WOODVALE
Chapter 1
Synopsis: when an arranged marriage seals her future, Katherine first thoughts are that her life is over, but soon she'll understand it's only just began. Kalijah
Notes: don't own TVD, because if I did it would be Kalijah all the way! Hope you enjoy this new journey I've crafted with so much love and fondness for my babes.
/
Looking from her shoulder, Katherine could catch the maids attending to her luggage and other belongings behind her as one of the woman she trusted the most until now, laced one more string in her corset.
"Katerina," the middle aged woman restarted "you must understand, your father only does what is the best for you, my doll," her voice although rigid, held a snippet of sadness, her baby was leaving home, after all.
Katherine breathed in and out and tried not faint from how tight mother was lacing her.
She indeed has always been told, she and her twin sister, Elena: slimer the figure more beautiful the liver.
Liar.
Katherine already could spot fireflies appearing in her vision, when the older Petrova let her go. The fabric of her green dress came next, but she didn't pay it much attention, even though her mama was bragging about how that one was yet the most beautiful she ever had worn so far.
"Not more than your wedding gown that is,"
She had to address the elephant in the room.
Katherine would sigh if she hasn't been so restricted.
The maids left the room and Katherine's mother held her face into her warm palms, pity the younger couldn't feel such warmth her mother was trying to convey.
"You, my beautiful Katerina, will be the most precious jewel North Kingdom has ever laid eyes upon," the older hands adjusted a rebel chocolate caracole falling in her daughter's face "you will be the most beautiful and remembered queen in the four realms."
It sounded like a blessed prophecy, but Katherine felt like crying and screaming, scratching the walls begging for help, sobbing in front of her father not to send her away, not to do this to her.
The princess of the South breathed deep and held her tears, she wouldn't give her mother the satisfaction of weakness, she had taught her best, she had learned not to cry, she had been told of this day, she had been prepared by many so she would fulfill this role with confidence, she had traveled, she had lived her life the best she could until now, they had let her be and move as she must till her 21th birthday.
That was when this story begun.
And for Katherine, that was when her life ended.
/
The carriage traveled north to the Winter kingdom. Slowly, the yellow and pink, reds and oranges transformed into blue, purple, white on the ground and mountains, maroons adorned the trees all alone, the greens…there weren't much of those.
She was tired of waking up and falling asleep again and again inside that tiny box with wheels, but the landscapes showed her she wasn't much far from her new home.
Home.
She was already missing the south lands and Katherine couldn't even guess when she would be back.
Adjusting herself again on the comfortable seat, she opened the book she brought along to pass the time, not knowing that not far from there the king himself did almost the same thing.
/
Elijah opened the drawer in his mahogany table and fetched a dark covered book from inside, opening the cover, just before the second page, a portrait could be seen.
The long dark locks, deep chestnut eyes, long neck and plump lips faced him back. She was coming today.
As the older son of Mikael, after Finn's deserted. Elijah has been preparing himself for the role of King of the North ever since his thoughts only held juvenile worries. His father, before passing, had introduced him to all the realm duties, thought him about honor and loyalty, showed how to control and educate his siblings the best they could, without a mother and last but not least, to choose a queen.
Mikael has always invested in weddings outside the realm, politically it was the wiser decision, make alliances and create relations with other kingdoms, better yet if those were from the South, where they didn't held as much land as they did in the North.
And so, when crowned King, Elijah and his consultants started searching.l for a suitable Queen.
Which wasn't a hard task, seeing his father had left a pleasant surprise.
A deal of an arranged marriage between the first born daughter of the South and the next king of the north. It was supposed to be Finn, yes, but since he had abdicated to live his forbidden love, a simpler life outside of the court, Elijah would take his bride.
He didn't know much about her, except from her age and name: Katerina, twenty one springs, alas he had twenty seven.
His two year younger brother Niklaus, in one of his travels to the south had brought him a portrait of the princess and he couldn't be more right when said that Katerina would be the most beautiful queen both has seen so far.
And after months it was finally here. The moment where he would meet his fiancée. His future queen.
What was she like?
He had seen her face but what were her aspirations? What did she sound like?
And more importantly: would she approve of him? Of her new home?
They would marry either way, but he preferred if it was a civil union where they could be partners and share respect and companion, and maybe even love, as he had seen his parents do while growing up.
The regal listen to his vassal announce his brothers Niklaus and Kol and then excuse himself after. Paying them no mind, Elijah carried on with his previous actions.
"He is indeed nervous about meeting his future Queen, brother," it was Kol the first one to speak and Klaus snickered, his wolf smirk showing.
"We shall not let him know his fiancée just trespassed the kingdom's gates then," the blonde one commented and that finally made the king spare them a glance.
"Already?" Elijah questioned in confusion, he was told she wouldn't be here 'till downfall.
Kol nodded examining his elder expression.
They all had noticed Elijah had been somewhat anxious with her arriving. The family was overall.
"We shall wait for her at the throne hall then," their king announced and got to his feet.
Adjusting his heavy vests he lead the way with his brothers and most faithful counselors beside him.
/
Katherine saw the commotion as the carriage approached the grand stone castle.
People waved and poured fingers as her court advanced the stone path.
She wouldn't admit but she was anxious. Her hands were cold, even wearing think gloves and the weather didn't help ser case of trembling limbs.
She tried not to think of how it would all roll out. She tried not to think about the king appearance or age, or how his court would receive her. Would they be welcoming? Would she adapt? She'd have to. She didn't have a choice.
Katherine almost missed their stop and when she did notice, took a deep breath, as best as she could being so well laced, and offered her hand to the vassal that helped her out of her transport.
She was guided through long, cold and tall halls, where the walls were full of portraits of family members deceased and not. The tapestry was rich and deep blue, the curtains the same shade and the doors were oak and white. She followed guards and maids until they reached the bigger of them all, and when it opened she was announced.
"The Princess of the South, your highness Katerina Petrova,"
She was in the middle of the throne giant room. It all was opulent and steely. The scheme was blue, white and silver, but the white light reflected from the snow outside gave it all a comforting spectrum.
Katherine bowed deeply in front of those she knew would be her family now. She was aware the north had many brothers and sisters, she was imputed as much, and when she looked ahead she starting analyzing them.
They probably were in order of birth, so she faced a boy not older than ten summers, his head black with curls and his eyes so blue they were almost transparent.
"Your highness Prince Henrick of the North," he was also the first one they announced to her, followed by a rehearsed bow from the teen.
"Your highness Princess Rebekah of the North," eyes as blue as Henrick's, the only woman in the room besides her, faced her with curiosity and maybe some animosity as well, Katherine wasn't sure. Her mare so gold and straight it could be made of pure fine gold.
Katherine bowed once more and Rebekah mirrored her.
"Your highness prince Kol of the North," his hair was a bit lighter if compared to his younger brother, but the curls were there. His almost ônix eyes bored into her chocolate ones and she used all her willpower not to look away, he had mischief all written upon himself.
She bowed lightly and then it followed to the next one.
"Your highness prince Niklaus of the North," again blue eyes, his hair reminded her of the sand back home. She corresponded to his side smile and he deeply bowed to her, was he mocking her? She felt like it but complied altogether.
"Your majesty, first of his name, King Elijah Mikaelson of the North,"
As contrary to his siblings, Elijah was seated at his throne, with the guard announcing his name, he got on his feet and descended the couple steps down, he reached for her hand as she recollected herself from bowing to him.
"My King," she faced their hands before looking up into his orbs. They were coffee deep and his jaw was firm with a tight smile. His lips and nose aristocratic and hair full and styled back. His vesta were heavy and navy blue. She thought him beautiful.
She didn't know what to expect but surely wasn't a young man so collected and rich in beauty.
Elijah, on the other hand, was doing the exact same, drinking every little detail she was showing. From her plump lips, to her olive skin and smoky eyes, the full beautiful curly hair the nose so asymmetric it was almost as if was painted there.
"My lady," he greeted back kissing her knuckles and letting go of her hand "I hope you had a pleasant journey here,"
Katherine smiled and nodded even though her dress had almost killed her till there.
"I'm certain you are to be much tired from the travel, you shall rest before we eat," he recommended but she shook her head dismissively.
"I feel good enough, my king, you rest assured we can follow the program for today," it wasn't a hundred percent truth, but she wasn't about demonstrate weakness in her first day.
Elijah condescended and turned around to announce they would be having lunch shortly then.
As soon as he said that, they all went to another room, this one full of sofas and loveseats, chairs, and an enormous fireplace.
"I was under the impression you would not arrive lonesome, Lady Petrova," Klaus offered as the doors were closed behind the group. Everyone found their seats where they judged best and tried not to Annalise their future Queen too much.
Katherine stayed up, close to the window, Rebekah near her sat on one of the loveseats.
"They shall come for the wedding, my prince," she politely gave and he tsked her smiling.
"You refer to me as Klaus, you will be my sister, after all," he faced Rebekah "probably a nicer one, too,"
"Oh Nik, you are such a pig!" Bekah snorted making her brother laugh and deflect from a flying cushion.
"You have siblings, Katerina?" Kol questione and of course he left the formalities outside the room.
"Yes, a twin sister, Elena, she is a Salvatore Lady as of now," the brown haired woman pointed out.
"Stefan?" The blonde sister questioned exasperated.
Katherine shook her head. "Damon, she chose him, the betrothal was to be with Stefan indeed, though,"
Rebekah held back a sigh of relief, her hidden feelings for the younger Salvatore were no secret to some, but she tried hard to conceal it. Hopefully, Elijah would suggest their union when her time came.
"Lord Salvatore is a very close acquittance to our kingdom, he sure shall make his presence known at the wedding," Katherine offered, blinking one brown odd at her sister in law, which made Rebekah almost soar in anticipation.
Elijah stayed silent listening to her talking with his siblings. Even little Henrick seemed to be smitten by her ways. He knew he should be making the effort, but for the moment, he was content in witnessing his family make her acquaintance.
Not long took to the maids to come fetch them to the dinning room, and after more questions were aimed at his fiancée, Elijah finally had time alone with her when he took upon himself to show her the chambers where she would live until their wedding night.
They passed the anti chamber, the tea room and then the bedroom, with Elijah opening the doors for her.
He dismissed all the help, so he would have more privacy. Not that he would try anything inappropriate, he was in fact an honorable man, but he figured they could start building intimacy in form of conversation, and that required no strangers' ears around.
"Is it of your liking, Katerina?" Elijah asked when they stopped in the middle of her bedroom.
Her things were already there, enclosed in their rightful places. Katherine looked around, the enormous bed, the furs around the room… it was all so different from her previous home, where the days and nights were always so humid and hot.
"I shall adapt very well, your majesty, thank you," she spoke looking at him, her hands down folded in front of her body.
"Let the maids know if you need anything," he told her taking a furtive step ahead, "this is your home now," he dared touch her chin with his fingertips, making her bore her beautiful chocolate orbs into his.
The portrait did not in any way do her justice. She was flawless, the epitome of perfection. He had never laid eyes in a woman that trapped so much of his attention.
"I shall leave you to your own devices as of now," regretfully he informed, the last thing he was red was to leave her alone, he wanted to know everything there was to know about her.
She nodded her understanding, at first she thought she would hate everything about this place, and of she was being honest to herself, she preferred Warner weather, but the fear of not being welcomed and mistreated was almost gone. They had been polite and respectful until this moment.
She chose to stick and vote for good impressions to remain unchanged.
"We shall dine together, if my lady feels like it," he wouldn't push, the trip has been indeed long.
Katherine nodded simply, her chestnut locks bouncing in place.
"It is settled then," Elijah smiled softly "until then, Katerina," he deposited a feather light kiss in her hand, his fingers touching her pulse point, and turned to leave her be.
Overwhelmed with everything, the tiredness took the best of her, and unlacing her corset the best she could without help, Katherine laid down on the soft mattress, sighing in contentment to finally being able to rest her back and legs.
As her head touched the plush pillows, the furs em dancing her figure, the brunette thought of how rich and beautiful her name sounded in her future husband mouth.