Part 20

Klaus pressed his lips together when he walked away, he certainly wouldn't have wanted to run into Nadine. He needed to stay as far away from her as he could. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her more than he already had. Thankfully she had seemed to be feeling better. He sighed and tried not to think about her. Surely she would be fine; she was a strong girl who didn't need a savior. Not that he was anyone's savior.

"Niklaus," Elijah's voice suddenly said, he didn't sound very pleased.

"Yes?" Klaus muttered and turned to look at him.

Elijah's expression was harsh.

"I just heard some very unpleasant rumors," he stated.

Klaus frowned.

"And?"

"About you and some servant girl. Out in public. What did you think you were doing?"

"Nothing," Klaus replied tensely. "It was an accident…"

"An accident?" Elijah repeated coolly. "Once again I remind you that it was you who wanted us to come here, not me. Do you have any idea how hard I have worked in order for us to blend in? And you almost "accidently" ruined all my work. Not even Kol is foolish enough to chase servants in public."

"It wasn't like that…"

"I don't care. Just make sure it won't happen again, if you still want to stay here."

Klaus gritted his teeth when his brother marched away. It was easy for Elijah to talk when his self-control was almost as good as Finn's. Klaus had always envied them both for it. He didn't enjoy being a monster and he hadn't asked to become one. Not that it mattered, he was what he was. He had killed his own mother. How could he ever deserve forgiveness after that?

Once again he thought about Nadine. Her mother had been killed in front of her. She would be nothing but disgusted if she would know what he had done. He sighed and headed to the chapel, just like yesterday and the day before that. He really wasn't sure what he was doing. The chapel was just as quiet as always, he sat down and looked at the altar.

He didn't have to wait for long when the Lady Aurora arrived. She smiled at him sweetly when he greeted her. They both kneeled when she prayed; once again she also wanted to pray for him. She was a sweet young woman whose beauty was undeniably incomparable. Everything about her said that she needed to be protected, like a delicate flower she was. Klaus did find her more than attractive and he couldn't deny that he enjoyed her company, but… No, there was nothing more to it. The best thing he could do for Nadine was to leave her alone.

Finn had always been a man of few words; he rarely spoke unless he really had something to say. He enjoyed silence, he always had. That didn't mean he wouldn't have craved for some company for every now and then. He did feel lonely sometimes and the company of his siblings didn't really help. He missed his sweet, kindhearted Etta, the love of his life. She had been a modest, hardworking young woman who hadn't spoken much. Yet the silence between them had never been uncomfortable, they had simply enjoyed each other's presence.

That was Finn was hoping to find again, companionship. He watched from a distance when Nadine followed her master across the hallway. She reminded Finn of Etta more ways than one. Maybe he was a fool, but he had played with the idea for days. Was there a chance that she would want to come with him when he would leave? All he hoped for was companionship and maybe in time some affection.

He found her company very pleasant and he could offer her his protection. The problem was that he had no idea how to approach her with this. Back home a proper courtship had entailed petitioning the girl's father or her closest male relative for the right to be considered a potential suitor. Nadine's closest male relative was her brother. Finn doubted that he would agree to this, not after seeing what Finn and his siblings were. Of course Finn had his own doubts as well, how could a monster like him deserve companionship?

No, he didn't think that he deserved it, but that didn't mean he wouldn't have hoped for it. This girl deserved something better than a life of a servant. It was true that Finn barely knew her, but there was something about her that appealed to him. Some nasty little voice in the back of his head said that he was simply trying to replace Etta. Maybe he was, but was that really so wrong? He would look after the girl, be loyal to her and treat her nothing but respectfully, just like a companion deserved to be treated. That was if he would eventually find the courage to approach her brother. And if Nadine herself would accept his offer. He doubted that she would, but surely he could ask.

Tristan had to struggle to keep his face callous. Unfortunately he wasn't ready to deal with the Lord Niklaus yet. Soon he would be. No one hurt his puppet without some severe consequences. She was walking behind him; her presence helped him think clearer. It took a moment before he understood why. He wasn't daydreaming about her. That was a relief. And quite interesting. He hadn't dreamt of her when she had slept in his bed… He had almost forgotten that.

Was that really all it took for him to have a goodnight sleep? He could really use that, he hadn't slept well in days. What bothered him the most was that he couldn't understand his own thoughts and feelings. That wasn't good at all. Why was this happening? How had she managed to do this to him? He didn't have answers to those questions; all he knew was that he needed to deal with this. She followed him outside; he led her to his private garden. The chairs and the table were ready under the sunshade, just like he had ordered. There were grapes, apples, bread, cheese and wine on the table.

"Take a seat, puppet," he said when they reached the sunshade.

She looked very confused, but obviously she obeyed. He sat down as well and waved his hand towards the table.

"Go ahead, take whatever you want."

She looked at him like she would have suspected that he had lost his mind. Well, he probably had.

"I thought some fresh air would do you good," he stated. "Help you recover sooner."

She still looked confused, but she nodded cautiously.

"Have you liked the room?"

She nodded.

"That's good… And your brother is well, I trust?"

She nodded. He was quiet for a moment before continuing.

"And you? Are you well, puppet?"

Once again she nodded.

"Good, good… Have some wine."

She stood up, poured wine into the goblet and handed it to him.

"No, I meant for you to have the wine."

There it was again, had he lost his mind look. This wasn't going well at all.

"Just drink it and enjoy it," he muttered tensely. "And have something to eat too."

Cautiously she sat down and took a sip out of the goblet.

"So…" he continued after an awkward silence. "How is the wine?"

She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

"You like it?"

Another nod.

"It is one of my favorites too. What else do you like, puppet?"

She looked up, once again confused by his question.

"What kind of things do you enjoy?" he clarified, keeping his voice free from emotion.

She stared at him disbelievingly.

"I am simply trying to make conversation," he stated. "What kinds of things do you enjoy?"

She hesitated for a moment before pointing at the sun.

"Sunlight? Alright, what else?"

She pointed at the rosebush.

"Flowers? What else?"

She pointed at the food on the table.

"Ah, I see."

She certainly enjoyed modest things. He could give her so much more. For a moment he imagined what she would look like wearing a silk gown and a jewel necklace. She could be his little jewel. That was definitely what he wanted. He wanted her to be happy and feel safe with him. That sounded strange, he had never felt something like this. Was he…? No, definitely not. He wasn't in love with her, how could he be? The more probable explanation was that he was indeed losing his mind.