Then

Giselle

The beasts Lucien and I found were rather kind to me, besides the youngest man, Kol. He was a bit of a coquet. He also had a nasty temper, which he showed when he threatened to rip my love's arm from his body.

I glanced at Lucien, noticing him gazing lovingly at me from across the room. I couldn't help the smile that took over my face.

Then I felt an eerie feeling rush over me, as if someone was watching me.

It was the Lord Tristan, smirking at me.

Quickly, I ducked my head, hoping he hadn't noticed Lucien and me. Who knows what he would've done to us.

The garden was always our meeting place. It was where Lucien first professed his love for me.

It was already evening and everyone else had already gone to bed. He took me in his arms and told me how he'd always felt that way about me, even when were young and I had thought he had feelings for Lady Aurora. A small smile came to me at the memory. After that night, we always met here, sometimes during the day when he felt the need to risk it and see me. Sometimes, he would meet me where I pray as well, knowing no one would disturb us.

The reason we fear exposure, of course, is because of Tristan.

He didn't approve of relationships between servants, something that didn't always bother him. However, I remember once I started to grow older, he enacted a new rule stating it was punishable by 20 lashings.

While I was cleaning out some of the flower beds, Lord Tristan appeared with a book, sitting in the grass under a tree. Right by me.

I could feel him watching me, and I wanted nothing more than to hide from him. Hopefully Lucien doesn't come right now.

"My Lord?"

As much as I enjoyed the sight of him, I've told him he has to be careful!

"What is it now?" Tristan's icy tone caused me to flinch.

Lucien explained it was the Count who wanted Tristan's presence. I let out a soft sigh of relief, hoping none had heard it.

Lucien left first before Tristan followed after him. A moment after Tristan had gone, he came back with excitement written on his face.

"Perhaps now I may see my beautiful Giselle," he asked, holding out his arms.

I didn't hesitate to run to him.

"Niklaus, how long have you felt for her?"

He, after Elijah and Finn, was who I spent my time with. He had fallen for the Lady Aurora, however, being a beast of the night hindered him from being with her.

"I believe it was the day you and Lucien brought my family here," he said wistfully. He had his head in my lap and I was brushing his hair for him. He wouldn't admit it but I think he and Kol enjoy when I coddle them like children.

I told him an old saying my mother told me once, and he didn't particularly enjoy needing to let Aurora go.

"Would you?" he says suddenly, "Let Lucien go, that is."

I stopped my movements for a moment, thinking before I responded.

"I would if necessary. I imagine if Lucien were here instead, he would say the same."

He is dead.

Lucien.

Skewered through his back by one of the guards when he attempted to end Tristan's life.

You fool!

Why would you leave me here alone, knowing that Tristan would be under the guards protection?

"Please, my love, come back to me," I whispered to the wind.

"Giselle, come." The voice caught me by surprise. I hadn't realized I had wandered near Tristan's quarters. Cautiously, I wiped my eyes and entered his room. He was laying on his bed, his chest bare, and he was looking at me with a gaze I had never seen from him before. But I had seen it from Lucien.

"My Lord."

Please, Tristan. Please. If you have any humanity inside you, do not make me do what I think you are about to ask me to do.

"Lay by me tonight."

I could feel my tears return at the thought of betraying Lucien. I had no choice, though; he could have me killed as well. Lucien wouldn't have wanted that.

And so, I followed Tristan's orders and laid by him, softly weeping for Lucien.

"My Lords, my Lady," I said softly to catch their attention.

Elijah was the first to wrap me in his arms, "What did he do to you, Giselle? I heard his guards speaking about him inviting you into his chambers last night."

I placed my hands on his arms and stared into his eyes, "He did nothing. I come asking a favor to the five of you."

Kol leaned back, watching me, "And what shall you do for us in return?"

"Be quiet, Kol," Finn snapped at him, "Anything...you may ask anything of us and it shall be done."

Rebekah looked at me knowingly before I could say anything, "You're leaving, aren't you?"

She and I grew very close while I was teaching her how to become a lady. She was a sweet girl, which wasn't seen by many due to her distance to humans.

I nodded, "I must, my friends."

Niklaus looked at me, torn, "Your favor?"

"Look after my child."

When I was a bit younger, I was married for a brief time to a loving man, Jon Labonair. We had a child together, but he was killed by Count de Martel's men. I was taken in the night and forced to become a servant, while my daughter, Lillian, was given away. I had told them of this story a bit after Lucien and I brought them here. I knew not of her whereabouts, but I have no doubt they will be able to find her.

"Done," Niklaus told me as he stared back into my eyes, "but where shall you go?"

"I'm not sure yet, but it will be away from here," I looked at the garden one last time.

"Come with us, then," he said in a rush, "We will be leaving as well, and there is something else you must know-"

I hugged him tightly, cutting him off. "I cannot, my friend. I can't bring myself to hold you all back during your travels."

Without another word, I kissed each of their cheeks before departing for my chambers.

"Darling?"

Not you. Anyone but you.

I turned to see Tristan, rage coming off me in waves, "What is this?"

"I am leaving Tristan," I spat out his name. He could hurt me no longer, "No more will I have to suffer you presence."

"W-What? H-How could you say that, my love?"

I knew that mad man had fallen for me. I could tell by the look he gave me the other night.

I was not his love, I was Lucien's love; only he deserved it.

"Your love? I do not love you, Tristan de Martel. The only man I have ever loved is now dead, and it is your fault." I stared him down, "You are my captor, Tristan, and now I am freeing myself."

There was something in his eyes that changed. Something that told me I had spoken too much. I tried to go past him, but he caught me in his arms.

"Then allow me to help you, ma columbe libéré," he whispered to me as I screamed, hoping Elijah, or even Kol, would come to save me.

But they didn't.

The next thing I knew, I was on the ground below, dying.

Tears rolled down Elijah's face as he stared at his one true friend's broken and bleeding corpse. Lillian would not stop crying in his arms.

"We must go now brother," Finn said, appearing behind him. "We were too late."

They had heard her screams in the night and knew something was amiss.

Bending down, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead and left with his family.

He would have turned her had she not been so impatient.

Now

"Okay, well I'll be back in a few hours, Corrine." Camille said as she was walking out the door.

"Got it, sis, I'll see you later."

Laying on the couch, I thought back to the guy I had bumped into at the airport. He was a really hot guy, to say the least. He had short brown hair and devilish hazel eyes when he looked at me. I practically swooned at the sight of him. He gave me his number and said to call him. I looked at the paper and smiled before doing just that.

He answered on the first ring, as if expecting me, "Well well, if it isn't Miss Corrine O'Connell. I thought you would call a bit sooner."

I smirked, "My apologies, Mr. Castle. How about I make it up to you? Rousseau's? Half an hour?"

I could tell he was smirking as well, "Ooh, demanding. I like it. I will see you then."

...

Lucien leaned back in his chair after he hung up with his lost love's doppelgänger.

She has returned to him once more, and he will not allow her to die again.

...

On my way out the building, I was stopped by a man, who was rather handsome, almost as much as Lucien.

"Forgive my rudeness, but I couldn't allow such a beautiful young lady to go by without knowing how lovely she looked."

I blushed at the compliment as he extended a rose to me, "Please, allow me to introduce myself."

I took it gently as he continued to speak, "I'm Tristan."