Capital Letters

six

In the year 1864, Nathan returned home for a brief respite from the turmoil of the war. It was a rare moment of reprieve for him, a chance to escape the brutality of the battlefield and find solace in the familiar surroundings of his family's estate. While his relationship with his father had always been strained, there was one reason he cherished coming home—the opportunity to spend time with his younger brother, Stefan.

However, his attention soon shifted from thoughts of home to the captivating allure of a woman he had heard much about in Stefan's letters. Katherine, the name had been penned in numerous correspondences, and Nathan's curiosity had grown with each mention. He couldn't help but wonder who this mysterious woman was.

Stepping out of the carriage, he cast his gaze upon his family's grand estate, a place he loved for one reason above all others—his beloved brother. The strained relationship with his father had cast a long shadow over his childhood, leaving him with a sense of detachment from his family and their way of life.

He had never quite fit the mold of a traditional Southern gentleman, a fact that had only further fueled his desire to escape into the army, despite his reluctance to join the Confederate side of the war.

However, his focus swiftly shifted from the family home to the enchanting vision that stood before him. There, amidst the backdrop of their estate, he saw who assumed to be Katherine.

"Hi, you must be Katherine," Nathan greeted, extending his hand toward her with a charming smile.

Katherine's eyes danced between his, her gaze as captivating as it was enigmatic. With an elegance that matched her beauty, she held up her hand, and Nathan enraptured, took it gently, placing a delicate kiss upon it.

"And you must be Nathaniel," she responded with a hint of playful charm, her voice as melodious as a songbird's. "Stefan's mentioned you. I'm glad to finally be able to put a face to the name."

Nathan's smile widened as he gazed into her mesmerizing eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Katherine," he replied, his voice tinged with warmth and genuine interest. "But I'm sure my little brother has only told you the boring parts of my life. Rest assured, there are far better stories."

Katherine met his smile with one of her own, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and intrigue. "Oh, please, do tell," she encouraged, her presence casting a spell that Nathan couldn't resist.

Elena's voice quivered with disbelief as she repeated her question, her world unravelling before her eyes. "What are you?"

Stefan regarded her with a mixture of sadness and resignation, a deep well of sorrow lurking in his eyes. He couldn't bear the thought of revealing his true nature to her this way, but there was no other choice. "You know," he replied, his voice heavy with regret.

"No, I don't," Elena shook her head, her mind struggling to accept the inconceivable. Vampires and witches were creatures of fiction, and the notion of their existence clashed with the very foundation of her beliefs.

"Everything you know and every belief that you have is about to change. Are you ready for that?" Stefan inquired, a note of compassion threading through his words.

"What are you?" Elena's voice trembled with uncertainty, echoing the profound denial that clung to her.

Stefan paused, his gaze fixed upon her, and then he uttered the unimaginable truth. "I'm a vampire."

As Stefan confessed his identity, Nathan extended his hand, silently requesting the stake. Stefan surrendered it to his brother, who embarked on a relentless search for Damon. Hours passed fruitlessly until his phone shattered the silence, jolting him from his pursuit.