Part 10

Klaus was lost in his thoughts when he walked across the long hallway towards the garden. As far as he knew, Elijah, Rebekah and Finn were already there along with the rest of the court. They were all enjoying the lovely summer day. He wasn't sure about Kol who had been fast asleep when Klaus had dropped by his chamber an hour ago. Kol's poor servant girl had timidly informed that her master had asked not to be disturbed although it was almost midday already. No doubt Kol had been out all night again.

Klaus sighed; he needed to talk to Elijah and Finn about this. Not that he actually thought that they would be able to control Kol, but they could at least try to talk some sense in him. Klaus loved his little brother, he really did, but sometimes he felt that he couldn't recognize Kol anymore. Sure Kol had always had a temper and he had often got into fights when they had still been humans, but he had also had a good heart deep down. What had changed that so completely?

It couldn't be just becoming a monster; Finn for example had barely changed at all. Well, perhaps he had become even more judgmental than before because he could control himself better than the rest of them. But Kol… He had never talked about losing his magic, but Klaus imagined that it had affected him a lot. And losing Henrik… Klaus felt a sting in his heart when he thought about poor Henrik. Kol and Henrik had always been very close; their baby brother had idolized Kol and often followed him around. Unfortunately Henrik had followed Klaus that faithful night…

Klaus didn't think that he would ever be able to forgive himself for that. Well, his list of unforgivable sins was long. Too long. He didn't deserve any forgiveness. He passed a window and noticed Rebekah in the garden. She was talking to Lady Aurora. Klaus stopped and looked at the two women, especially the redhead. She was absolutely a gorgeous woman, he couldn't deny that. They had chatted for a brief moment this morning and as far as he could tell she seemed quite sweet and innocent woman who had clearly lived very sheltered life. A delicate flower… He was so concentrated on looking at her that he didn't notice someone approaching him before this person had almost past him.

"Nadine!"

She was carrying two buckets of water, she seemed reluctant to stop, but she still did and curtsied rigidly.

"Here, let me help you…" he started automatically, but she took a step back and shook her head, keeping her eyes on the floor.

"Oh come on, what kind of a man would I be if I wouldn't help a lady?"

The buckets were clearly heavy, but she didn't give up, she just curtsied again and tried to get past him.

"It's just the two of us, no need for that," he tried and stepped in front of her. "Give me the buckets."

She shook her head.

"Please?"

She shook her head again. He really wasn't sure why he was so determined to help her, she just looked so tired and…what, fragile? That was probably the best word he could think of to describe it.

"Alright, let's do this your way then. I'm a lord and I order you to give me those buckets."

She looked up and stared at him disbelievingly.

"That's right, you heard me," he stated firmly. "Now hand them over."

Tensely she took a quick look around.

"It's alright," he assured, using a much softer tone. "Please just let me help you, I'll make sure you won't get into any kind of trouble, I give you my word."

She hesitated, but finally she obeyed, although reluctantly. Despite of his vampire's strength, he couldn't help but to startle a little when he lifted the buckets up.

"Oh my, these are heavy," he murmured. "How can a little thing like you carry these?"

She shrugged and for a moment he could have sworn that she looked almost amused.

"Alright, lead the way, my lady," he said.

She walked a few steps ahead of him; he could easily tell how tense she was. Would she be somehow punished for this if someone would see them? No, he wasn't going to let that to happen. Fortunately they didn't run into anyone before reaching the door to Tristan's chamber. Nadine turned around and motioned him to give the buckets back. He was just about to do that when he picked up a familiar scent inside the chamber. His eyes narrowed and he pushed the door open in a fraction of a second. Kol was casually sitting in an armchair.

"Kol!" Klaus snarled. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing," Kol replied innocently. "I was hoping to have a word with our host."

"In his private chamber?"

"Yes, I didn't think he would mind… Oh, hello there darling," he added smirking and stood up when Nadine came in after Klaus and quickly closed the door. She looked even tenser than before and motioned them both to leave. Kol tilted his head, his smirk grew even wider.

"Oh dear… Can you hear that, Nik?"

Klaus was just about to snap at him when he indeed heard it. Several footsteps approaching the door. One of them was most definitely Lord Tristan.

"Well, let's make this more fun, shall we?" Kol purred.

Klaus didn't have time to do anything when Kol zoomed in front of Nadine, grabbed her and jumped in Tristan's bed with her. She panicked completely and tried to desperately get up; her nails were leaving bloody marks on his face.

"Aren't you a little wildcat," he chuckled.

"Kol!" Klaus snapped, the footsteps were getting closer.

"I was kidding," Kol snorted. "Doesn't anyone have any sense of humor…"

Klaus grabbed his arm and pulled him under the bed with him, Nadine managed to stand up a second before the door opened. Tristan didn't enter the chamber right away; he was giving orders to few men, apparently soldiers, who were standing in the hallway. Fortunately that gave Nadine enough time to tidy up the bed. She was standing next to the bed when Tristan closed the door and noticed her.

"Good, you're here, puppet," he said. "What are you doing?"

She curtsied and pointed that the two buckets.

"Ah. Well, cleaning will have to wait; I have a more important task for you. Come here."

Klaus couldn't believe that he was actually in this kind of situation, hiding under the bed with Kol. This was nothing but ridiculous. All he could see was Nadine's legs when she walked over to Tristan.

"I had a special gift made for Lady Giselle," Tristan said. "I want you to try it on so I can see how it looks."

If Klaus had understood correctly, Lady Giselle was Tristan's mistress. A very beautiful woman and quite arrogant, according to the rumors.

"Undress, puppet, and try this on. What? No, you don't look dirty to me. But of course you can bathe first if you want since you brought the water…"

"Move," Kol whispered in Klaus's ear. "I can't see anything."

"Shut up or I swear I'll snap your neck," Klaus whispered back.

"No need to be shy, puppet," Tristan said. "You are just serving your master and you will be rewarded for it. I have told you I can be a merciful master if you earn that."

Klaus gritted his teeth when Nadine's dress dropped on the floor.

"That looks very good," Tristan said after a moment of silence. "I believe Lady Giselle will love this. Now spin around and let your hair down. Very good, puppet, very good… How does the fabric feel? It should be the finest silk there is. Nod if it feels good."

"It certainly looks good," Kol whispered. "She's quite a beauty this little servant."

"Shut up," Klaus whispered tensely, he had kept his eyes away from Nadine. None of this was in any way right.

"Now lay down on the bed," Tristan said. "I want to see how it looks there."

Nadine didn't move.

"Don't make me ask again, puppet. This is a special night for me and…and Lady Ge…Giselle, I'm warning you not to ruin it."

Damn it… Klaus felt that he needed to do something, but what? Apparently Kol guessed what he was thinking; he took a hold of Klaus' arm and shook his head.

"Wait," Kol whispered.

They both saw Nadine's legs when she climbed into bed and lied down. Klaus could easily hear her heart; it was pounding like a drum. Tristan approached the bed slowly and stared at Nadine.

"That's very good," he murmured. "Very good…"

A knock on the door interrupted him, he didn't have time to say anything when the door opened and Aurora stormed in.

"Tristan!" she started eagerly before she noticed Nadine. "Oh… I'm so sorry, brother, I didn't know…"

"That's alright," Tristan replied. "What is it, sister?"

"I… Father would like to see you."

"Alright, I will be right there."

Aurora smiled at her brother and glanced at Nadine before walking out.

"Stay here until I return, puppet," Tristan said to Nadine after Aurora had left, his voice sounded careless. Nadine got up as soon as Tristan had marched out and moved as far away from the bed as she could. Klaus waited for a moment before getting out from under the bed, followed by Kol.

"Well, that was…" Kol started, but Klaus gave him a warning look. Nadine was standing in front of the fireplace with her back turned. Her arms were crossed; she looked tense to say the least. She was wearing a beautiful creamy undergarment and her long dark hair was down.

"Nadine?" Klaus said cautiously.

She didn't turn to look at him, she just pointed at the door.

"Listen, Nadine…"

She clenched her fists and turned around; all he saw in her eyes was anger. She pointed at the door again.

"I can't just leave you here…"

She marched over to him and shoved him, again pointing at the door.

"Nik, Nik," Kol said. "I think we should respect the lady's wishes. Unless you want to spend the rest of the day under the bed."

Klaus tried to say something, but Nadine shoved him again, making it more than clear than she really wanted him to leave. Her face was callous, but he could understand how humiliating the whole situation must be to her.

"If he hurts you…"

Nadine shook her head and crossed her arms.

"Let's go, Nik," Kol said. "I doubt that we help her if her master finds us here."

Klaus gritted his teeth, but he had to admit that Kol was right.

"Nadine, if there's anything I can do…"

She shook her head.

"Don't you worry, darling," Kol said casually when he and Klaus headed to the door. "I have no doubt that all your problems will disappeared one day. If that is what you want."