Chapter Two- sorry it's a little short:( my writing software is playing up. Anywhoo, reviews very much loved! x Nicc

I went out for a ride later that day on my chocolate horse, Coco.

The countryside was bright and colourful as I cantered by, my emerald dress shimmering behind me in the wind. I spied the ocean through the trees, watching it crash onto the beach, but then Coco whinnied loudly and reared backwards, making me scream in shock, then fall off with a crash onto the earthy ground.

I lay there, feeling the ground below me shudder as Coco ran away, whatever had scared her had to be nearby. Probably a snake nearby again. Such a skittish horse at times.

"Miss La Roche? Are you ok?"

Now I sat up and heard more cantering as another horse appeared, a midnight coloured one that I did not recognize. But I recognized the rider, for he slid down of the horse and helped me to my feet.

"Thank you." I gasped, rubbing my back where my whalebone corset had grazed my side. It hurt immensely and my right leg felt damaged.

Klaus now frowned and asked. "Are you ok?" I nodded, my pride too large to ever admit that I was hurt, but he sighed and just picked me up, making me scream in shock as he put me on his horse. He was... strong. Strong enough to lift me up like that anyway.

"You're bleeding, so don't try to deny it." he said with a little smirk, then pulled himself back up and glanced at me, waiting for me to grab a hold of him. I growled and put my arms around his waist tightly, letting him take us back to the chateau where he helped me down, and my leg promptly went.

I ignored his little smirk as he picked me up into his arms and carried me inside. He placed me on the sofa, then told me. "Stay here. I'll go get you something for it."

He left now and I sighed, looking down at my dress that was ripped a little and covered in mud. My hair was just ruined, and my corset was fractured along the edges.

Klaus returned now, then handed me a glass of red liquid that I looked aprehensively at. He chuckled. "Trust me, it will heal up your ailments."

I took it and stared into its ruby depths. "What is it?" I asked and he just said. "A remedy."

"Obviously. What kind?"

"A red one."

Now I cocked my head. "Are you mocking me, sir?"

Klaus grinned. "If you don't drink it, maybe so."

I met his eyes and neither of us looked away. Neither had the inclination to.

Now I was forced to break it as I drank the mixtture, coughing at its coppery taste. "What is that-?" I grimanced, giving the empty glass back to him.

"Just a cure." he said, and as he spoke, I looked at my hand where I had cut it- it was healing as I watched. My eyes widened. "Are you some sort of witch?"

"A witch?" Klaus chuckled. "No, I'm most certainly not a witch." then there were footsteps and Father appeared in the doorway, then frowned at me and Klaus alone together.

"She has not been badgering you, I trust?" he asked Klaus, walking up to him. Klaus shook his head. "No, but she did experiance a rather nasty fall from her horse."

Father, no matter how much I annoyed and ashamed him, looked at me and asked. "Do you require a doctor?"

I shook my head. "No, Niklaus here was very quick in finding me a remedy."

Now Fathers eyes flashed, then Klaus announced he was going for a stroll and left without another word.

-FORSAKEN-

Later that very day, my mother announced that we were to attend a masquerade ball with the Baroness De Faroe. Great (!)

"I do not wish to attend." I told her defiantly, and she sighed. "Her brother is a very wealthy cousin of the Prince. A very su-"

"I do not wish to marry some... snob!"

Mother scowled now. "We are tiring of your efforts on this matter now. Do not make us force you, because we will if we have to."

"Then I will run away."

Now Mother sighed. "Claudia, you break our hearts. Truly you do."

I just walked away, not inclined to listen anymore.

Now I went down to the lake and sat down before it, throwing a stone into it in rage, both hearing and seeing the splash as my own tears fell from my eyes.

It wasn't fair. Why did I have to be... made to do this-? It was torture for me, not for my parents.

There were footsteps now, then someone sat down beside me.

"Go away." I just said blankly, and Klaus chuckled. "But I see a damsel in distress."

"You do not."

He sighed and simply said. "You... dissaprove of your fathers plans?"

"Yes, I do." I said and he chuckled. "Frederick has always, ah, been too grand in his ideas."

I didn't speak, then sighed and said. "Why are you here, Niklaus? Surely the tidings of an insolent young woman bore you? Why should you be interested?"

Klaus looked thoughtful, then- "I always had a soft spot for pretty French girls."

"A pretty French girl? Is that all you see me as?" I now asked with a slight growl. Klaus frowned. "You are mad at me?"

"Yes I am." I snapped, getting up and turning away, but he grabbed my arm and said. "Will you be attending the ball tonight?"

"No."

"I shall see you there then, Miss Claudia La Roche."

I walked off without looking back once- such an infuriating young man that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Damn Klaus. Damn everything about him.

-FORSAKEN-

I sat on the velvet stool as my servants curled my hair into tight ringlets, twisting it up into an elegant style, adding the jewels to its soft folds. Mother had gotten me a bright silver gown to wear for the ball with a beautiful butterfly designed mask. There were also soft wings added to the back of my dress that made me look like an angel, apparently.

Who cared? I didn't, but it was like a Venus flytrap- lure in the men with my beauty and charms.

This ball was going to be...

Interesting for sure...