Consequences of expression

2

"Hello, my name is Rebekah, nice to meet you." She said, curtsying. I curtsied back and told her my name as well. I noticed a younger boy behind Rebekah. "And this is Henrik."

"Nik and Elijah should be here at any moment, so beware, they may try to be your suitors, the same as Tatia. You would do well to stay with Kol, he may be a trouble maker, but he will treat you as a princess." Rebekah whispered in my ear as she walked by. I smiled at her and whispered back a thanks. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Kol walked up behind me and whispered in my ear just like Rebekah had.

"Sharing secrets already, darling? Hmm?" He whispered. I laughed and made him come down to my level.

"It was about you." I whispered in his ear. He looked at me with devilish eyes and I smirked at him.

"Don't worry about Nik and Elijah, I will lead them off your trail if it comes to that. What I am worried about is what my father is going to say." He said, helping put the food onto the table.

"I'm sure it will be fine." I said to him with a smile. I turned around to see Klaus and Elijah coming through the door, stopping as soon as they saw me.

"Tatia? What are you doing here? We were just with you at the market." Elijah asked first.

"I am not Tatia. I am her cousin, Elena." I said, subconsciously moving closer to Kol.

"Forgive me, Miss Elena, I am Elijah." He said, kneeling to kiss my hand.

"And I am Niklaus, what a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman." Klaus said, doing the same as Elijah did. I know they had told me this would happen, but it was so weird. Kol sensed my insecurity and stepped closer to me, putting his arm around my waist as to say that I was off limits. They both saw the action and huffed as they walked away, heading toward the table.

"Thank you" I whispered to him and he smiled at me in response, his arm still around my waist as he walked me to the table and pulled out my chair. Before we sat down, Mikael and Finn came through the door. Kol's arm tightened around me and I could tell he was nervous about the whole thing. He greeted Esther and she motioned to me, mentioning that I was not Tatia before he said anything.

"Kol, would you care to introduce me to his lovely lady you have brought to dinner?" He said, looking at me.

"Father, this is Miss Elena, cousin of Tatia. Elena, this is Lord Mikael, my father." Kol said nervously. I curtsied, smiling.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lord Mikael. Your family has been very welcoming, and Kol has been such a gentleman." I told him.

"Kol, have you asked the lady permission to court her yet?" I knew that question would come up and I was prepared for it, even if Kol wasn't. I saw him looking distressed, not knowing how to answer.

"He has, and I have graciously accepted." I said, seeing Kol look at me like I just saved his life, and shocked, nonetheless. His siblings looked shocked as well.

"I see you are a strong woman, you would do well as his wife." Mikael said as he motioned for everyone to sit.

"Thank you, my lord." I replied to the complement. I knew things in this time were much different and I was playing along the best I could.

Dinner passed quickly. As Kol and I moved to leave, Klaus and Elijah came over and said their goodnights as if I was some type of goddess. We walked out of the door arm in arm, waving goodbye. It wasn't as awkward as I had expected.

"You are very brave." Kol said as we walked home.

"How is that?" I asked curiously.

"I have never seen a woman talk to my father as an equal. You were brilliant." He said, looking at me with his dark brown eyes.

"So you aren't mad about what I told him?" I asked curiously.

"To be honest, I was a bit shocked. You realize what courting is, right? It is the first step towards marriage." He said, looking away.

"Yes, I understand. I was afraid I would anger you because I am not who you want to marry." I said, truthfully. I had known this Kol for a day, and he was already so much nicer to me than anyone I had ever met. I felt safe, comfortable with him. He stopped walking and turned to look at me, grabbing my hands.

"Elena. I have known you for one day, but I can already tell you that I have never met anyone like you. You are strong, courageous, beautiful. I feel protective of you. I would be a lucky man to have you on my arm, and not just as a cover story." He said, smiling. I felt myself blush deeply.

"Are you trying to ask permission to court me for real?" I asked smirking at him.

"I believe I am, Lady Elena." He said, kneeling, holding my hand.

"Yes, you may." Any thought of the Salvatore drama had left my mind. I was sick of being fought over like a toy. I didn't know how long I would be here, or if I could even get back, and to be honest, I wasn't sure I wanted to go back. Life was simpler here.