty's court, you are to be taken to the Tower to await sentencing."
"No," she gasped, struggling against the rough handling of the king's guards as they pulled her from the stairs. "The king will hear of this," Caroline swore, dragging her feet until her embroidered slippers clattered to the floor. As the guards shoved her into the harsh glare of the sun, her last conscious thought was that she could still feel the ring that once bore the blessed poison.
The cramped cell was windowless, but at least her captors had provided a few candles. All the better to see the rats that scurried about. Everyone had heard of the horrors that awaited prisoners in the Tower, but to see it for herself...at first, it was the sights that shook her, the flesh abused before limbs were torn from bodies. Then, the cacophonous sounds of poor souls enduring the unspeakable pervaded every thought. But it was the vile smells that broke her spirit. Nothing could've prepared her for such foulness. Human waste and rotted flesh and blood choked the air as Caroline imagined she could taste the prisoners' fear with every breath.
It had been days without contact, and while she dreaded facing her captors and the torture they undoubtedly would inflict, she longed to see another person. But this time had given her the clarity she needed to consider her predicament. She had faith in Klaus' love for her that he'd no part in this unfortunate business. Somehow, her king's advisors on the Privy Council had concealed this madness from him.
Unfortunately, her dearest Enzo was far from the reaches of this kingdom and it would be months before he learned of her wretched fate. With a heavy sigh, Caroline realized that the burden of rescue fell upon her shoulders. Bloody but unbowed, she set to work on a plan.
The heavy wooden door was braced with iron, and it opened with a hateful screech as Cardinal Saltzman marched inside, his crimson and white satin robes billowing behind him. He coldly studied her disheveled appearance and grime-streaked face and sneered, "Murderess harlot."
She rose slowly, never looking away from his hateful gaze. It pleased her to note that even barefoot, she was level with his weak-chinned visage. Not to mention how he startled as a rat raced past his foot. She ran a careful finger along the emerald ring she still wore, the edge of the hidden compartment where the poison once rested still a comfort to her. She delivered herself from hell once, and she vowed to do it again.
"How did you poison Lord Salvatore? Confess and purge yourself of these mortal sins and perhaps earn a more lenient death by strangulation before the beheading."
Blue eyes narrowed as she considered his words. At first, she'd assumed that Enzo's reprobate uncle, whose boundless greed had once threatened their good name, had spread such scandalous rumors that it caught the attention of the king's Privy Council. But Klaus had so thoroughly ruined the man that he would never reclaim his status. He was a low-bellied coward and wouldn't dare to strike against her again.
"That you count strangulation as a mercy speaks to the coarseness of your character." At his indignant sputtering, she held up her hand and impatiently commanded, "Enough! Before we discuss my sins, perhaps yours should be brought into the light as well? You've forsaken a most sacred vow of chastity to father many children."
At Cardinal Saltzman's unimpressed brow, she pressed on, "But most egregious is your thievery. You've stolen from His Majesty."
From the tremble of his thin lips and sweat upon his brow, Caroline saw that her words struck a most brutal chord. "You've fixed your private seal to many fortunes and properties that were seized in our king's name."
Pale eyes grew wide as he hissed, "You're but a foolish woman and know nothing of men's affairs."
She chuckled darkly as she jeered, "You think a woman can't read a simple ledger? Estate accounts are quite complex, and I've many years' practice untangling such nonsense." At his incredulous expression, she shrugged and added wryly, "There's many ears that can be bought for mere coin, and you've grown quite careless with your records."
Cardinal Saltzman took a shaky breath, mopping the sweat at his temple as he asked, "What is it you wish, Countess St. John?"
The swiftness with which she'd been elevated from 'murderess harlot' was amusing. "Firstly, what coward has slandered my good name?"
"Your servant, Miss Gilbert, was approached by the Lord Chancellor to learn of any rumors to tarnish your character," the cardinal nervously replied.
Caroline stomped her foot in a fit of burning temper, every bland smile of her housemaid now suspect. The simpering, empty-headed fool used to dote on Damon in a most improper manner despite his relentless cruelty. Caroline easily could draw the line of vengeance that set Elena on this path, but what of Finn? "To what purpose would Klaus' brother turn against me?"
Gulping nervously, the cardinal explained, "Your...relationship with King Niklaus is a threat to the Lord Chancellor's ambitions. He seeks an alliance with the French king, whose cousin is Princess Camille of Orléans."
Caroline snorted in derision. Klaus once told her that Camille was nothing more than a plucked chicken whose neck was ripe for wringing. This alliance was doomed before it began. Shaking her head almost pityingly, she told Cardinal Saltzman, "You will seek out His Majesty without benefit of Finn's meddlesome presence, and tell him what has happened. Know this — if you fail in this task, I will be most vexed and ensure my loyal whisperers will bring you to ruination."
Cardinal Saltzman nodded his head quickly, wiping his mouth nervously as he asked, "Will you tell His Majesty of my invaluable aid in your rescue and ask him to grant me mercy?"
A small smile graced Caroline's lips as she reassured him, "Of course. There's always room for mercy in a woman's heart."
The arches of her solar were widened to ensure that every ray of sunshine was captured. How her king spoiled her. Caroline sleepily stretched, recalling that she was to join Klaus for a morning hunt. As she passed by the sweeping balcony overlooking the courtyard, a sly grin slid into place as she looked upon the severed heads of Finn, Cardinal Saltzman, Elena, and the guards who'd seized her, all planted on long pikes. She'd asked the king to have them strangled before they were beheaded.
After all, there's always room for mercy in a woman's heart.
