Chapter 20

Reputation

"Harlot…"

"She is sleeping with both of them…"

"That is disgusting…"

The maids seemed to love to talk about me. They didn't bother to hide the fact that they were repulsed by me. Normally I wouldn't have cared but even Jane was looking at me differently now. She was polite to me but the things weren't the same anymore. It made me sad. I have always liked her and considered her as my friend. I didn't have many of those. Actually, I had none, except Elijah.

I had never really understood before how important reputation, or honor, was. Apparently I had lost mine. I was a harlot. I heard someone saying that when Klaus and Elijah would get bored they would throw me to the gutter where I belonged. No man would ever want to marry me. I was filthy. Well, they could think what ever they wanted. Still I couldn't deny that it hurt me. But I wasn't going to complain. People were cruel, I had always known that.

I was feeling a little down so I wanted to take a walk in the garden. The problem was that I could only do that if either Klaus or Elijah would have time to come with me. I was allowed to move inside the castle with at least two of Klaus' vampire lackeys, who always stayed a few steps behind me, but I wasn't allowed to go out with them. Besides, it was day, so they couldn't go out anyway. When I came out from my room, I saw two vampires standing in the hallway in front of my door.

"Lady Annabelle", the other one greeted me smiling.

They kept their distance but they were always staring at me. It made me uncomfortable. They didn't ask where I was going; they just followed me like shadows. I hoped I could find Klaus or Elijah in the library. They weren't there but I thought I might as well stay. Maybe reading would make me feel better, although it was kind of distracting when two vampires were watching my every move. I sat on the armchair and tried to ignore them. I noticed that the other one was staring at my breasts and licking his lips. Charming. I didn't feel like reading anymore. I was just about to leave when Klaus walked in. Thankfully he told the other two vampires to leave.

"How are you, sweetheart?" he asked smiling.

I tried to smile too but I didn't really feel like it.

"What's the matter?"

I shrugged. Then I remembered that I could ask him to come to the garden with me. I started to sign that to him before I remembered that he couldn't understand. He looked at me closely.

"You want me to what?" he asked.

I was surprised that he had understood me. Garden. That one he didn't understand so I took his hand and led him outside.

"You want to take a walk in the garden?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Yes, of course."

I was still holding his hand but when I saw how people were looking at us I quickly let go. I felt ashamed. I couldn't really understand why. I didn't think that I was doing anything wrong. Yes, I had slept alternately in Klaus' and Elijah's chamber for the last two weeks but that was their wish, not mine. Not that it mattered; to everyone else I was just a harlot. I sighed.

"Annabelle, what is wrong?" Klaus asked.

I shook my head. I was being ridiculous. Why would I care about words? They didn't physically hurt me. So why did I feel like this? It was so…human. How strange. Even after all these years, I never thought myself as a human. But I still had all these confusing feelings. Thankfully I didn't have to answer his question when I saw Elijah walking towards us.

"We have a guest", he said.

"Who?" Klaus asked immediately.

"Lord William."

Klaus certainly didn't seem happy about it.

"What is he doing here?"

"Perhaps we should find out", Elijah replied calmly.

I followed them to the smaller hall where Lord William was already sitting drinking some wine. He stood up when he saw us coming.

"My lords", he greeted them. He took a quick look of me but he didn't say anything.

"Lord William", Elijah said. "What brings you here?"

"Well…" he started. "There is something I need to say and I wanted to do it personally."

He paused before he continued.

"I am afraid I must withdraw my marriage offer."

"I see", Elijah said calmly.

Lord William turned to look at me. I didn't like his look at all.

"But I would like the lady to be my…guest for a while. You will be generously compensated, of course."

Elijah looked stunned.

"Excuse me?" he asked coldly.

Lord William was smiling.

"I am sure you understand what I mean."

"How dare you, this is my ward you are talking about."

I could saw that Elijah was trying very hard to control himself. Lord William laughed.

"Oh, I heard she is a little more than that."

"Yes, you are right", Klaus said. I had forgotten that he was there too. He was smiling charmingly.

"Lady Annabelle is my fiancée."

What? We were all staring at him.

"Did you just offend her honor?" he asked still smiling.

Lord William looked stunned.

"Your fiancée? I must have been wrongfully informed. I apologize."

Klaus took a step closer to him.

"And may I ask who informed you?"

Lord William cleared his throat.

"There are rumors…" he murmured.

"Well, would you be so kind and tell anyone who spreads these rumors to be prepared for a duel. I will not let anyone to offend my lady's honor."

"Yes, of course. I…I apologize."

He murmured something about being in a hurry and left. There was a moment of silence.

"Niklaus…" Elijah started.

"What?" he asked. "It was either that or ripping his heart out. You should be thanking me."

"You do realize than now everyone will think that you are going to marry Annabelle?"

Klaus smirked.

"Then I shall marry her."

"You can not be serious."

"Why not? It is a good solution to everyone."

I looked at both of them when they started to argue. Apparently they were just getting started so I stepped between them.

"Perhaps you should ask her first", Elijah said coldly.

"She has no reason to decline", Klaus replied with the same tone.

Was that his idea of proposal? I scowled him and shook my head. He looked annoyed.

"Can you not see how convenient this is?"

Convenient? Did he just say that? I turned around and walked away.

"Do not even start", I heard him saying to Elijah.

I felt depressed. Stupid human feelings. I never truly realized before how hard it was to be a human woman. Either I was a harlot or I was convenient. I sighed. Hopefully I would find a third option.