Part 4

Nadine bit her bottom lip when they finally arrived at the castle; she hoped that everything would go well. She couldn't have cared less what the beasts would do to all the "noblemen", but she was worried about Lucien. Clearly the beasts had never been in a place like this, they were all looking around curiously when the carriage passed the gatehouse. A young stable boy called Florent appeared next to the carriage immediately when they arrived at the courtyard, he probably knew how important these guests were.

"My lords, my lady," he said and bowed respectfully.

The beasts seemed unsure of how to react.

"Hello," Rebekah greeted the boy, she sounded a bit nervous. Florent could barely hide his astonishment, noblemen and noblewomen didn't speak to low servants unless they were giving them orders. Lucien had explained that to the beasts, but apparently Rebekah had forgotten. Quickly Lucien jumped to the ground and offered his hand to Rebekah.

"My lady."

Nadine stayed in the carriage when Lucien assisted Rebekah. Her brothers got out as well; Niklaus offered his hand to Nadine. That was another mistake, a big one, noblemen certainly didn't assist servants.

"My lord," Lucien said tensely, Florent was staring at them. "May I escort you to his grace?"

Niklaus frowned and glanced at Lucien.

"Where I come from, we respect women," he responded without lowering his hand. Calmly he turned his eyes back to Nadine. "Please."

Nadine was confused, no one except Lucien had ever done this for her, but she obeyed as quickly as she could. The last thing she wanted was to draw any more attention to them. From the corner of her eye she noticed that Kol was grinning and Elijah seemed tense to say the least. Finn on the other hand was looking at Niklaus approvingly.

"Well said, brother," he stated.

Nadine kept her eyes down when Niklaus took her hand and helped her to the ground. Servants didn't look noblemen in the eye without their order. She curtsied as humbly as she could and bowed her head. He was about to say something, but Lucien managed to speak first.

"This way, my lords, my lady," he said as calmly as he could. Nadine could easily tell how nervous her poor brother was and she was willing to do whatever she had to in order to help him.

"Nadine?" Florent whispered when she was about to follow Lucien and the beasts, they were already on their way to the entrance. "Be careful."

She looked at him and saw the concern in his eyes. It surprised her, although he had always been polite to her. There was no need to ask what he meant; he feared that these guests were planning to take certain liberties with her. That happened sometimes and the unfortunate servant girls simply had to take it. Nadine hadn't experienced something like that, at least not yet. As unpleasant as it was for her to admit it, she probably needed to thank Lord Tristan for that. Being his personal servant did have some perks. Everyone knew how cruel and unforgiving his nature was, he didn't share his property with anyone.

Nadine touched Florent's arm and gave him a nod, wanting to somehow thank him for his concern. He didn't have a chance to say anything else when she hurried inside. Lucien was leading the beasts slowly across the grand hallway; they were looking around in wonder. The castle truly was luxurious, but Nadine hadn't really paid much attention to that when she had been brought here. She hadn't paid much attention to anything, she had been too traumatized. She startled when Kol was suddenly standing in front of her.

"Your suitor?" he asked casually, apparently referring to Florent.

She stared at him for a brief moment before quickly looking down.

"No need to be shy, darling," he hummed. "It doesn't suit you anyway. And I think we are quite acquainted with one another already. You know, my tongue being in your mouth and all."

She clenched her fists and forced herself to hold still when he leaned towards her, she had to fight against her urge to kick him between the legs.

"What do you think, how hospitable your master is?" he asked. "I am going to need a servant while I am here."

For the first time in a long time Nadine almost smiled. If he thought that Count de Martel would simply hand her over to him, he was about to be very disappointed. The thought made her feel malicious; for once she was actually happy for being Tristan's servant. Count de Martel didn't deny anything from his precious son. She suppressed her spiteful smile and humbly curtsied. He didn't have time to continue when Finn's voice called for him.

"Kol!"

"We shall continue this later," he stated and smiled. "Perhaps tonight."

In his dreams. She glanced at him coolly and curtsied again. Bastard. She wasn't afraid of him or anything he could do to her and that was probably the reason why he seemed to be so drawn to her. Men like him, cruel sadistic men, were all alike; she had met plenty of them. Granted, he wasn't really a man, he was some kind of demon or something, but that didn't really make him any different than all those other men. He probably saw her as some kind of amusement, something he could play with until he would get bored. That certainly sounded familiar. She followed him when he joined his siblings; they were just about to enter the throne room.

"Everything is going to go well," Lucien muttered. Nadine wasn't sure if he was talking more to himself or to the beasts. "Just…speak as we practiced."

As usual, the throne room was full of people and Count de Martel was sitting on his throne, greeting his guests and subjects.

"There," Lucien said and cocked his head towards the throne. "That's Count de Martel. You will address him as your grace, all the other nobles my lord. When you speak to the count, you should speak of hunting; he loves his hawks and his hounds. And…" Lucien paused and swallowed before looking at Rebekah. "If I may suggest, bow deep, Lady Rebekah, the count also appreciates a healthy cleavage."

"Who wouldn't?" Kol muttered and glanced at Nadine. She was more than glad that she was wearing a modest servant's dress.

Rebekah's eyes widened, but she nodded rigidly.

"Right… I understand."

"Rebekah, you do not have to…" Elijah started tensely.

"It's fine," she cut in. "I can do this."

Despite of everything, Nadine felt sympathy for her. Sure many women had to go through much worse, but it was still degrading, especially if she really came from a place where women were treated respectfully. Somehow Nadine couldn't imagine that something like that was even possible, instinctively she glanced at Niklaus. He and Finn were both looking up, admiring the tall walls and the ceiling.

"For heaven's sake, stop looking up," Lucien said tensely when some people started to notice their unusual behavior. They obeyed immediately, trying to remember their roles. Lucien led them towards the throne, but Nadine was stopped by a servant called Laurent. He was few years older than Nadine and most definitely higher in the servant hierarchy. He also served Lord Tristan and he was usually nothing but rude and malevolent, Nadine didn't particularly like him.

"Lord Tristan wants you in his chamber," he whispered. "Right now. And I should warn you, he is not pleased. I believe you are in trouble."