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And she laughed and she cried and she tried to taunt him

And he hated to be separated

From that picture, No

Well maybe I'm just thinking that the rooms are all on fire

Every time that you walk in the room

Well there is magic all around you if I do say so myself

I have known this much longer than I've known you

DPOV

Katherine made her way over to my table, lifting her skirts as she took her seat beside me. I smiled at her then turned my head back to my court. Her ladies in waiting were making their way to the table beside ours. I noticed one of the ladies had fallen back from the rest slightly. The royal blue fabric of her dress had stood out from the rest of the warmer rose and golden tones of the other gowns. I followed the pattern of the dress up past the sensual curve of her hips, along her slender stomach, to where the fabric ended and her delicious olive toned skin began.

The swell of her bosom over the edge of her gown was enough to drive any man over the edge, maybe I would take her as a mistress when I tired of Katherine, God knows that day would be here soon. I continued my gaze up her beautiful neck and took in her face that was framed by her soft brown wavy locks. It was the face of Aphrodite herself. Her soft pink lips were just begging to be kissed.

I looked up into her eyes, and was taken aback when I realized she was looking back at me. My breath caught in my throat as I took in all of her beauty. I could only gawk at this creature in front of me. I saw the blood rise in her chest and flush over her face and realized I had been caught staring at her. She quickly looked away and took her seat with the rest of the ladies.

I turned my attention back to Katherine as she called my name. She said something that I barely heard. My thoughts were stuck on the beautiful lady in waiting. I smiled and nodded. I motioned for my servants to bring me my supper. Once my glass of wine was poured I stood and the hall quieted. I originally had a warm speech planned, but with the current thoughts coursing through my head I didn't trust myself anymore. "To Katherine, our future Queen!" was all I said. I took a sip from my glass and sat back down to begin my meal, not taking my eyes off of the beauty in the blue dress once.

The talking commenced throughout the hall once again and everyone began to eat. Katherine turned to me, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Your Majesty I must speak with you about my ladies" she did not sound too happy. I nodded for her to go on. "Princess Alexia? Damon, really? Of all the ladies available you had to select her?" What the hell was wrong with Alexia? For god's sake this woman was not even my wife yet and she was driving me to the brink of insanity.

"She is my brother's wife Katherine, I cannot exclude her from her god given duties and you know that. I am sure that with more time you two will get along better."

"She confronted me in front of all of my other ladies, she said that serving me was tedious and degrading" the woman just would not give it up. I admit that I had forced Alexia to take the position among Katherine's ladies, and she had not liked it at all. But I was the king, and as much as I loved my brother, I just couldn't pass up a chance to make his life more difficult. It was fun playing god amongst men, indeed.

"I will speak with Lady Jenna Saltzman" that was all I was giving her, and I wasn't even sure I would do just that.

Katherine huffed loudly beside me. She moved in closer so that her mouth was extremely close to my ear as she spoke, "she called me your whore Damon." Leave it to Lexi to turn this around on me. At least once the marriage was final I would be able to ignore Katherine and do as I pleased once again. All of this pleasing her crap was starting to wear on me. Now I would have to address the issue. I turned and faced Katherine, putting on my best mask of anger.

"I will speak to Stefan then. This will not go unpunished I promise you" and with that she smiled and turned back to stuffing her face with food. I was free from Katherine's whining at the moment, I put my thoughts back on the beautiful lady in waiting sitting across from me. She was sitting beside Lady Caroline Forbes whose father William Forbes I knew well.

She turned her head in my direction, eyes closed, as a laugh spread across her features. Her breasts swelled up and down as she continued to laugh. I was mesmerized by her. I had to know her. I took another sip of my wine. I motioned for one of my servants to come to my side. Making sure Katherine was well in conversation with another Lord I gave my servant the look he knew and understood. He nodded and inclined his head, waiting for me to point out the lucky woman I had chosen. I flicked my hand towards the woman in the bright blue gown. He nodded again, bowed and walked away.

The feast continued later on into the night. Katherine danced with some of my lords and I watched as she twirled and dazzled the men of my court. I watched as Tyler Lockwood asked Lady Forbes to dance with him. She looked flustered and agreed, leaving my mystery woman alone at the table. I contemplated dancing with her, knowing right away the scandal it would cause seeing as I hadn't even danced with my own fiancée all evening. I quickly dismissed the thought. Knowing I would see her tonight in the privacy of my own chambers.

I watched as Jeremy Gilbert approached her table. He bowed and offered his hand. She smiled and he led her out to join the others. My blood started to boil. Who was this man? Did she know him? Was she engaged to be married? Not that it mattered, I was the king and if I wanted her she would come to me willingly.

I stared on as they laughed their way through the dance. She was a good dancer for never attending court before in her life. She executed the steps with perfection and grace, making it look so incredibly easy. She laughed the entire dance with the Gilbert boy, infuriating me even more so as the night went on. There seemed to be something between them, they definitely knew each other. She seemed to relax in his company, something she had not done throughout the meal. Her proper exterior that all ladies were to present at court was cracking ever so slightly and it was all it took to send me over the edge.

I had to know her.

I would know her, tonight.

She had trusted many

But been unfamiliar with

Almost everyone but you

Well maybe I'm just thinking that the rooms are all on fire

Every time that you walk in the room

Well there is magic all around you, if I do say so myself

Well I have known this much longer than I've known you

EPOV

"Caroline that man is staring at you!" I whispered and giggled at the same time in her ear. It was true. A very handsome and strong looking young man had been staring at the golden haired beauty from across the hall for over half an hour now. Caroline looked up at the man and blushed as he waved at her. Just then he stood and excused himself from his table. He started to make his way towards us.

"Oh no he's coming over here! He is going to ask me to dance! Oh Elena what do I do?" She asked me in a laughing panic. She looked absolutely hilarious.

"You dance with him of course, was that not the plan, to find a lord to dance the night away with?" She turned and smiled at me. We heard the sound of a man clearing his throat.

"Ladies," he said with a smile and bowed. Caroline's face was priceless. He reached his hand out to her, "would you care to dance miss?"

She nodded her head as she spoke, "Lady Caroline Forbes my Lord" she got up from the table giving me a smile.

"Tyler Lockwood, Duke of Norfolk," he said with a wink. I heard Caroline gasp at his title. He was very close with the King. The two joined the rest of the men and women in the centre of the room. I noticed that Princess Katherine was dancing with all of the Kings close friends. It didn't escape me either, that the King remained seated and did not dance with his fiancée.

After the dance had ended everyone clapped and took a second before setting up for the next one. Just then my view of the hall was blocked by a body. I looked up to see my brother Jeremy. I was overcome with happiness at the sight of his face. I hadn't seen him in weeks. He gave me a small bow to which I smiled. He was always such a gentleman. He put out his hand for me and we made our way out to join the others.

"How do you like court sister?" he asked me as we began to dance. I had only learned the steps when Jeremy had come home during the Christmas holidays and taught me.

"It is very extravagant, so far everyone seems pleasant. I am to share a bed chamber with Lady Caroline Forbes, she is very kind and we get along well." I told him as we twirled and mixed with the other dancers.

"What of Katherine? What do you think of his Majesty's Italian jewel? He asked me, not bothering to hide his distaste for the woman. I looked over at her. She was laughing and twirling with another man. One would assume they were lovers with the looks she was giving him. Maybe what people were saying of her was true, maybe she was a whore.

"I am of no place to speak badly of the Kings choice of bride" I responded quickly. I was not at home anymore. There were spies at court, everyone was constantly being watched. One wrong word could have you headed for the block. Jeremy laughed at my discomfort.

"You mean the King's pretty little chess piece?" I gasped at his words as I was twirled around another man. Once I was back to Jeremy he continued his thought, "Oh you cannot honestly believe he loves her Elena! He is the King of England. He has had more woman than even God can count. And when they are married he will continue to have more women." I could not begin to understand what he was saying. Yes I knew he was the King of England and that he need only snap his fingers to be presented with whatever his heart desired, but did he not want love? Did he not long for one woman to give everything to, to have by his side, to help him rule his country, to have children by and grow old with? I could not understand how even a King of men could not want such a thing. "He will marry Katherine and in return form an alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor of Italy. He will forge the strongest army in the world and invade France. That is why he is marrying her."

I smiled at my brother. Whatever the King wanted with Katherine was his business. It hardly affected me and so I had no business pushing my nose up at them. The dance ended and we lined up for the next one. I danced with Jeremy all night long. Several times I looked up and noticed the King staring off into space. He looked troubled, almost as if he was in pain. Maybe he was realizing he didn't want to marry Katherine as he was forced to watch her flirt with his closest of friends. Why I was giving it so much thought I didn't know.

At the end of the night Jeremy bowed and kissed my hand. I smiled to him and told him to tell our father that I would see him later on this week. He smiled and left with a group of men, including the Duke of Norfolk. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around. Caroline was standing behind me with a big smile on her face.

"So I take it your night went well?" I asked her returning the smile. She just giggled and linked her arm through mine as we left the hall behind the other Ladies in Waiting. We returned back to Katherine's presence chamber and began to prepare her for bed. Princess Alexia was in charge of stripping the Princess of her gown and dressing her in her night robes. Caroline and I were to prepare the Princess's bed for her.

We began by removing the heavier quilts off of her bed, following with the cushions. We pulled back the sheets for her and sprinkled one of her Italian perfume powders onto her pillow. Apparently it helped her sleep. Once everything was ready we waited on either side of the bed for her to enter the room. Katherine entered in her night robes, her hair was free of pins and jewels, and it looked less grand than it had at dinner. We curtseyed to her and she made her way to the bed. She climbed in more clumsily than graceful, and crossed her arms. Caroline and I pulled the sheets up to her abdomen and backed away. We looked to her for further instructions and she simply flicked her hand towards the door to dismiss us. We curtseyed again and left the room.

"Such a bitch" Caroline whispered as we left the presence chamber. We had not taken ten steps outside the Princess's rooms when we were stopped by Lady Saltzman.

"Elena, I am so sorry we have not had time to really greet each other. You must understand today has been a hectic one" she said to me with a smile. Caroline's face was one of confusion when I looked over to her.

"Oh Caroline I do apologize for the confusion, Lady Jenna Saltzman is my aunt" I replied. Caroline's eyes widened in shock and then went back to normal as she smiled and said hello. I turned back to Jenna, "That is no fault of yours Aunt, I must say the castle truly is as extraordinary as you told me in your letters" she smiled at that.

"Elena your Uncle delivered a message to me earlier this evening," she looked over at Caroline and then back at me. She could tell already that we were becoming the best of friends and that whatever the message was she could tell me in front of her. "The King requests an audience with you, tonight."

Caroline gasped at this. Jenna looked down towards her feet. I stood there, stunned. The King, The King of England, wanted to see me, a Lady in Waiting to his betrothed! I felt my legs get week and my head began to spin. I leaned into the wall for support. "Whatever have I done to deserve this?" I asked terrified. Had I done something to offend his Majesty? Maybe Katherine had complained to him about me?

Jenna placed her hand on my cheek, "Elena the King wishes to see you in his privacy chambers. Do you understand?" she was talking to me as if I was a small child. I still was a child, a lost child at court. I shook my head. I still assumed I was in some sort of trouble. "Elena the King has taken an interest in you," another gasp from Caroline, "The King wants a private audience with you. He has taken a fancy to you my dear child."

Well that did it. I understood loud and clear what they were saying now. The King wanted to take me as a mistress. How could this have happened, on my first day at court? I could barely breathe I was so scared. I could not let this happen. I would go to the King and outright refuse to be his mistress. He had a fiancée, he was the King he could have anyone he wanted. He would not have me. But he did want me. My world was spinning. I looked up into my Aunt's eyes, and then over to Caroline who was still as shocked as I was. I nodded and began to move towards my rooms, reaching my arm out to Caroline.

"Elena, everything will be okay. I promise" she smiled and walked away. Caroline and I walked back to our chambers in silence. Once inside the room I sat down on the bed.

"What do I do Caroline?" I looked up at her. She was still shocked.

"Elena I- I don't know what to say. You have to go to him, he's the King! If you do not go to him he could have you charged!"

"With what?" I shouted, fearing for my life.

"Disobeying the King's orders? He has ordered you to come to him. You have to go Elena. You do not have to bed him, you can refuse that. He may not like it, but you have the choice. Just tell him how you feel Elena. But go to him." Caroline looked terrified. I knew she was right, the king had ordered me to go to his chambers. I could not refuse him.

"Okay, I will go. I have no choice. I will go, and I will tell the King that I will not be his mistress" I looked up at Caroline. She was smiling. "What is so amusing?" I asked her.

"That dress really is lucky! It brought you to the bed of the King!" I could not hold in my laughter at her words. We fell to pieces laughing hysterically on the floor of our room. Just then we heard a knock at the door. Caroline composed herself and opened it.

"My Lord, what are you doing here at this hour?" I looked over towards the door; it was the Duke of Norfolk. I was wondering the same thing. What was he doing here so late? Surely he was not here to suggest Caroline spend the night in his bed.

"Lady Forbes," he started to blush, he was a very handsome man, "I am here to escort Lady Gilbert to the King's chambers" Caroline turned and looked at me.

"The King sent you? I thought he would send my Uncle the Duke of Suffolk surely, or my brother Jeremy Gilbert?" Tyler looked taken aback.

"Your Uncle is the Duke of Suffolk? He is the King's best friend. My God you are well connected Miss Gilbert." I blushed at his words. It was true my Uncle, by marriage to my mother's sister Lady Jenna Sommers, Alaric Saltzman was the best friend to the King, his right hand here at court. They did everything together, or so I was told. I nodded and stood. I looked into the mirror quickly, making sure I looked presentable after mine and Caroline's fit of giggles and headed towards the door. "I am sorry my Lady but I will have to ask you to wear your riding cloak, the King does not wish for anyone to see you so traveling to or from his chambers at such an hour.

"Well maybe his Majesty should think about that before he invites women into his bed when he has a fiancée." I retorted, grabbing my riding cloak out of my trunk and fastening it around my neck. I caught the Duke giving Caroline a grin at my comment out of the corner of my eye. I turned and gave Caroline a hug before leaving the room.

"I will wait up for you Elena, everything will be okay" she returned the hug and then I was off with Lord Lockwood towards the King's chambers. My hands were beginning to sweat as we approached his apartments.

"Lady Gilbert, you wouldn't happen to know if Lady Forbes is being courted by anyone, would you?" I laughed at his attempt at subtlety.

"No my Lord she is not being courted at the moment. Why do ask?" I giggled at his expression. He looked like he had just received a hundred pounds.

"No reason at all my Lady" he gave me another grin and then stopped. "Here we are, the King is in his privy chamber meeting with his Cardinals, you will wait in the presence chamber for him to come out and meet you. Goodnight my Lady," he took a low bow before turning to leave.

"Thank you my Lord" I curtseyed to him as he left the room.

I looked around the room. It was beautiful. The walls were higher than in the other living chambers of the castle. Katherine's apartments dulled in comparison. The lighting was brighter, the paintings and tapestries more colourful. Everything in the room was fit for a king. I made my way over to the window and looked out. The Kings ships were anchored in the harbour below on the Thames. They were beautiful. The moon illuminated the white sales, making the ships look ethereal. Just then the sound of a door opening brought me back to my situation.

"I am sure you can figure something out Elijah, may I remind you that you would not want to disappoint me in this matter." It was the King. He seemed to be in a good mood.

"Your Majesty I will devote all of my energy to this I promise you. Klaus and I will find you a solution." Two men emerged from the room. I could tell from their clothing that they were his Majesty's cardinals. One was tall; he had short brown hair and dark eyes. The other man was shorter; he had blonde hair and lighter eyes. The blonde man left the room without noticing me; however the darker haired man turned and nodded his head, giving me a small smile before leaving the room. Something about that smile made me feel more comfortable.

I turned and readied myself for the King to enter the room. I heard his boots clicking across the wood floor as he made his way towards the door between his privy and presence chambers. I looked to the floor as he entered the room. I heard him pause, and then walk towards me. I curtseyed so extremely low that my knee touched the floor. I waited for him to say something, staying in my curtsey.

He reached out his hand to me to pull me out of my curtsey; I placed my tiny hand in his. The second our fingers touched I felt a jolt of electricity rush through my whole body. My head snapped up and my eyes locked with his. He must have felt it too, for he was looking at me as if I had two heads. I slowly stood, not removing my hand from his.

"My Lady, I beg you tell me your name." His voice made me melt inside. It was so rich and perfect. My head was swimming, I could not form words.

"Elena," I breathed out shakily.

His faced changed from wonder into a warm smile. He turned towards the privy chamber door, not letting go of my hand, "Would you care to move somewhere more private, Elena?" This was it I thought to myself. He was about to ask me to become his mistress, and I wasn't so sure I would be able to tell him no.

Another cliffhanger I know, but I promise the next chapter will be worth it!

Please please please review! They keep me going :)

xo E.S.