AN: Thank you all so much for the fun reviews, follows, and favorites- I'm so glad that people are digging this. I'm planning a slow burn sort of thing while trying desperately to make sure the characters are as true to themselves as I can be. I think and/or hope, given the time period and set up I've provided, that I'm doing pretty good.
This story is Canon divergent/fusion of a fairytale so I'm trying to keep it as canon as I can but also being true to both stories. Which means it's set in England, 1492. (Though Beaty and the Beast was first written in France in 1740) And Klaus' curse is the same from TVD, the proverbial Sun and Moon Curse, I figured that it still fit for Beaty and the Beast (Or in truth, I'm making it fit) Hope that answered any questions. Thank you for reading, lurking, or following this story, it means a lot.
And thank you for being patient, these last 2 weeks were murder on my free time. _
Ch 3
The day, warm but tolerable for summer, rolled on. Caroline, curious to a fault, had decided to venture out into the halls of the castle. Might as well learn the lay of the structure she'd call home and tomb, no? Besides, she was a 'guest'. Grimacing at the thought, she left her room. In the quiet parts of her mind, she wondered if she could find a way to escape. Something told her she would have a harder time than just walking out the doors.
The halls were quiet, with the exception of a maid or two. Walking past room after room, barely encountering a soul, she quietly crept through the castle. Where was everyone? Maybe they were all eaten by the Lord Niklaus. The thought almost sent a shiver down her spine but then she remembered that the man had not shown her anything beastly other than his face and his anger. Could it have been magic? She had never given much thought to such things, silly tales, no doubt. But what she had seen needed an explanation she could not think of.
Upon rounding the next corner she ran into a wall, no, not a wall. Thrusting her arms out for purchase, Caroline found that her arms were in someone's grip. Her eyes darted up to see that it was, indeed, not a wall, but his lordship, Elijah. Sighing in relief, she gave him a polite and apologetic smile, "Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry, my lord. My head was not with my feet."
Letting her go quickly, he bowed his head, and brushed off his chest, "It is quite alright, Mistress Caroline. I was just on my way to see if you would take a tour of the grounds with me. Better to know where you are allowed to wander than where you are not." He smiled, a picture of gentle manners. She was not sure she trusted it, but he showed her the most kindness in this whole ordeal, so she smiled back.
"That sounds lovely, thank you, and please, Caroline is perfectly fine. As you know I have no title, no money, and no need for all the pleasantry." She said as she gestured ahead of her. In truth, she wanted to gather more information on him and his brother. Was he like his brother? How long has his brother been like this? Is there a name for what he was? Too many questions and almost no answers so far.
"If that is what you wish, this way." He held his arm out for her to hold and they walked on, past halls that led to studies and odd rooms.
The servants lived below where the kitchens were also located. She was permitted to go there if she wished to, but he advised her against it, something along the lines of 'would not be proper'. Caroline made a noise that morphed into a cough to hide her mirth, making a note that Lord Elijah was a very proper gentleman.
They walked on till they came across the library. At Caroline's surprised expression, Lord Elijah cleared his throat, "We've collected quite a few books over the years," he swept his hand out to indicate the many shelves of books. A vast library to be sure, she wondered what each book held behind its covers. Caroline had always been the more learned child of the family, often found reading instead of sewing, challenging whomever she could to a game of chess, discussing her father's business ventures. Her brothers lacked the passion for trading like her father had hoped. Their talks had started as her simply listening to his woes. But then they would spend the evening hours in discussions of anything that would come to their heads. Those evenings had all but stopped since...her mother.
How would she get through this without him? The telltale prickling at her eyes warned her to stop her thoughts. She needed to be brave, show no fear.
Her eyes took all that the room offered, a small table to the side held a chessboard, a grand fireplace, many cushioned seats for reading or conversations, in truth it looked rather cozy to her. Yes, she could see herself spending most of her days here.
"A pleasant room," she smiled at her guide, "shall we continue?" She motioned for him to lead the way again. Caroline would find her way back here as often as she could.
They passed more halls, with more rooms she was sure to never remember. She was sure to get lost now should he abandon her.
Before long, they had found themselves outdoors. Breathing in the slight spring air, Caroline sighed in contentment. Soon it would be summer, her favorite time of the year. The air would be warm enough for walks, the flowers in bloom, nature felt at its peak to her in summer. Her smile appeared to be a permanent fixture on her face now.
Elijah had made his way to the entrance of the garden, Caroline quickly followed suit. They had entered under the stone arches when she forced herself to refrain from reacting. Instead, she drank up the sight of the multitude of flowers before her. There were some she had never seen before. And the colors, the smells, were luxurious. Could she stay here till her final moments? Would they be kind enough to let her?
The garden was designed to be separated into layers, each layer walled off by high, sculpted hedges. The garden's outer edge appeared to be organized by types of flowers, each type in their own grouping with little nameplates on them, a brief history of where they originated from, and how best to take care of them. She found that that particular detail might have been her favorite part. She loved organization. The next layer into the garden was a maze of hedges that stopped at her waist. She noted a statue or two in the depths of the maze.
She noticed that Elijah was walking casually, no set path in mind. She decided to do the same. Mindlessly walking around, Caroline soon found that her feet had steered her towards the middle of the garden. Passing through the opening in the hedges that separated this layer and the last.
There, in the middle of all that splendor, stood a large rose bush. Pretty pink roses. Her companion long forgotten, she tentatively reached out to touch one. The flowers were gorgeous, most were closed, not quite in bloom yet. It was as if she were in a trance and just as her fingers got close, she remembered her father, his smile lines and crinkled crows feet- the look she had grown used to from him. And just like that, the trance she was under broke. Quickly taking her arm down, she turned around. Caroline briskly walked past the little maze, past the categorized flowers, and back into the stone prison. The tears were not stopping.
A figure, one she had not noticed, watched her closely as she entered and exited the garden.
Hours passed. Her eyes long since dried. Caroline swore years ago that she would never break down like she just had. Crying made her feel weak and vulnerable, and she never wanted to feel that way again. So she toughened her nerves, strengthened her mind, and avoided situations that would lead to trouble she couldn't handle. Which explained how she got here, she thought with a sarcastic sigh.
The room, quiet and dark, held only her and the furniture. How many people, victims, lived here like her, stared at these walls, watching the shadows grow longer, waiting for their death?
Well, this kind of thinking cannot be good, she thought, I should do something to distract myself. Looking around the room she started to plan. If she moved the cushioned seats towards the other wall, it would be perfect for reading after dinner. Then she could organize the chest that most likely held other clothes. God, she hoped she would be getting other clothes. And she thought she saw a rug that would look much better in here.
Standing from her position on the bed, she headed over to the seats in question. Then there was a soft knock on the door.
With ice suddenly in her veins and through her chest, she mustered up that 'will to be strong' earlier. "Yes?" She almost sounded sure of herself, almost. She would get better at this, another task on her list was added.
"Dinner will be served shortly," the maid from earlier spoke through the door, "Will you be needing my help?"
Rolling her eyes at the idea of another dinner, one with too many questions directed at her, no doubt, she grimaced to herself. Opening the door, she took the girl's appearance in, "No, I thank you, but I know the way now," she said in a reassuring and kind manner. "Would you mind acquiring a stationary set for me?" The girl nodded and moved to walk away before Caroline stopped her, "You may call me Caroline if you would like."
"Yes, Caroline." The girl bowed her head.
"And your name?" Caroline spoke softly as if this girl was a flighty bird who would whisk herself away as soon as she stepped near it.
"Mary." With that, she walked down the hall.
Caroline wondered if the girl had seen horrors she could only imagine. With that sobering thought, she was on her way to what could very well be her last meal.
"How was the garden?" His curiosity only grew after catching his brother and her in the garden. He hoped she'd surprise him, an odd trait of hers he found enjoyable. Since she arrived at the table, she did little more than eat and drink.
And now, his impatience had won out.
Her lashes fluttered, eyes now downcast, hiding her thoughts with them. Then she lookedup, as if she had suddenly decided on her actions, "Vast and beautiful. I expected as much. Though, I must admit...I found the roses...lacking." His jaw ticked in controlled annoyance. His facade cracked ever so slightly. Before he could say anything, ask her to enlighten him, she continued. "I had thought they were rather pretty, gorgeous when I first laid eyes on them, however, upon closer inspection I realized that they were simply not pretty enough to be imprisoned for. You should find a new gardener." She took a sip of her wine, and he watched her slender neck. It reminded him of a swan, graceful and so delicate.
He smiled, genuinely enjoying her answers. Few talked back to a monster like him. "Then I will be sure to tell him that before I eat him. Thank you for your honesty, sweetheart." Klaus sipped his wine, taking an immense amount of joy from her reaction to his statement. Her creamy skin went pale, bringing out the pinks in her cheeks and the blue in her eyes. He noted some green to them, making his initial thoughts of the sea a good comparison.
"What are you?" That question always comes up, most often when he's about to drain someone dry. With Caroline, the question sounds almost normal. Innocent in a way, her fire is still in it though. A demand really, he can even tell that she will find out on her own if she had to.
"What do you think we are," Klaus set his cup down, eyes keen to catch whatever signs her face would betray.
She paused, presumably collecting her thoughts, caught off guard by what he had said. After a moment, shoulders straightening, she spoke, "To be honest, I am not sure. A mythical creature?"
"What have you heard?"
"The storytellers in town say you killed a witch, and with her dying breath, she cursed you. But then, they also say you have antlers and a tail."
He chuckled at that. "As you can see, no horns. And no tails. Every country has their own stories, bedtime tales to spook the children at night."
Her tongue peeked out to soothe her dry lips. He wanted to catch it with his teeth. Taste her blood on his tongue, would she moan with pleasure or whimper in fear. He blinked. Purposefully breaking his gaze from her face, he looked at the contents of his cup, a smile playing on his face to mask his inner thoughts. "Have you ever heard of vampires, love?" His eyes looked up to catch hers in his stare.
Her blue eyes, piercing and quizzical, watched him, waiting for what he would say next. He found them delightful. "What, no stories of the shadows at night, the things that lurked just outside of your door?" Leaning closer, he watched in rapt attention at the emotions that played across her face. Fear, prominent at first, was soon replaced by a stubbornness he was realizing as a trademark of hers. "Let me enlighten you, love." The fire in her eyes burned hotter at his words. Oh, what a treat she was? He would have to draw those defiant eyes later.
"My family are the first of our kind. The original sires of the creatures of the night. We survive by drinking blood and we have lived for centuries." He mockingly raised his glass as he sat back in his chair.
"Niklaus-" his brother chimed in. No doubt trying to save the girl from this needless explanation.
With a heavy sigh of annoyance, Klaus addressed his brother, "Elijah." He set his cup down, "Forgive my brother's interruption, Caroline, he enjoys our secrets almost as much as I do. But he forgets," he leaned closer again, "the best secrets are kept between you and the dead." With that, he winked at her.
"Then I better learn how to kill you," she spoke up with her impertinent mouth. Though as tempting as it was to kiss, the urge to silence it was much greater at that moment. The vein in his jaw ticked as he ground his teeth, eyes narrowing at her little outburst.
"Yes, well, a feat I for one would rather not hear about at the table." Elijah wiped his mouth and made to stand. "I think we should retire to the library. Would you care to join me, Caroline?"
Her eyes flitted away towards his brother. She gave him a soft smile, that lit up her face in an almost angelic way. "I would be happy to oblige." Klaus had been momentarily caught by the effect her smile had on her features. It showed how young she was, her eyes shone just a touch more than they already had. He found himself itching to copy it, to put this face down on canvas before he snuffed the life from her. A pity if he did not at least try.
As Caroline rose to join Lord Elijah, his brother quickly followed suit. He walked closely behind her, a little unnerving but at least he had not offered his arm. Something about him unsettled her greatly, and his true nature was not it. She decided to keep as much distance as she could from him, if that was even possible.
No one spoke as they made their way to the library. Once inside, Lord Elijah made his way to one of the many shelves, searching for a book. Lord Niklaus stood slightly behind her as if to wait till she decided on her activity. Without giving it much thought, and at the sight of the chessboard, she turned to the lord nearest her, "Do you play chess?"
Before he could answer, his brother scoffed, mumbling something she could not make out.
"Really, Elijah, it's just a game," Lord Niklaus said.
His brother eyed him, one brow raised as if to challenge that remark, "I refuse to play you if you do not follow the rules of the game."
"Ignore him, love, he's a sore loser." The lord smirked and lead her to the table, his hand on the small of her back making her tense slightly.
As they took their seats she could not help but smile at the two brothers, if he was a cheater, it would be fun to beat him at the game, if she even could. There was no telling if he had told her the truth, being centuries old would mean that they were well used to games like this. Maybe even games she had never heard of.
Lord Elijah finally decided on a book and sat down far away from them, close to the fire that warmed the room.
"After you," Lord Niklaus said in a polite wanted to smack the pieces off the board because of it, or maybe smack him? He appeared overconfident as if he was already assured victory. He probably would win. He seemed accustomed to winning, she couldn't tell what about him made her think that. His attitude? His eyes? The way he walked into a room?
She moved a pawn.
"Would I be correct in assuming it is just you and your bother? Have you any other siblings I should worry about? I would hate to steal their pretty flowers, too." She smiled at him, one she had practiced for Court, sarcastic with a hint of coyness.
Niklaus smirked at her, finding her little joke truly amusing, "Unfortunately, your guess was wrong, we have two brothers and a sister. But no worries, love, they are away at the moment."
He followed her move exactly.
They both come from large families, they had something in common. She had no idea how to feel about that. Similarities were bound to happen, she supposed. But the idea that she had anything in common with a monster made her ill at ease, nervous in her own skin.
Caroline moved her bishop.
Her father had taught her the game, even going so far as to teach her a little trick, as well. She enjoyed using it on men that thought her a simpleton. She won against several men, even her would be suitor fell prey to her little trick.
"Would you say that this is a game of strategy?" She asked the lord in front of her.
"Indeed, it is. A good player must look ahead, anticipate their enemy's moves in order to win the game." He smiled in that lopsided way he seemed to favor, showing off his dimples. He moved his rook.
"I would have to agree, my lord." Caroline moved her queen, causing a questioning look to be thrown her way.
Niklaus moved his bishop, a mistake, looking ahead at future moves when he has failed to see what was currently happening.
She stops for a moment, this game was hers and he had no idea. This usually happened to her when she played these particular sets of moves. But with him, it felt deliciously good to succeed, and almost...guilty? As if she was about to pull the rug out from under him like a cruel joke. Why did she care again?
"But while most would look ahead, assessing their future moves and that of their opponents," she said as she took out a pawn while moving the queen, "few see the dangers hiding in front of them." Her queen sat diagonally from the king. In just four moves the game was over. She sat back. "Checkmate." Now it was her turn to smirk.
Shock registered on his face, then a darkness passed over his features before he checked himself and, masking his emotions once more, he grins wickedly at her. "Clever little trick, sweetheart." A shiver ran up her spine. Did she anger him too much? Would he kill her now? This constant state of 'will I die now or later?' was aggravating.
"I see our guest has exploited one of your flaws, brother." Elijah calmly stated from across the room. Did he have to comment? Although, she did feel proud for recognizing something in him like a flaw. Flaws were good, they meant that vampires had weaknesses, that they were still a little bit human.
"Would you care for another match?" In a way, she meant it as a peace offering. Her voice was calm, not demanding or challenging, as if they were all friends.
In answer, Niklaus set the board back up and gestured for her to make the first move again.
She moved a pawn, same as before.
"Who taught you how to play?" He asked her as he moved his pawn, as well.
A small smile played on her lips, she could tell she had affected him, "My father taught me, as well as that particular play. He wanted me to hold my own at Court." She placed another piece forward. He would likely take it in the next turn, but she had a plan in mind.
"Smart man," Niklaus remarked while doing exactly what she had expected, "though, not smart enough to leave what's mine alone."
She felt the urge to roll her eyes at all the jabs at her father. Would he ever stop throwing that in her face?
"And what of your mother, Caroline? What fun little tricks did she grace you with?"
Her hand paused on the piece she was going to move next. Her heart picked upit's pace as she shook off her momentary surprise. "She taught me many things, my lord, such as the art of keeping my secrets to myself." With her eyebrow cocked in a challenging look she moved her next piece. His pieces were posed in such a way that she would most likely lose.
He seemed to enjoy that answer greatly. Moving his next piece in place, blocking her rook and providing an upper hand to himself, he spoke again, "Call me Klaus."
"If you so wish." She maneuvered her knight closer to the king on the board.
He chuckled and placed his rook in the path of her king. "Check."
The game looked grim for her. In truth, there was nothing she could really do. She moved her queen away. Only for his queen to take her's out, giving him another leverage over her. Sighing, she moved her other bishop further up.
He took her king. "I believe this round goes to me." He looked like the devil himself.
"I believe you are correct, this round is yours." With that, she excused herself for the night.