persephone's orchard : k.m.

games of the green eyed dragon - chapter 6

Flashback.
Southern France.
1002.

'There. See the Count de Martel? You address him as "Your Grace." All the other nobles as "my lord." And, when you speak to the Count, you should speak of hunting. He loves his horse and his hounds.' Lucien led the Mikaelsons into the Castle they had fled too, 'And, bow deep, Lady Rebekah and Lady Astrid. The Count relishes a... healthy cleavage.'

The family were intrigued by what was going on around them. They were all looking in different directions. Astrid Mikaelson was in love with the decor, the ballroom was full of heavily decorated pillars that stretched all the way to the ceiling - it was extravagant. Not to mention she couldn't stop feeling the imported material of the dress she was wearing. The silk felt like heaven in comparison to what she used to have to wear back at the village. The navy blue shone in the reflection of the candle and she still couldn't comprehend why the long sleeves of her dress had a rope to tie to her middle finger.

'And, for God's sake, stop looking up!' Lucien scolded them and Astrid scowled at him, the strands that had been left out of her half up half down bun getting in her eyes. A similar situation was happening to Kol, the Mikaelson men had their hair in ponytails but some had fallen around his face and Lucien brushed it off.

'Touch me again, and I'll tear your arm straight off.' He smiled at the servant and Finn growled, 'Behave, Kol, or I'll bury you in the ground to rot.' Astrid looked between the two men, 'Better make that hole big enough, Finn.' Kol smiled at her, 'I'll gladly help him.'

'This isn't going to work, is it?' Rebekah looked sick to the stomach in her turquoise dress and Lucien settled her nerves, 'Just speak as we practiced... And know that you look lovely, my lady.'

'Nik...' Astrid clutched her husband's hand tighter and he soothed her discreetly, running his thumb up and down the hand that was clutching his and looking down at her, 'You're alright, love. Us against the world, remember?' She smiled with pursed lips, 'Us against the world.' Astrid jumped as the Count noticed their presence, 'Lucien, you were sent to fetch the Count de Guise!'

'Indisposed, my Grace. Gout.' Lucien seemingly had his lies set up and drew the Count's attention back to the Mikaelsons, 'May I present his children? The Lords Finn, Niklaus, Elijah, and Kol.' He pointed to each of the men before introducing the women, 'Also, the lovely Lady Rebekah. And his daughter in law, the darling Lady Astrid.'

'Your father never mentioned you to me in all our dealings.' The Count frowned, 'And Lady Astrid, do you not have your own family to stay with?'

This was her time to prove herself, she stepped forward, 'Unfortunately, You Grace, I was orphaned two years ago. My family home was struck by an awful fire and I was the only one who survived. I've stayed with my husband's family ever since.' She motioned to Nik and he stepped forward too. What she said had a particular truth to it and the faces of her dead family. She loved her mother deeply once upon a time but Rosaline had succumb to the terrors that death brings for a thousand years.

'Yes, Your Grace, do forgive us. Father was forever distant with his travels, and, uh, we were largely raised by servants. However, I do know that Father would consider it a glorious honor that we should be introduced to society by your noble hand, Your Grace.' Elijah smiled and The Count seemed to be believing them.

'Your Grace, I look forward to hearing tales of your hunting escapades!' Nik added and Astrid took a sigh of relief. 'May I present our sister?' He motioned to Rebekah and she recalled what Lucien said and bowed deeply, 'Rebekah de Guise de Rockfort Francais.' She looked up and saw exactly where he was staring. She smirked.

'Charmed.'

Flashback Over.
Present Day.

'Given the circumstance, Lucien qualifies as both friend and foe, and according to Freya's prophecy.' Nik spoke but Elijah cut him off, '--You are to beware both friend and foe. But, let us not forget family, Niklaus.'