Elena

It wasn't long until Bonnie and I had to depart our separate ways. She to the harem. I to the king. I fear the most of any intentions the king thinks of. But now I have more than two goals, without accomplishing either one of them it will the end of me. I must do this one night right. Just this one night..for now.

I changed into a simple black dress that had no embroidering or lace sewn on it, and covered myself over a dark velvet cape. I gathered my hair to one side and braided it loosely as possible and covered my head with the hood. When I reached inside the palace, Saltzman spotted me. He went over me and signaled the guards who were behind him to follow.

"Who are you?"

I lowered my head down for my shadow to darken my face. "It is me, Saltzman. Gilbert."

"I heard that you returned home."

"I just came back."

"What is the reason?"

"...It is a private matter. Please send me to the king."

He sighed and nodded to the guards behind him. Two guards took both my arms. The smell of their flesh and fresh sweat droplets made my mouth water. I had to shake myself awake to get a hold of myself. "I'm afraid that is not possible. The king has just retired to his studies. Return when the king calls you again. Good night, Lady Gilbert. Guards send her away."

The two guards turned me around and escorted me away. Saltzman stood there, with his head held high as the image of me grew smaller and smaller. As we reached out of the gate, the two guards released me and one of them pushed my back hard. I landed on my knees as the two of them laughed. I pulled myself up and brushed the soot off me.

With my head still unseen within its shadow, I reached into my pocket and took out the necklace I bought from the gypsy.

Bonnie held on to my hand once we left Mystic Falls. We passed by houses to houses, there is still another mile to go.

"Elena, can he see us?"

I took a quick look behind my shoulder. The man Klaus ordered was just behind us, but he kept his distance from us, clenching tightly on the handle of his sword that hung on his belt. "Yes, he's still here. Terribly frightened by us."

"Good. He better be. Because there is something I must tell you."

"What is it?"

"First, give me the necklace."

I opened my fist, still holding on to the necklace so tightly. She took it from my hands, rubbing the silver amulet gently between her fingertips. Her eyes were closed as she meditated for a moment. After a long while, she finally opened her eyes. "What a great wonder?"

"What's wrong? What did you see?"

"Some useful information you should be aware of before entering the palace."

"What is it? Tell me, Bonnie."

"Elena, this necklace belonged to Klaus' sister. I'm not very sure of her name..I think it is Rebekah. My vision shown enough, but it went by so fast I couldn't quite catch on. Anyway, Rebekah and Stefan happen to be very much in love in the past. But when her family were involved of the previous king's death, their relationship fallen apart and she died with this necklace on. Stefan gave this necklace to her, they were planning to elope before his father's death."

"So how is owning this help me?"

"This necklace will draw Stefan forward. You need both the Salvatores, Elena. You already caught the king's attention. Now owning this jewelry will lead you to the next brother." She took my hand and planted the necklace in my palms and folded my fingers together. "Promise me you'll keep this safe."

"I promise."

"And when the prince sees the necklace, remember just this line: 'A rose is not always gentle, but its deadly thorns scar the skin until a drop of blood streams down as a reminder of its beauty'."

"Why must I remember that?"

"Believe me, my friend, it will come to good use very soon when you approach the prince."

I took a long look at the necklace laid out on my palms. "A rose is not always gentle, but its deadly thorns scar the skin until a drop of blood streams down as a reminder of its beauty. I hope you're right on this one, Bonnie. This is my last chance."

I waited outside in the cold foggy evening, until just as I expected, Saltzman came back and escorted me inside. This time he did not speak a word. We stopped at a single door, perfectly carved in gold paint and a heavenly white. He opened it and lightly pushed me in. Once I got inside, he shut the door and I almost jumped when I heard the sound of him locking the door with a key from the other side. The king was seated at his grand high chair by his wide table, laid out with rolled up maps and handwritten papers. He continued to write a few things down on a paper, his feather pen brushing his chin as he wrote.

I stood there by the door, waiting for him to summon me.

"Come closer."

I took a few steps forward and stopped.

"I thought you went home. It must have been a long journey for you to come back all the way over here."

"I didn't go home, your majesty. I left to stop by my family's grave. Its been years since I last visited them."

"I'm so sorry about that." He scribbled something down so fast and quickly got off the chair. He came closer to me and yanked off my cloak. It fell straight down on the floor. I just stood there, looking straight ahead.

"What a depressing outfit you wear? You didn't think of wearing something with some more color for your king?"

"Forgive me, sire. But it is shameful for me to wear anything so bright or happy on the day of my family's death."

His body was closer to me from behind. His hands touched my waist and pressed them smoothly against the smooth fabric. "What a daughter you are? First working here to be merry with drunk men, but now tonight you are a sweet innocent nun. Who are you right now, Lady Gilbert?" His breath blew against my neck as his face was now pressing closer. I still remained calm.

"Who do you want me to be tonight, your majesty?"

"I want you to be Lady Elena Gilbert, my mistress."

"Your mistress? Why a mistress? I am available if you want some entertainment, there is no need to give me another label."

"No. You are not a court woman. Nor are you a whore. No you are none of those things when you are with me...Right now, you are my mistress. My precious mistress that I promise you will be our little secret."

"Should I be leaping to joy that you chose me? Or should I be concerned?"

"Both my love."

"My love. Please, you majesty stop this at once." I took his arms and pulled them off me. "Since I came as you wish, I wish to retire."

He faced me and grinned. "I didn't expect you to say this. Why refuse my offer?"

"It is not an offer. It is a demand. And to be quite frank, sire, I am already hated by everyone enough, I don't wish for that hatred to grow any further."

He took my wrists and pulled me closer to him until my body was hooked against him. "You're right it is a demand. So why bother refusing to do so."

His lips were almost touching mine, but I still kept my cool. "Because I don't want to, just yet."

"Then when is the perfect time."

"Time makes that moment. But obviously, right now isn't it. Now please excuse me. I am too tired to stand anymore. If I don't go to sleep now, I think I'll faint."

His grin still remained curved on his lips. "Try to keep it together. Because this will require more than just standing up." He crushed his lips against mine and instantly devoured my mouth.

I expected for this to happen. But not so soon. This isn't part of the plan. I tried to push him away to talk to him again, but he just crushed me even closer. I forced my eyes to open as his lips widen mine and allowed his breath to enter. After a few more struggles, he released my wrists and started to unbutton the back of my dress. This time I managed to free my lips from his.

He chuckled softly and just ripped open the back of the dress. I sighed in annoyance and tried to fix it. But he stopped me. "Too many buttons."

"There is patience involved wearing these dresses every day, such as there is time for you to wait patiently until I am ready to be your mistress."

"Why think about it when you are willing to accept?"

"You never know if I change my mind."

"You know for once do as I say tonight...Just simple silence." His lips returned to mine and this time he made sure to grab on to me with greater strength.

~ The two of us laid on the skinned bear rug, beside the roaring fire. Clothes were tossed in every corner, and shoes tossed clumsily. My ripped dress was pulled down to the waist and covered in the king's white ruffled shirt. The king's arm was beneath my head as a pillow and my loose curled hair draping his arm completely. He pulled me closer and rubbed my bare naked arms with his hand.

"I now have a sudden guess that you accept my order."

"No. Not yet, your majesty."

He kissed the center of my nose and rested his forehead against mine. "If that is the case, then I believe this evening must go a lot longer."

I pushed myself up and slipped off his shirt. I made sure I was facing him from the back so he won't be able to see...Although he just had a few hours ago. I slipped my arms in the torn sleeves and tried to wear the pitiful dress as best as I can. While I was buttoning up the dress with only a few buttons that were still sewn on, the king took my hands volunteered to do it himself. He gave a few kissed on my bare back once he finished securing all the buttons to the top. I crawled for my shoes and slipped them on.

"Come again to me at dawn."

I stood up to my feet and draped the cloak around me. "It is dawn. And I can't promise you for sure that I'll come."

He went up on his feet, and tied a towel around his waist. He took my hand and escorted me to the door. I opened it and waited for a few seconds as the king embrace me for another kiss. And then after another intimate moment, I left the room and went out of the palace.

The first plan is down. The king is now in. The next is Stefan. Until his turn comes, they both will be mine.

Please review and tell me what you think. And I sincerely apologize for ever thinking of giving up on this story. And also thank you for encouraging me, honestly you guys rock. Any hoo enjoy!