Waging Wars: A Klaroline Fanfiction

21.

The royal family lounged in one of their bigger family rooms next to a roaring fire, enjoying the peace and tranquility together. Caroline read a book, leaning against him as he sat back watching their children. Adrianna sat at a nearby desk, consumed with her work as acting ruler. Klaus had no problem with handing her the reins until he convinced himself Caroline and the rest of his family was once again safe. He heard her huff in aggravation as she fingered through the parchments, forcefully making corrections or additions. Juliette, Gwendolyn, and Alice sat on the floor by the fire, giggling every time William blew them a raspberry or lost his balance and rolled from his sitting position. This was what he wanted, he thought. He wanted his family together, safe, and happy.

A page entered quietly from a side door, so not to disturb the rest of the family and made his way to Klaus. "Your Majesty, Lord Kol would like to have an audience if you are so willing," the dark haired man requested after a flourished bow to his leaders.

Klaus dismissed Kol's request. "Later."

"He says it's most pressing."

Klaus quickly sent a questioning look to Adrianna, surely she would know what his brother wanted, but she seemed as confused as he. "I'll meet him in my study."

After the page took his leave he motioned for Adrianna to follow him and gave a swift kiss to Caroline.

They made their way down winding halls where servants and courtesans bustled about, completing their daily chores or amusing themselves with conversation.

"What could he want?" Adrianna whispered, but Klaus cut her off with a look that told her to be silent.

Kol was already waiting in the study, his hair a mess and his face lined with stress. "What is it?"

"Aunt Rebekah?" Adrianna gasped and ran to the woman whom Klaus hadn't noticed at the window. As the two women hugged Klaus noticed for the first time how tired and bedraggled his sister looked and locked eyes with Kol who gave a slight nod.

"What happened?" Klaus growled at his sister who glanced at him with sad eyes.

"I was doing what I thought was right for the family."

Klaus paced the darkened room. He wasn't ready yet. The war was supposed to start when he was ready for it, a panicked voice screamed inside his head. Caroline wasn't yet completely better and his son and daughters were still too young to be around such violence. The war had been planned to take place in the East, not his lands. He never wanted his lands to be marred with the remembrance of destruction. He wasn't ready, he repeated to himself.

"Klaus, our plans have changed. We have to be prepared," Kol said as he stepped beside him, placing a restraining hand on his shoulder. "Our army is bigger than ever before, but I'm sure Phillip and his men have already set sail."

"I'm so sorry, Nik," Rebekah blubbered again, still keeping Adrianna close, soaking in her support.

Klaus took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind and stop his anxious inner monologue. "What did you do to start this?"

She opened her mouth a couple times, floundering for an answer that she didn't want to give. "I tried to poison him," she whispered.

He could feel the vein in his neck start to pulse. "Tried?"

Their eyes met briefly, his filled with rage and hers filled with apprehension. "He didn't ingest enough."

To everyone's surprise Klaus laughed. "That does always seem to be a woman's technique," he mused to no one in particular. His eyes grew hard in the next second. "And now since you failed you've put this entire country in danger."