Author's note: This was written for the Klarowinter Bingo Event. It had been foolish for Lucien to go to New Orleans. But he was hell-bent on killing Klaus, and Caroline had a fondness for the blues and beignets...

Prompt: Fruitcake is a Roman curse


"Winning a war is the easy part. All it takes is brawn. Maintaining your rule afterward is the real test."
― Natasha Ngan, Girls of Paper and Fire


Red was such an obvious choice for the holiday. Frankly, Caroline had found it a bit garish ever since she'd been turned, but Lucien was fussy about his holiday decor and apparently, the hand-blown glass ornaments had graced his mantle for centuries. Not that it mattered any longer. The Original Hybrid had been spotted not far from their property line. And Lucien should've returned hours ago.

She poured a second brandy, letting out a sigh of resignation when the heavy oak doors slammed open with all the drama queen flare Lucien always swore Klaus possessed. When Lucien's severed head came to a rolling stop at her feet, she nudged it face-up with the toe of her stiletto. His mischievous hazel eyes were now flat and faded. A bit of ragged collar was all that remained of the sleek, black silk dress shirt Lucien had been wearing. Pity — the French cuffs had been his favorite look.

When Caroline finally glanced up again, she was taken aback by how close the Original Hybrid suddenly was. They always talked about his appalling cruelty, how his depraved beast craved the destruction that only violent chaos could bring. That face was a surprise, though. Why hadn't anyone warned her that the devil was so...hot? Squinting at those chiseled features and unexpected dimples, she frowned, realizing that Lucien actually had Photoshopped every surveillance photo of Klaus that he ever showed her. Seriously?! Talk about the fragile male ego.

Caroline wordlessly handed Klaus the second brandy, head held high. She would not cower. Studiously ignoring his quirked brow and amused grin, she took a sip of her own brandy, finding the warm cherry and chicory oddly calming despite the dire situation. Her neck itched, wondering whether he'd snap it first and then go in for some torture or would he dig his fangs in there and let the werewolf venom finish her off?

Gesturing to a fluted pedestal, she rambled, "Would you like a slice of fruitcake? I mean, clearly fruitcake is a Roman curse because grainy, candied fruit plus sticky old raisins in a dessert with all the fluffiness of a brick should be feared. But, Lucien had a fondness for it, the sentimental old fool."

He chuckled softly, "Lucien had an appalling number of character flaws, but I suspect 'sentimental' is possibly the kindest criticism he ever received." Tilting his head curiously, he observed, "You're not what I expected, sweetheart. Don't you care to mourn your fallen lover?"

Caroline shrugged, tossing back the rest of her brandy. "Kingdoms fall. It's best not to mourn the inevitable." Studying him shrewdly, she added, "And then history is written by the winners. I wonder what the Original Hybrid will write."

He seemed impressed by her answer, and took his time savoring his brandy before answering. "I enjoy a pragmatic woman." Flashing her a dimpled smirk, he entreated, "And please, call me 'Klaus'." He abruptly turned from her, his stride confident as he approached the carved dining table, pouring another round from the crystal decanter. Of course he was confident. After all, he'd murdered Lucien and by now must've seized control of his assets. It was a damn shame too — Caroline had helped Lucien build Kingmaker Land Development Inc. into the global behemoth it was today.

She'd tried to warn Lucien that his idiotic vendetta against Klaus would get him killed. But Lucien was hell-bent on his petty revenge, and Caroline never could turn down the seductive siren song of New Orleans' blues and beignets. She couldn't keep the flash of surprise from her face when Klaus brought the decanter to her, filling her glass once more. It was quite the gentlemanly act considering he was there to kill her.

"From your reaction, dare I ask whether you've seen an empire or two fall?"

Caroline burst out laughing. "At least have the good manners not to treat me like an idiot, Klaus. You knew exactly who I was even before I stepped off Lucien's plane." She refused to be his entertainment. Since Klaus didn't seem to be in a particular hurry to kill her, she decided to make herself more comfortable. Taking her drink into the parlor, Caroline sat in front of the blazing fire, considering her options.

While it was true she'd nursed a certain fondness for Lucien ever since he'd turned her, she wasn't one for messy attachments. Besides, no matter how much you dressed it up, three inches was still only three inches.

And she definitely wasn't about to foolishly challenge Klaus. But she also wouldn't go quietly. Perhaps she could figure out a third option. Klaus seemed to take her silence as an invitation, and companionably joined her at the fire.

"You were bleeding out in a filthy alley down in San Ignacio when Lucien found you," he abruptly stated, settling into the other wingback chair. "I'm told you mistook him for another drunken plantation owner and sank your teeth into his wrist when he was checking for a pulse." A hint of respect flashed in his gray gaze as he added, "Even while dying, you still clawed your way into another breath. You possess a warrior's heart — and yet you squandered your precious loyalty on that upstart stable boy."

Caroline could've sworn that jealousy colored Klaus' tone. Impossible. The brandy must be making her dimwitted. "I wasted nothing," she told him hotly, feeling her temper flare, "My loyalty belongs to meand only me." His lips twitched as though he was biting back a smile. She couldn't determine why he looked so smug as she told him, "Lucien and I were...companions. He was worldly and charming and showed me a good time."

He leaned forward, eyes twinkling as he seductively told her, "You know, it's been said that on occasion, I'm quite worldly and charming." Tipping her an impish wink, Klaus confessed, "I've also been known to have a very good time."

And just like that, a third option presented itself.