She walked in alone. Like always.
Never with him, or any other man.
Elijah had occasionally done the honors of escorting her, however, Klaus insisted that he shall escort, slash keep an eye on Rebekah. Kol had offered, but one deadly glare from Klaus put that idea to rest and honestly Caroline was grateful for it. Having Kol constantly around, with his childish shenanigans would make the whole eventing a nightmare. Of course, she could have brought a friend, however, last time Klaus took it upon himself make her dates next few days after a living hell. Now she only brings someone if she was looking for a reaction out of Klaus.
Therefore, she walked alone.
The room was filled with guests for the evening. Many powerful and high-quality families had made their appearance. Couple of new faces, but many the same. Fake smiles and disingenuous greetings. She had watched Elijah for years excelled in social settings. Sometimes, his ability to get through a single conversation amazed her. Countless exchanges felt exhausting. The men who actually engaged in conversation with her, Caroline had separated them into two categories. The ones who threw every sexist comment there is her way. Then there were the ones who looked at her as nothing more than the king's mistress and just talked to her in hopes to they would get the chance to interact with Klaus. However, thinking about its woman probably aren't much better. These women generally only have the means to talk to one another when sniffing out a fresh piece of gossip.
Everyone seemed relaxed and at ease. Which meant Klaus hadn't made his appearance yet.
The room was quite bright with a warm orange tint, from with freshly lit candles place everywhere around the room. Most of the guests, except for the vampires, had placed themselves away from the open books, not to feel the breeze the threaten to catch them. Caroline took a quick sweep of the room with her perfect vampire vision. Kol was flirting with two young women only a few meters away, women who looked like they could have dressed much more appropriately for the evening. Which made them perfectly dresses for Kol. Rebekah was engaged in the far corner, unsurprisingly surround by men and women listen to what Caroline could guess is an interest in the topic Rebekah was providing them. Which meant Elijah was possibly not here yet.
"How radiant you look tonight, lighting up the room brighter than the sun" Caroline could have groaned out loud, at the misery that had chosen to contain her. Instead, she produced a very unladylike scoff from her lips that let move for not endearment. While gazing the room, Kol had managed slip in next to her unaware.
"Wow, what a line" She said sarcastically. "How many girls have you use that line on tonight?" Caroline concluded many resulting in Kol's devilish smile.
"A few" Figures. She got a look over Kol shoulder openly to see Kol's prior entertainment looking towards her with cold, bitter eyes. "It would appear your previous amusements desire your attention much more than I currently do. Excuse me"
Caroline made a move to step around him; however, he quickly took action on that account. "Whoa, Whoa. What's the rush?" Kol hand lack onto her upper arm. She felt his strength through his snug grip. Caroline stared at his large fingers against the soft fabric of her dress. It wasn't unlike Kol to be so abrupt, but Caroline instantly returned her attention to him with a challenging glare. Seeming to understand he slowly moved his hand. They both took a moment to take a breath. When he looked at her again, he changed his state slightly. Instead, placing a gentle smile on his lips and softly rise out his hand to her. "I was just wondering if I could have the honor, please"
She thought about it for a moment. She knew Kol wouldn't take her refusal personally. However, in a public setting such as this, she knew it would be unwise to disrespect him in front of all these people. Especially since Kol appeared to persist tonight. So slowly and finally she placed her hand in his. His hand felt warm, coarse and unlike Klaus's his grip was skin-tight. He gave her a sly smile and lead her to the dance floor without delay. She was fully aware of his hand curved on her lower back.
To pass the time Caroline found herself looking around the room. Looking out of a certain someone. She just hoped Kol didn't notice. Caroline was determined to get through this dreadful dance, preferably in silence. Unfortunately, after a few minutes of swaying gently with each other and listening to the sweet melody of the musicians. Kol broke the silence.
"Never stop looking for him do you" Giving her an all-knowing look.
To which she simply shrugged her shoulders. "What's it to you"
"Nothing. It's just simply adorable to watch. Like a pet obediently waiting for its owner to come home" He was trying to rile her up. She decided to ignore his smart remark. Even though a fiery rage was building up inside. It wasn't the first time he had referred her to a type of pet. Thankfully she was excellent a control her emotions. She slightly turned her focus away from him. "Oh," He sucked a large breath in through his teeth. "I've offended you"
"As if I could never be offended by you" Caroline said spitefully.
Kol seemed to enjoy her wit. Kol picked up the tempo of their dance. He span her out, only to pull her in closer. "I do find it admirable the trust you give him." He inched his lips right against the shell of her ear "Even if it is misplaced" He whispered.
They were finally getting down to the point. She subtly ripped herself from Kol close hold. "Misplaced?" She calmly questioned. Kol raised his eyebrows in question. "Get to the point Kol. What do you want?" She was quickly getting tried with his games. Unfortunately, Kol appeared to be in the mood to draw out the conversation unnecessarily.
"Believe it or not" He dropped his voice seriously. "To help you"
Caroline rarely saw Kol look so serious. He held her eye contact for a long time until she scoffed in his face. Kol had never 'helped' someone unless it benefited him in some way. She untangled herself from his grasp and began marching away in an angry huff, but Kol made quick work to stop her in her tracks for the second time.
The hand he had placed on her arm to stop her, remained there this time. "How much do you know about these little 'trips' Klaus goes on" The usual expression had returned. Intensive eyes and lazy smirk.
Caroline's eyes raised with slight confusion. "I know what I want to know"
Something about that statement made Kol amused and she finally began to know why. "Or do you know what he wants you to know," Kol said decisively.
Caroline remained silent for a few moments. She wasn't stupid. Caroline was fully aware Klaus didn't always share everything. But she was aware he shared more with her than most others. Kol intended to challenge that as a type of delusion she was experiencing. "He's gaining new allies, searching for threats and getting rid of possible weaknes-"
"-Yes darling" He chuckled darkly. "I've heard the speech he gave to you" She looked at him with complete distaste. "Ask him" He said in nothing more than a whisper.
"Ask him what?"
She was not expecting Kol to move in closer until his lips were inches from her face. To everyone else, it would appear as though he was simply giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Ask him" She could feel the warmth of his breath. "Where he goes" His bottom lip scraping against her skin. "What he's doing" His lips felt slightly dry. "and most importantly why"
The sudden excitement fell upon all the guests. The commotion pulled all of Caroline's attention away from the Kol. The musicians stopped playing and a wave of silence filled the room as everyone's eyes locked onto the arrival. The only noise was the quiet mumbling from a number of guests. Caroline was trying to look past the crowd of people and see him. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes when she heard many of the female guests begin to gush. Even some of the servants stopped to stare. Many started to divert their graze when he walked by.
You could practically feel the power of his authority filling the room.
Klaus smirked confidently as he sauntered by. Elijah followed close behind on his left. It didn't escape Caroline noticed that the rest of the party that followed behind was all men. The moment stretched out as Klaus walked by.
Everyone watched as Klaus sat down on the throne. With a powerful, but slight flip or his wrist and the event presume as before. Elijah bend to speak in Klaus's ear, which reminded her of her exchange with Kol. She turned around to continue with the dreadful conversation. However, thankfully and oddly he had disappeared. Her eyes swept the room for a sign of him, but there was no trace. It didn't matter much though; she was ready to be done with his behavior anyway.
One by one, the guest of the evening began to line up in front of where Klaus was seated. Instantly you could see the unimpressed look on her face, as each guest presented themselves. Caroline decided to hang out for a while out of pure amusement. However, she eventually consented to make her presence known. Walked toward where he was seated with slow steps. Finally, when the guest in front of her left, she strolled forward confidently to present herself.
Once their eyes met, Klaus's once unreadable expression slightly crack. Excitement rose in his eyes as they roamed her figure. She firstly addressed Elijah with a formal bow and then she gave Klaus a deep bow. "Your grace" Her tone was less formal than her words. He gave her a gentle smirk and she returned it.
That morning was particularly cold, the chill in the air flooded the room. The new uniform she was given was barely keeping her warm. The dress itself wrapped around her tightly, displaying her young womanly figure. It left her arms and collarbone victim to the cold breeze. However, the cold air was nothing compared to the terrible ache that was starting to develop in her knees. The firm marble of the ballroom floor was so hard. She had been scrubbing it for at least two hours and wasn't even halfway done. She felt exhausted, her body was not used to such ruff-manual labor.
Klaus had left his chamber early that morning to deal with some 'matters' that needed his attention. So, she was once again left stuck in his stuffy chambers, with nothing to do but let time pass her by. However, this particular day she didn't have to stay bored for long. An old lady came to visit that morning to 'collect' her. Wasn't the most cheerful lady. She appeared to be human, Rosita was her name. She gave Caroline, a fresh uniform and escorted her to the kitchen, where she was given a set of tasks. It was made apparent Caroline was to be a new household servant. Her first thought was Klaus had become bored of her. She wasn't entirely surprised. So, she was now scrubbing the floors and her once nice, smooth palms had now developed red, swollen blisters.
She heard the echo of footsteps approaching behind her. Rosita approached her with an unsettling look on her face. "I'd advise you to hurry up girl" Caroline sent her a deadly stare, to which the woman return a look of disgust. Caroline watched her go. In her anger, she threw the scrubbing brush against the floor. She hated every minute of this place. The next several were spent finishing her task, she was sure not all of them were done to complete satisfaction. However, she didn't particularly care. After she was finished Caroline made her way to the kitchen. On her way back she wondered why she was all of a sudden placed as a servant, after so many months of being stuck in Klaus's chamber. Had Klaus become bored with her? Why he kept her around if she was just to become a servant? He hadn't bedded her. Throughout the day she had been working with other women. She listened in to the stories they had, about what some of the men had done to them. It was terrible. By the sounds of what these women had experienced it did not sound pleasurable. Finally approaching the kitchen, she watched the other servants, more like prisoners they were. Scrubbing, brushing, washing all day long. Most looked so tired. She felt so much pity for them and she was now one of them.
She stood off to the side, rubbing her palms. After scrubbing the floors for majority of the day. Her palms were now terribly red and even bleeding a little.
"You poor thing" Caroline looked up from her hands to see a man standing only a few feet away. He was well dress and was clearly of high rank. He stood out like a sore thumb next to all the servants. Caroline instantly stood up straighter, felt her body tense up.
"Excuse me, milord. I didn't see you there" She bowed her head slightly. Considering what happened last time an intruder surprised her. She didn't want trouble.
The man's smile seemed to widen. "Does it hurt?" The man pouted. He stepped closer to her. She slightly turned away. The smile of his face did not seem sincere. "There is no need to be afraid little one. I might be able to help with that" He gestured down to her hands. After a moment of silence he once again started toward her. He was about a foot taller than her. He looked young. Instead of running, she decided to stand her ground. "You're Klaus's new little pet"
"I'm not anyone's pet" Caroline snapped back. Seriously pet!
"So feisty" He surprised her when she felt him take her hand. Raising her hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss upon it. "I'm Kol, the handsome brother" Her stance fell a little upon hearing this. 'Klaus's brother'. Kol noticed her surprise and smirked playfully. Caroline began backing away again, only to have Kol follow her. He was so close to her face that she could feel his breath. Others around them started looking their way. She summoned her courage to meet his eyes. She was powerless, as usual. "Such a beautiful thing" His face appeared to be getting closer, his mouth opened ever so slightly. Caroline thought she might have caught a glimpse of his fangs. It was then she became stiff from fright. Her body prepared herself for an attack. Thankfully, he pulled away moments later. That cocky smile still present. "You should get going love. My brother will be no doubt expecting you." The surprise must have shown in her eyes. "I'm guessing, you thought he was bored of you" Kol laughed. "From what I've seen darling, he's not even close"
Caroline didn't get a chance to ask what he meant by that before he sauntered away leaving Caroline confused. So, Klaus wasn't done with her. Caroline's mind instantly returned to the experience of what the women were talking about earlier. "Girl!" A tray was dumped in Caroline's hands telling her it was for his grace. Caroline turned to see Rosita looking at her unforgivingly. The women seemed to hate her. "Come with me" Caroline hesitated. Did she really want to go back to that hell hole? It didn't seem like she had a choice. "Hurry up girl" Caroline slowly followed behind her as she balanced the tray of food and wine. They sped through the halls so quickly that Caroline struggled to keep up and hold the meal on the tray at the same time. They finally made it to Klaus's chambers. The older woman turned to Caroline. "I will be back tomorrow morning, be ready" And with that said she swiftly left. Leaving Caroline standing there with a tray in her hands, staring blankly at the door. The guards placed at the door remained still. Only when she moved towards the doors did one of the guards finally move to open the door.
Upon entering the room, she saw everything was how she left it. Klaus was seated in one of the chairs by the fire. His ankle resting across his knee. A piece of paper and some graphite in hand. He didn't look up when she walked in, he remained silent. She stood there at a loss of what to do as she heard the large chamber door being closed behind her. She swallowed deeply. Step by step she hesitantly walked towards him. Watching him rub the piece of graphite across the paper. It was only once she stood in front of him that he finally stopped and looked at her. Once he saw the tray in her hands, he smirked and simply raised his eyebrows at her. She expected him to say something, however, he just remained silent. She gave him a confused look. "I think this is meant to be for you" She spoke slowly.
He gave her a wide smirk. He nodded towards to small table in front of him. So, she turned and placed the tray on the table. Then look at him again for her next move. Once again, he smirked. "You hungry?" She paused, before shaking her head. She saw him roll his eyes. "Of course, you are. Eat." He focused back on his sketch. She vacillated. Eventually, she sat in front of the table. She was, in fact, hungry, her stomach had been growling all day. She started to pick at the meal in front of her. She hesitantly picked up a small piece of bread on the side. She ate it slowly like she was expecting to taste poison. She could feel his eye on her. She looked over to see him looking straight at her with hooded eyes. "So how was it today?"
She looked up at him like he was crazy. "Great." She said sarcastically. She started to eat quicker, feeling annoyed. When she looked at him again, he just raised his eyebrows at her in question. "I scrubbed floors all day. It could have been better."
"I thought you might have been bored sitting around here" She instinctively scoffed.
"And you thought sending me to scrub floors would make me happier?" She looked at him like he was insane. In return, he sent her a neutral expression. She resumed the meal in front of her.
Klaus paused, he seemed to be thinking for a moment. She was halfway through her meal when he finally replied. "Are you saying you would rather stay in here all day" He spoke with a deep voice. There was an underlining threat in his voice, but it also seemed to be a simple question. He stared at her with a strong gaze. She chose to ignore him. He eventually returned to his drawing and she continued to finish her meal. She was happy she finally got to eat something and fill her empty stomach. When finished her meal she turned her attention to her sore aching hands. She softly brushed over the blisters. There was a lot of dirt buried underneath her nails and covering her hands like a black glove. She was confused when Klaus leaned forward and handed her a goblet of what appeared to be red wine. She eyed him with a muddled look. "Drink" She judged the goblet of a moment. She had never quite acquired a taste for red wine. Seeing her hesitate he push the chalice towards her. She caught the cup against her chest.
She looked to Klaus only to find him concentrating on his sketch. She took sips from the red liquid. The moment the liquid touched her tough she instantly tasted the strong dull flavour. She felt her tough go a little fuzzy. When she swallowed the liquor, she felt the sensation of the powerful tang going down her throat. However, that wasn't the only thing she felt. Once again looking down at her damage palms, she saw the skin beginning to heal itself. Within minutes all her sores and cuts had entirely healed. She turned around to look directly at Klaus, but he didn't look up from the paper in his hands. She finally looked back at the goblet.
Klaus stood up from his chair to leave. "I'll have a bath drawn for you," he said before leaving the room. She looked back at her now restored palm with confusion.