A/N: Special thanks to everyone who faved and/or alerted and/or reviewed. You guys are awesome! You have no idea how much I appreciate your reviews. Also I'm sorry if I have grammar mistakes. A small part of the plot (New Orleans) is borrowed by the American TV show The Originals. Enjoy.

Warning(s): Might contain violence, curse/bad language and sexual content. Also Zero is a girl.

Rated: M.

Notes For this Chapter: a) This Chapter is a flashback and you'll know how Kol knows Zero/Hope.

b) Just to remind you Zero's real name is Hope. So Hope=Zero

c) In the end of this Chapter the quote is said by Claire Holt as Rebekah Mikaelson

Declaimer: Disclaimer: Vampire Knight © Matsuri Hino. I don't own the Vampire Knight. Matsuri Hino does. However I do own my OCs and story.

For the love of a Queen

Chapter 9

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." ― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest.

No one's POV (11 years ago)

"We're entering the town of New Orleans." the driver announced as he was driving.

"Are you sure about this, Master Kol?" the servant asked once again his young master, worrying about his safety.

"Yes, Sebastian!" He snapped at him and the servant shut up.

New Orleans is a picturesque city, popular, contemporary and so lively.

Sebastian sighed and looked out the window. He should know better that make his young master angry; since his parents died he had always been cold and distant to everyone, even to him.

It had been two years since his old master took his own life in order to join his dead wife. Sebastian's mistress had died after giving birth to Kol and although his old master loved his son as Kol was growing up he had lost the will to live.

And now after two years, the ten year-old-boy was finally showing interest in something. Sebastian just simply didn't like his interest. Purebloods were forbidden from New Orleans. It was like a silent rule; everyone knew it but nobody mentioned it.

But Kol wasn't interested in learning about the city because he already knew much more that anyone else.

New Orleans is a major city that was built and founded by the Hayashi Family many centuries ago. It is the location of one of the biggest and most diverse supernatural communities. The Hayashi family was in control of the city until 1918, when they were all forced to flee town when they were found by their own father who was determined to kill them.

It was only six years ago when Ryozo returned to the city with the hope of taking over again and reuniting his family after learning that he had impregnated a young witch, Lydia, which revealed a loophole that Lydia, despite sleeping with a vampire, was able to get pregnant due to her being one of the most powerful witches. However, the family's return had the effect of further aggravating the already major ongoing conflict between the witches, hunters, vampires and werewolves of the city.

The conflict started less than a year prior to the Hayashi's return, when Aaron; the old ruler of the city interrupted The Harvest, a sacrificial ritual that acted to strengthen the bond between the witches in New Orleans and the magical power of their dead ancestors, from whom they drew power. Aaron's intervention resulted in the deaths of the majority of the witches in attendance, including all but one of the coven's Elders. Even though the Hayashi Family struggled to regain control of the city that was once theirs and, in the process, faced off against powerful enemies from their past while they attempt to form alliances with the various human and supernatural factions they won. And it was revealed that the baby hadn't died as the city had been told, instead she was alive and well.

And that was what was Kol curious about; he was interested in the city's diamond; its princess; her.


Flashback

Everything was quiet in the house; Hope was in her room like she'd always be this particularly day, Sheila had gone to London to take care some business and Mihoko was cooking dinner. The doorbell rang and the blond haired vampire stopped what she was doing.

Opening the door was no other than Kaien Cross. Mihoko had met the hunter when he had tried to attack her and newborn Hope and he somehow stack with them. Both her and her niece had grown fond of the weird man, Mihoko and him became friends while he and Hope had a uncle-niece relationship.

When she learnt that Kaien and Lydia used to be classmates and close friends, the beautiful vampire was socked but also happy. Not as happy as Hope of course, the little girl was thrilled when she learnt that her uncle knew her mother.

"What are you doing here Kaien?" She asked, wondering why the hunter had travelled the whole way from Japan.

"You didn't think I would forget, did you? It's Hope's birthday!" Kaien squealed in excitement. "I've bought many thing about her. Hoope~." He shouted dragging the o.

Mihoko's eyes widened and she tried to quite him down "Shhh! Don't shout, come on shit down." She took his arm and dragged him to the kitchen.

"Today's not a good day Kaien."

Kaien frowned, noticing his friend's sad face. "Why? What happened?"

Mihoko crossed her arms "You're right, today is Hope's birthday. This day Hope was born, she was almost killed and her parents were forced to give her up." She shook her head "There's nothing happy to be about. I've tried to make her celebrate it but she always prefers to spend this day alone in her room."

"A child should never hate its birthday."

She nodded "I know."

Meanwhile inside a beautiful room Hope was sitting on her desk while drawing. Her small face was sad as she paused for a moment.

She looked to her right; her aunt had made her a small cake for her as and had given her a beautiful dress as a present. Hope had thanked her and kindly told her to leave her.

As she gazed the candle that was on the cake she couldn't help but wonder what exactly her parents were doing right this moment. She missed them –god she missed them so much that she had started questioning herself how someone could miss someone they had never met.

She sighed and blew the candle.

She lowered her face and said quietly to herself; "Happy Birthday Hope."


"Hope? Hope?" He mother's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Are you alright sweetheart?"

She blinked "Yes, mommy." Lydia smiled; she would never get tired of hearing that word.

"I still think that she should wear pink." Mihoko complained as she finished curling her niece's long hair.

Lydia let out a chuckle and rolled her blue eyes. "Not all of us like pink Mihoko."

Mihoko huffed and left the room. "Whatever."

Lydia turned her attention back to her daughter. "Let me see you." She took her little hand and twirled her. Hope laughed a little.

"You look amazing honey." The blue eyed woman told to her little girl.

"Thanks mommy but why do we have to do this?" She really preferred the way they had spend her birthday last year; at home on their own, just like a family.

Lydia smiled softly to her daughter and knelt in front of her. "I know you don't like this Hope but the city is so excited about this. You wouldn't want to let them down would you?"

"I guess not." She said hesitantly .

Lydia smiled once again and took Hope's small hand. "Good. Let's go."


Drinks were being served on the ballroom, and when he came out through the Italian doors there were more than two or three small groups already laughing and glowing. You could tell that everyone was having fun, and like the roses and begonias they seemed to take and hold the richly filtered evening light. Mihoko was talking to a somehow familiar man; Ryozo knew from his smiles and guffaws that she was being recklessly agreeable. everyone was here, having fun and celebrating the princess's birthday. Hope had met many people during the celebration and was now dancing with Kai. Ryozo took a flute of champagne from a dark-eyed young waiter, and strolled off.

As he took a sip of his drink, he saw his wife walking towards him.

"Are you having fun my King?" Lydia asked him in playful tone.

He glanced across the room at Mihoko who was now dancing with the man she had been talking to before his eyes drifted back down the room to Lydia, who was smiling at him. "Why yes my Queen. " He answered back with a smirk.

Touching his arm softly she suggested "Care to dance?"

Ryozo nodded and took his wife's hand. Pulling her close to him he leaned down to her ear and whispered. "I love you."

Lydia kissed him softly. If someone had told her decades ago that she would end up turning into a vampire and marry one while giving birth to the most beautiful baby in the world, she would probably have laughed her ass of and probable hit them in the head.

"I love you too."


Meanwhile Hope had taken a break from her uncle and had gone to get some fresh air.

Looking at the night sky she sighed in happiness, tonight wasn't as bad as she had thought.

A noise in the corner of the balcony caught her attention. "Who's there?"

Stepping out of the shadows was a young boy; he had dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Em who are you?" She asked hesitantly.

Kol looked up and froze. He didn't expect to meet the princess and he sure as hell didn't expect her to be so pretty. He blushed at his own thoughts.

Hope looked at him with curiosity. "Where are your parents?" She asked as she looked around.

"They're not here!" He said quickly. "I mean they felt insecure about this and-"

"It's okay." she cut him off. "I understand it."

After a moment of silent, Kol spoke, not wanting to create awkwardness.

"So do I get the honor to dance with the Princess?" He offered his hand.

Hope giggled and Kol immediately loved the sound. What's wrong with me?

"Why yes of course my prince." She told him with fake-old manners and accepted his hand.

As they went back inside they took a step forward and bowed. Kol placed his hand on Hope's back while she placed her hand on his shoulder and they started dancing in a perfect rhythm. There was a sort of harshness to him, like he was someone who shouldn't be underestimated. Hope didn't quite care at that moment. Was it because she had started to care about a boy she hardly knew?

Meanwhile Kol had the same thoughts. What drove him in New Orleans was pure curiosity but what made him to dance with the princess was just his heart.

For the first time after two years, he felt alive.

For the first time after a long time he felt good.


Ryozo was still dancing with Lydia when familiar laughter caught his attention. Looking up, he saw his daughter dancing with a boy.

"What the-" Where's Kai? Why would he let my little daughter with a stranger?

"Ryo?" Lydia stopped dancing as she saw that his attention was somewhere else.

"Who's that?"

"I don't know." She answered him honestly. "But he's cute huh?"

Ryozo looked back at his wife in astonishment "Our daughter is too young to have a suitor Lydia."

Lydia rolled her eyes "Come on Ryo! She's a kid and so is he. I'm sure they'll be fine." She waved her hand and tried to distract him.

For a moment Ryozo caught Kol's eyes and held it for two or three second, giving him a silent warning.


As they continued dancing, Hope glanced around and saw that everyone's attention was on them. "Everyone is looking at us."

He squeezed her hand slightly and smiled. "Really." he chuckled softly, "I haven't notice."

Hope blushed "I still don't know your name."

He laughed a little upon hearing her remark "I'm Kol."

"My name is Hope." He leaned closer

"And what a lovely name that is."

Hope shuttered nervously "T-thank you."

They continued like that until the song ended, the audiences' applause filled their ears. As Kol took a step back and told her goodbye Hope couldn't help but smile at him. In that very hour she wondered when she was going to see him again.


"Did you have fun?" Mihoko asked as her niece was waiting impatiently for her father.

"Ah ha. It wasn't so bad."

Mihoko hummed "I saw you dancing with a boy, hmm?"

Hope blushed, feeling warm at the thought of the young boy. "His name is Kol."

Mihoko smiled at the little girl. "Is it now?"

"Aunt!" the silver haired princess whined feeling even more embarrassed.

Biting her lower lip, Hope tried to change the subject. "Where daddy?"

She shrugged, "I think he's in a meeting."

Hope frowned, after the ball she didn't expect her father to be busy, but then again he was a king and he had things to take care of. Not that it would stop Hope from getting what she wanted.


"Where is he?!"

Hope's small legs ran as quick as they could, her sparkling blue slippers, bought as a present by her aunt Mihoko, making a sound each time they hit the ground. Lavender eyes searching for who she wanted.

The army vampires stepped aside, reaching out to balance the six year old when she almost fell. If she fell over and skinned her knee, their lives would end tragically at the hands of each Old One along with Lydia and Sheila.

Hope smiled at the familiar vampires she passed, the thought of them being dangerous never crossed her mind; they would never dare to even look at her wrong let alone hurt her otherwise her family would cause hell if they did.

She let out a tired yawn but fought the sleep. "Where is he? It's our story time."

She clutched the book closer to her chest, stopping in front of a random vampire who was lounging on the balcony, looking down at his friend who were shipping on their glasses of warm blood. He sighed and glanced at the young girl.

"Have you seen him?"

He leaned down, eyeing the book in her arms, "Who are you talking about, kiddo?"

"Daddy, of course; It's his turn to read me our story, but he hasn't come yet."

He smiled softly at her, now down at her eye level with the six year old. He silver hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail and she pouted, her lilac eyes wide as she looked at him. She looked exactly like her mother, but her eyes belonged to Ryozo. When she was upset; they would darkened, but when she was happy, they would sparkle.

"What book you got there?" He tried to look but she shook her head defiantly, clutching the book to her chest protectively.

She sent him a look, mirroring Ryozo when he gave order, "Nu-uh! Only family reads this, it's our book, not yours!"

"Please accept my apologies, I didn't know that." Bowing down to a six year old… could this get more embarrassing?

She accepted his apoly and smiled, "I forgive you. Now, can you take me to daddy? I can' t find momma or Uncle Kai and Aunt Mihoko is busy in her room."

Without waiting for an answer she grabbed his hand and began to drag him forward. He sighed once more, knowing that there wasn't any point of talking her out. She had take the stubbornness from both her parents.

He led her toward the room that Ryozo had his meetings in it was in the end of the corridor of the second floor. He could hear the powerful vampire demanding order and he knew he wasn't going to be welcome.

He really didn't want to led her in the room but he would have his head ripped off if he would go against Hope's whishes. She was the princess, and whatever she wanted, she got, that was the first rule of the rules.

"Daddy is in there, I know it. Open the door please, I can't reach it. It's too high."

He cleared his throat and asked, "Are you sure you want to go in there? I thing Ry- your daddy is busy."

"Yes, I want our story now open it!"

He jumped slightly, for such a young girl, she could be demanding, but he knew that it ran in their family. He nodded before knocking firmly the wooden door.

When he opened it, the yelling came at them full force, and she saw her father standing up, Kai at the one side and Lydia at the other sitting down.

"…if I hear someone drinking from the locals without their permission, something that is against the rules of my city, I will personally rip out th-"

A childish giggle made Ryozo cut himself off, he knew that sound and it suddenly made all the anger in his body disappear. Everyone at the table turned their head and looked at the young girl, standing by the door, hugging her story book to her chest. Beside her was one of the vampires, starring at his feet as he tried to get away from Ryozo's glare. Hope nudged him, not noticing the glare that her father was sending to the vampire, and giggled once more.

Hope skipped over to her father and jumped In the air, knowing that he would catch her.

His eyes softened as her small finger gripped his shirt, burying her face into his neck as she showed him their story book. "What are you doing out of bed, baby vampire?"

She blushed at his nickname for her and pointed at her book Mihoko and her had made years ago before she returned home. Mihoko had done the writing, insisting that it had to be perfect while Hope did the drawing, being the artist like her father is. It was a story about a king and his precious princess that he had to fight the monster who was trying to take her away. He – along with his Queen, defeated all the monsters that wanted to keep them apart and in the end they managed to save their castle from the ruthless beast.

Hope's little finger run over the front of their book. "You were late daddy."

"Oh, you're right. I'm sorry, princess."

"I don't blame you, daddy. It's not your fault; I blame them for breaking the rules." She said with a small frown and Lydia smiled, not hiding the fact that she was proud that her daughter spoke so freely, her attitude mirrored her mother's at time.

He chuckled at her, kissing the top of her head. Kai smiled a little but quickly stopped himself, not wanting the others to think that they could join in their family moments. Hope knew that there were rules that people had to follow if they wanted to remain in New Orleans; she had heard it being spoken whenever her father took her to look around the city, which he said would be hers when she was old enough.

"Does this look like a bloody public display?"

They shook their head, dumbfounded, and Ryozo sneered at them. "I thought so. Kai I think it's best if you take over for the rest of the night. I've got an important matter to attend to."

Kai nodded and stood up. "Of course, Ryozo. No problem."

Kai watched proudly as his brother carried his niece out of the room, igoring the vampire on his way. Hope smiled at them and waved happily. They grinned lovingly at her, Lydia melting as she heard Hope's laughter once more.

Kai stood up, getting the meeting back on track like before, the casual atmosphere turned to thick tension as the vampires were once more on the verge of punishment for breaking the rules. "Now…. where were we gentleman?"


Ryozo smiled down at his daughter as they made their way down to the hallway, she was turning like her mother; always running round where she wasn't supposed to.. His name still made his enemies shudder. He was the king and she was the princess which meant she deserved respect even at such a young age.

He turned a corner which led to her bedroom. "Here we go, sweetheart."

Ryozo placed her on the bed and tucked her in, before he slumped into the rocking chair that he usually sat on when he or someone else read to her. Hope pulled her duvet closer as she watched her father with a childish gleam in her eyes.

"You have to read it twice."

Ryozo took the book from her with a playful smirk on his lips. "How so, princess?"

"Because you were late, please daddy?"

He opened the book as his daughter lay down on her side, staring at him as he began to read. "Once upon a time, there was a majestic king…"


Time-Skip

One Year Later

One year had passed since Kol had met the beautiful, charming princess and Sebastian had never seen his young master so happy before. Every evening both children would meet to what they call their "secret place". The king and his brother weren't exactly happy for it, fearing that their princess would grow up too quickly meanwhile Lydia and Mihoko were simply amused.

It was in the middle of September when Kol returned to their house they had rented in New Orleans upset.

"Is there something that bothers you master?"

The house was cold, everything was quiet. A dark aura surrounded them and the servant could hear the rain from inside. What had upset him so much to manipulate even the weather? Unless…

"They know." He simply said and Sebastian understood. He expected after all, the king was smart and suspicious, of course he would search about the background of the boy his daughter was spending her time with.

"Will they come after you?" He was already surprised they hadn't killed him.

"No we made a deal." He told him with a blank expression. "They will let us go as long as I erase her memory of me and leave town." He closed his eyes, "I did it Sebastian, I erased the memory of the only person who truly loved me, my only friend."

Sebastian tried to comfort the young boy, "I'm sure it will be alright master."

Kol nodded, suddenly feeling a new air of confidence, "You're right. I will see her again."

Sebastian raised one eyebrow "Master?"

"Prepare your stuff. We're leaving in 10 minutes." Kol told him and Sebastian quickly went to do as he was told.

Kol looked out the window, the weather becoming even colder. He had let her in, the price of curiosity; she was now and would always be part of him. She's unforgettable and irreplaceable, Kol knows that she will haunt him until the day he dies. But even though things took a different turn of what he expected he doesn't regret it. Love and friendship aren't things to be regretted. They are to be cherished until they're gone.

"We're here."

Hope opened her eyes after Kol had told her to keep them close because he wanted to show her something. Before her eyes was a meadow so beautiful and peaceful. The green grass stood high and proud, dancing along with the strong wind; n the midst of it were different colored flowers sprouting here and there, decorating the whole place just by their existence. "I found it once when I was exploring the woods."

Hope watched in awe and smiled, "It's beautiful."

Kol smiled and headed over to the bush of white roses he picked one carefully off its stem. Heading over to where she stood, he tucked the flower above her left ear. "Yeah, beautiful."

Hope blushed "Would you like to play tag with me?"

Kol smirked "It'd be my pleasure."

"I think you should start running."

Hope's eyes widened and she let out a squealed as she started running.

"I believe we're ready." Sebastian's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Leaving the house, he didn't bother locking it since there wasn't anything valuable.

"Where will we go sir?" The driver asked him.

Since Kol didn't answer, Sebastian told him to just drive until he says to stop.

The Pureblood lay back to the sit trying to relax in vain.

Her giggles filled the summer air. The sun shoned brightly down upon them and although he didn't like the sun he would tolerate it for her.

"Where are we going?!"

Hope giggled as Kol tried to catch up with her, her arms spread out as the air hit her face, the feeling of freedom making her smile a bright smile, "Everywhere!"

He would miss playing tag and hide and seek with her, never had he felt so playful, so free.

He would miss talking with her, being with her.

She was light, happiness, freedom; everything that he wasn't.

He had always felt like a true murderer; after all, his mother died because of him. And then when his father died he felt like he wasn't worth it. Of course all these stopped when he met Hope.

"You're supposed to catch me!" Hope protested as she realized that her friend wasn't running fast enough on purpose.

Kol laughed a genuine laugh and spread his arm open as if the answer should be obvious. "But If I caught you then our game would be over."

He should have known better; Purebloods are meant to be alone.

But he wouldn't give up. Everyone else be damned, he would see her again.

"I look at you and I see an angel."

"Well, I would say the same to you but you look more like a prince."

Even, if she wasn't in New Orleans anymore.

Even with all the memories of him lost.

Even, if she was a completely different person.

He wouldn't give up on her.

He would search the entire earth till he finds her

"Kol, promise me that you'll be friend forever"

"I promise."

"We are the strongest creatures in the world and yet we are damaged beyond repair. We live without hope, but we will never die. We are the definition of "cursed," always and forever."


A/N: Isn't little Hope/Zero just adorable? So you finally learnt about Kol. What do you think?

In the Next Chapter

Kol looked at her in shock.

"I remember everything. Everything you forced me to forget." She glared at him with fire in her eyes. He would learn why you should never piss off a princess.

xLonelyDreamerx