Hi, lovelies! No your eyes are not deceiving you. I am finally back with un update after over a year and first and foremost I would like to apologize. To be honest, I was going to delete this fanfic, but decided to look over it and here I am! This chapter is longer than the others, so I hope it makes up for the time I abandoned this fanfic (maybe a little?) Enjoy!
The first time an assassination attempt was made upon the king's third son, he was standing in the garden. Night had fallen and there were no stars and some of the moon.
As he stood there and looked around, he noted that he was alone and for the first time in three weeks he felt like he could breathe.
After all, when Caroline left him he found that he could barely do anything. It seemed that sulking and drinking to excess has become his favorite pastime.
With a sigh, he put his palms together and placed them behind his back. Walking the perimeter of the garden, he noted that some of the blossoms were growing and smiled. Though the climate in Egypt was very hot, they seemed to be getting more rainfall as of late...
Lost in thought, he didn't hear the sound of footsteps behind him. The only reason why he was able to sidestep was because he heard a shout from behind him.
"My prince, watch out!" One of the servants cried out from the window.
Immediately, Klaus heeded the servant's advice, but when he turned the perpetrator was gone.
As confusion seeped through his whole being, he wondered what it is that had occurred.
Making his way back into the palace, he was greeted by the servant who had yelled for him.
"Whatever happened?" He questioned as his eyebrows furrowed.
"My prince, I was looking out the window when I spotted a figure moving in your direction. At first I thought perhaps it was one of your brother's, but then I saw something silver."
"Silver? As in a sword?" He asked, the shock evident in his voice.
"Yes," he nodded. "I called out for you hoping that you would hear me. Fortunately, you did."
"Thank you, good man. Did you see any of the characteristics about the man who attempted what he did?"
"I did not, my prince. All I saw was a guard's uniform, but facial features and stature were indistinguishable."
"Very well," he nodded. "Thank you, but I wish for you to keep this situation to yourself? I do not wish to alarm anybody."
"Of course," the older man agreed.
Nodding, Klaus outstretched his hand for the servant to take and he did somewhat hesitantly.
Reassuring the servant with a smile, the two men shook hands before the prince excused the other man.
As he made his way up the stairs and into his bedchamber, he found himself wondering who it is that wished to see harm come upon him. After all, the individual wasn't very intelligent if he thought he would get away with it unscathed.
Nevertheless, at the moment there was absolutely nothing that he could do about it. However, he now understood that he had to be more alert of his surroundings. Not wanting to come off as a weakling, Klaus decided to keep the matter to himself.
With that thought in mind, he removed his clothing and reached for his night robe.
Laying down upon his bed, he shut his eyes. Everywhere he smelled, he could smell the distinguished aroma that made Caroline who she was. There was a mix of lavender as well as some other scent he couldn't quite pinpoint. Lemon? Citrus?
With those thoughts in mind, he fell asleep and dreamt of better days. Ones that involved Caroline wearing his band around her finger…
The next morning as Klaus made his rounds around the place where the Israelites worked, he spotted hair the color of spun gold.
Moving in the girl's direction, he was just about to reach for her, but then she turned around. Though the girl shared the same hair as his Caroline, she wasn't the one that plagued his every thought and dream.
With a sigh, he took a couple of steps back. Looking around, he spotted one of Caroline's older brothers and made his way over to him.
Once he stood before him, Klaus cleared his throat and waited for the man to respond.
Forest green eyes met his own stormy blue-gray eyes and he nodded in greeting.
"Your majesty," the Israelite acknowledged before he looked down at the shovel that he held in his hands.
"I wish to know where your sister is, man." Klaus announced as he held his head high.
He felt the eyes of both the slaves and the guards upon his back, but he did not care. He didn't care what it is that they thought of him. If he wanted to find out where Caroline was, he damn well would.
"My sister is not your concern, your majesty. I mean no disrespect, but in this matter I stand. Leave Caroline alone. She's suffered enough as it is, we all did."
"Do you know who it is that you are speaking to, man? Must I remind you that I hold your life in my hands?"
"Do with me what you will. My father died by your people's hands as did countless others. At this point, all I care about is keeping Caroline away from the likes of you."
"If I wish to find your sister, I will. Without your bloody help!"
"Then do that." Stefan shrugged before he turned his back on his majesty.
Fuming, Klaus's hands clenched into fists and though he wanted to lash out, he wouldn't. This was Caroline's brother and he'd be damned if he gave her another reason to hate him.
With that thought in mind, he walked away from her older brother and made his way back into the palace. However, he never spotted his blonde angel. Though he worried, he refused to show it. Surely, he would know if something has happened with her… He would be the first to know, dammit!
Caroline sat with her mother that night as they waited for Stefan and Damon's return. Looking over at her mother under her eyelashes, Caroline felt a tugging in her chest.
She knew for certain that her mother was upset over the news they found out today… However, Caroline could not bring herself to regret her time with Klaus. No matter the words and barbs they threw at one another.
Though she had left him, she would continue to cherish her moments alone with him. The man was an enigma, but that enigma would be best left alone. Especially during this time and place…
She was brought out of her reverie when she spotted her brother Damon carrying an unconscious and bloodied Stefan into their home. Immediately, both mother and daughter moved and made space for him on the table.
"What happened?" Liz cried out hysterically as she held onto her son's hand.
"I was looking for Stefan and when I found him, he was like this. I don't know what happened." Damon told them as his sharp blue eyes began to water.
Caroline smoothed her brother's light brown hair back and reached for rags as she carefully began to dab on his wounds.
"Stefan?" Liz said as she tried to keep her voice steady but to no avail.
"Mama," he croaked out.
Quickly, Damon reached for the jug of water and placed it to his brother's lips.
Stefan drank the water greedily, but the other three said nothing. It didn't matter that the jug was nearly empty and wouldn't be refilled until the next evening… All that mattered was making Stefan feel better.
When Stefan pushed the jug away, he tried to sit up, but groaned as he moved his bloodied knuckles to his hopefully bruised and not broken ribs.
"What happened, child?" Liz questioned as she stroked her son's eyebrow.
"I do not know." He replied. "At one moment I was making my way to Damon's side of the field-" he started, but stopped when he coughed. Wincing, he fisted his hands into knuckles. "and the next I was being pummeled by half a dozen guards." He finished with a wheeze.
"Oh dear," Liz cried out. "Can this day get any worse?" She said aloud, not knowing that she did so.
Caroline looked over at her mother and knew that she spoke of her condition. A condition that would bring shame to their family. After all, a slave pregnant with her master's bastard was unacceptable and would be shunned by slaves and royalty alike...
"Any worse?" Damon asked, the confusion evident in his voice. "Mama, what has happened?"
Shutting her eyes, Caroline waited for her mother to notify her brothers of their impending uncle hood. When she didn't, the younger of the two women sighed in relief. She wasn't ready to tell her brothers and have them look upon her like the whore they secretly thought she was.
Forcing the hard lump from her throat, Caroline focused on Stefan and tried to make him as comfortable as possible.
"Shall I call for the doctor?" She questioned, thinking of the slave with a doctorate education.
After all, though the royal family treated them like slaves, they made sure there was a doctor or two present amongst them. Though there were many slaves that lost their lives early on, there were the sick that healed with a doctor's advice and recommendations.
"No," Stefan shook his head. "I will be fine with a night's rest and good as new on the morrow."
"Stefan," Caroline started to argue.
"I just want to sleep." He told her, stopping her with his words- his tone was filled with exhaustion.
"Okay, but first you must tell us why you were attacked." Caroline urged.
"It may have had to do with how I reacted earlier today…" He confessed.
"How did you react?" Caroline questioned, already dreading his answer.
"Prince Niklaus approached me and he asked after you, Care. I basically told him that you were not his concern and he may or may not have threatened me."
"Oh my," the blonde replied as she put her palm to her mouth, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.
Turning away from her family members, she moved to step outside, but Damon got in her way.
"Where do you think you're going?" He asked as his eyes narrowed into slits.
"I am going to find him and give him a piece of mind. He has no right to threaten my family members!"
"I hate to break it to you, Carey, but he does. We are under his family's control and it would be best if you left things as they were."
Though Caroline wanted to argue, she slowly nodded instead. She would see him soon enough and when she did- oh, he'd regret it!
That night, Caroline lay awake even though it was many hours past midnight. Though she tried to shut her eyes and fall into oblivion, her thoughts kept her awake. She didn't fancy knowing that Klaus would go so low as to threaten her older brother.
Yes, they were all under his family's control, but that didn't give him the right to threaten and then send out his minions to show Stefan who was in charge.
With a sigh, she slowly stood up from the cot that she shared with her mother and made her way outside.
The blonde knew that she was acting carelessly, but she needed some fresh air and to speak to him. Perhaps he would listen to her when she asked him to stop threatening her siblings. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.
With that thought in mind, she moved in the direction of the palace, but stopped when she heard footsteps coming towards her.
Looking around, she saw no place where she could hide. Swallowing the lump that was beginning to form in her throat, she decided that she was going to face whoever it was.
Inhaling a deep breath, she lifted her eyes and stared straight ahead.
"Caroline?" A voice that she remembered so well asked, the disbelief evident.
"Klaus," she responded, exhaling the breath that she had been holding.
"What are you doing out in the middle of the night? You should be at your home."
"I needed some fresh air and had to speak to you." The blonde stated.
"It couldn't wait until the morning?" He questioned l, the confusion evident in his voice.
"No," she simply said. "Now let me tell you what it is I wanted to say."
"By all means," he urged as he motioned for her to speak.
Gritting her teeth, Caroline focused on the words coming out of her mouth.
"You had absolutely no right to threaten my brother. I get it, your family is in charge here. Nevertheless, the rest of us are still people and should have some type of freedom. Since your father obviously won't allow my people to go, I'm asking you nicely to refrain from threatening them. Also, there was no reason why you had to send out your guards to show Stefan a lesson. He's bloodied and bruised because of them and I honestly don't even know how he'll work tomorrow."
"I'm sorry, but did you just say your brother was beaten?"
"I did," she nodded. "Do us both a favor and don't act as though you didn't know."
"I didn't," he immediately responded. "I'm not denying that I spoke to your brother, but he should have shown some respect."
"Respect? Respect is something that has to be earned, not given freely." She argued. "You may not understand that, but it is the truth. While you live in luxury, people are dying and working themselves into an early grave. Children are losing their lives early on and families are being torn asunder because you people don't understand the meaning of compassion and empathy."
"I showed you compassion, Caroline. I sheltered you and would have continued to do so, but you left. You have absolutely no right to make me out to be the bad guy. You did this to yourself and your people are suffering because of what your ancestors did. Blame me if you wish, but know that I will not stand for it. Know your place, slave." He emphasized.
"My ancestors and my people have suffered enough! And if you wish to label me as a slave then you may do so. However, just know that I will fight until the very end. At the end of the day, my people will come out the victors. Perhaps I won't be here when that occurs, but it will. Mark my words." She told him just as she turned on her heel and moved away from him, unable to look at the man he had become.
"You visited the doctor today, Caroline." He told her and she stopped dead in her tracks. "Why?" He questioned, waiting for her response.
Earlier, Caroline thought of telling him of her condition, but after what happened to Stefan and his vulgar words, she didn't want him to know.
"A cold," she shrugged. "I'm feeling better." She lied easily, refusing to admit to him the real reason why she had visited the doctor.
"A child," he corrected. "You carry my child in your womb. Don't even think about lying, sweetheart. The man told me everything."
"The child is not yours." She bit out angrily.
"If I didn't know you for the innocent that you are- were, I would have believed you. But I do know you. You carry my child and I'll be damned if I allow anything to happen to him."
"Or her," she whispered.
With a nod, he approached her slowly and when he stood before her, he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"You're my responsibility now, whether you like it or not… I won't be letting you out of my sight."
"I won't be your prisoner." She told him immediately.
"Perhaps," he responded. "But you're stuck with me, sweetheart. You'll be moving back into the palace."
"No," she shook her head.
"You will," he assured. "Unless of course you want an accident to befall one of your brothers."
"You are heartless." She cried out as her eyes began to fill with tears.
"I've been told," he nodded. "Good night." He added before he gave her a soft shove in the direction of the small cottages.
There you have it! So, I think it is safe to assume that I will be updating more frequently (hopefully!) So, yes Klaus is acting like an asshole of the first order, but all in good time, sweethearts :)
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~Hana :p