1647

France

"Caroline! Hurry and get up. We must look presentable today!... Caroline!" Rebekah screeched. Caroline groaned and placed a pillow over her head. Rebekah had been waking her up, extremely early lately and she was exhausted beyond belief.

"Rebekah… please." Caroline mumbled, raising the pillow for her eyes to adjust to the sunlight. "Caroline, this is so important to me. Alexander will be here soon, and you know I must make a good impression. For me, please."

Caroline could feel Rebekah sit next to her form on the bed, and she turned over on her side and angrily raised the pillow from her head. "Why must I be present? You, yourself should be enough for Mr. Alexander to handle."

Rebekah grinned at Caroline and swatted at her behind. "My dear Caroline, Alexander is bringing his cousin… and I must keep said cousin occupied if I am to entertain Alexander." Caroline furiously threw herself off the bed and glared at Rebekah.

"I knew there was some other hidden agenda! You're such a deceiver. Rebekah, why? Why must I do this?" Caroline pouted and waited for Rebekah to respond. Rebekah kept her head towards the ground, her blonde hair falling over her shoulder.

Caroline suddenly felt pity for her friend, she knew how hard it had been on her for so many years. She had learned in time that Rebekah had always been in love with Stefan, but he did not return her feelings. That's why she had always wanted to peruse other men everywhere they moved.

She knew it was hard for Rebekah to be around Stefan, without actually being with him. Caroline understood the pain Rebekah felt. The agony of getting rid the memory of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed man and a kiss always haunting her mind. "Fine!" She shouted at the blonde woman.

Rebekah's head turned towards her and she stood up and made her way towards her, smiling the whole way. "I knew you would see things from my point of view. Dress in the golden gown, Alexander tells me that Galen likes gold." Rebekah winked at her and moved towards her bedroom door.

Caroline took a deep breath after Rebekah exited the room, and walked to her closet. So many beautiful gowns filled it and she frowned. 'I would have never had these, if I had never met the Mikaelsons." She shook her head and pulled out the beautiful long golden gown.

She touched the pattern of the darker golden ivory branches that trailed down the sides of her dress. She knew that Rebekah was trying to make a good impression, either because she really liked this Alexander or she was using him to make Stefan jealous. 'Probably the latter."

Caroline straightened her chemise, and lifted the gown above her head. She took a dark-red ribbon and tied it perfectly around her middle making the gown show off her hips. Caroline that she had matured since she had been a teenager.

She examined her body in a mirror and noted that her breasts had become fuller, and her hips had widened, and somehow she thickened in certain places. Rebekah had told her that she was one of the most beautiful women that she had ever seen. She figured that coming from Rebekah had meant a lot.

Caroline put the thought aside and began brushing through her long, thick hair. The blonde waves fell down her back and she grabbed them and twisted her fingers in her hair, braiding it down her shoulder. She pinched her cheeks giving herself a rosy glow and smiled at her reflection.

She walked out of her bedroom and made her way down the hall to Bonnie's room. "Bonnie, are you in there?" Caroline whispered through the key hole. She looked around for anyone and then turned the door knob, letting herself in.

The room was empty and Caroline looked around in disappointment. 'She must be downstairs having breakfast with Stefan.' Caroline knew that Rebekah didn't need to eat, and she would grooming herself until Alexander arrived.

She ran down the hallway and the stairs startling a couple of maids passing by. "Excuse me!" Caroline yelled behind her as she glided into the dining hall. She saw Stefan and Bonnie eating porridge and talking between each bite.

"We have to tell Caroline soon, her birthday will be the next full moon. Then the ritual will begin… I just don't know if I can do this Stefan. I love Caroline as if she was my own sister." Caroline realized that had not seen her yet and she lurked back in the dark listening to their conversation.

"I know Bonnie. This spell is going to drain a lot of energy from Lucy and you. I don't want Caroline to be like this… so powerful. I love Caroline, and I want to protect her… but we have our families to think of. Your grams, mother, and sisters. I have my father and Damon. "

Caroline suddenly felt the guilt and shame coming crashing down on her. All this time, she had pitied herself but the others around her were hurting just the same. They didn't want this for her, but was forced by Mikael's hand to do as his wished.

She knew then, that she would do whatever it took for her friends to have their families returned them. Even if that meant becoming the devil herself, she would do it. She pushed back her tears and stepped forward into the room making herself known.

Stefan's dark blonde head raised to meet her and he gave her a soft smile. Bonnie kept her head down as if she didn't want to address her, Caroline noticed. "Good morning, my wonderful companions. How are you both?"

Stefan stood and greeted her placing an affectionate kiss on her cheek as she neared him. Caroline blushed and moved past him, sitting in the chair in front of Bonnie. Her eyes flew to the dark-skinned woman, who still refused to look at her.

Without a word, Bonnie stood grabbing her wooden bowl and made her way towards the kitchen. Caroline watched her, confused as to why Bonnie was being this harsh towards her. "Stefan? Did I-" Stefan grabbed her hand and she stopped in mid-sentence. "Bonnie will be fine. She just needs some time."

Caroline nodded grabbing an apple from Stefan's plate. "I was going to eat that, you know." Caroline grinned at Stefan and took a huge bite from the apple, the juice running down her chin. "Such lady-like manners you have." Stefan teased with a smirk.

Before Caroline could give him a smart answer, Rebekah came bursting in the room. Stefan's chest grumbled in anger at Rebekah's attire. Rebekah had place a corset over her beautiful dark green down, making her bosom almost tumble out and her tightening the gown over her womanly figure.

Caroline was absolutely speechless, the only thing she could do was gape at Rebekah. Rebekah threw a devious grin at Stefan then turned to her. "Caroline, Alexander and his cousin are here. We must greet them! Come along!" Rebekah flashed towards her and took her hand, dragging her behind her.

They reached the outside of the mansion and Rebekah turned to her as her features darkened. "I want this man, Caroline. Please don't ruin it for me." Caroline nodded her head and watched as two men rode up to them on beautiful beasts.

The men both jumped down from their saddles, one with a smile on his face heading towards Rebekah. The other Caroline noticed was simply staring at her. Caroline felt the awkwardness creep upon her as she shifted from one foot to another.

Finally after Rebekah had took her time kissing the man, she turned faced her. "Oh I'm so sorry- Where are my manners?" Caroline wanted to smack that lovely smile off Rebekah's face. "This must be Galen, your cousin?"

The man she presumed to be Alexander nodded his head. "Yes, Galen come say hello to these beautiful women! Before I make both of them mine. Ladies let me introduce my cousin, Lord Galen Vaughn." Caroline felt the need to vomit. She watched as the young man approached her, and then shyly took her hand and placed it upon his wet lips.

Caroline felt disgusted, but before she could snatch her hand away he let go. "My lady, it's truly an honor to meet you." Caroline glared at him hard before hearing Rebekah cough loudly from her side. Caroline coughed in return before forcing one of her most charming smiles, "It's so nice to meet you, Lord Vaughn."

He smiled at her, as Rebekah ushered everyone inside the mansion. "You have lovely home, Lady Rebekah." Rebekah beamed up at Alexander's compliment. "Oh thank you. I do have extravagant taste." Caroline kept her head bowed at the uncomfortableness of Galen staring at her.

He was clearly interested in her, but why she didn't know most men fell upon Rebekah's charm upon meeting her. A guard out of breath running caught her attention as he found Rebekah and bolted towards her. Rebekah stopped in confusion as the guard reached her and placed a letter in her hand. Caroline was intrigued as Rebekah opened the letter, and read it to herself.

When Rebekah's eyes meet hers, Caroline knew exactly whom the letter was from. Rebekah took a deep breath and spoke directly to her, ignoring the men's constant questioning. Rebekah gave her a cruel smile, "Caroline, there is word from my father. He requests us to come home by nightfall tomorrow."