𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑿𝑰𝑪𝑨𝑳 - Klaus Mikaelson

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆

August 12th, 1374

"Prince Stewart. We welcome you to our palace." My father spoke as he bowed to the royal visitor. I stood to his left, watching the royal enter our home with a smile. I returned his smile and curtsied. When I stood straight again, he shook his head at me.

"My future wife and the future Queen of Scots does not need to bow her head to me." He said with a thick Scottish accent, I smiled at him and when I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks, I looked to the floor. I looked back at his eyes when I was sure the pink in my cheeks faded.

"You are getting ahead of yourself, Your Highness. We only just met." I said with my smile in place. My father let out a booming chuckle from beside me. I turned to where he was looking, seeing Niklaus and his siblings walking down the corridor toward us. I have not seen them all together like this since the first night I met them.

"Lords and Lady Mikaelson. You must join us in welcoming our guest, Prince Stewart." My father, Prince Laurence, spoke to the Vampire family he met only days ago. My smile faded as I watched the family walk closer.

"The Crown Prince? Robert III? Lovely to make your acquaintance, Your Highness." Rebekah spoke from the left of her brothers as she batted her eyelashes at the Prince. I turned my attention to Niklaus on the far right of the family, his attention already on me. I quickly averted his gaze and focused back on the Prince.

"Your Highness, let me give you a tour. I would love to show you our gardens, they are my favourite." I smiled as I spoke to the man.

"I would love that, my lady." He held out his hand and I gladly gave him mine. I led him through the corridor, intending to truly get to know him, not scare him away like I usually do. I let myself take another glance at the siblings as we walked away, Niklaus kept his eyes on me as his family spoke to my father with smiles. I only looked away from him when Robert called to me, trying to get me to focus on him again.

***

"Tell me, how does the heir to the Scottish throne find himself searching for a wife in England?" I ask with a soft chuckle. We sat in the middle of the palace gardens, on a blanket on the ground to separate us from the grass. Surrounded by flowers and wildlife, I felt content. Nature was a love of mine.

"My father wants alliances to help him with the war against the French. The daughter of the next King of England seemed like a fine choice." I nodded at his confession. It was a fair reason, I understood. I needed to wed for familial reasons, as did he.

"What is Scotland like? I have always wanted to see the world beyond England." I confessed with a smile, thinking of what Scotland could have to offer excited me.

"Hills in every direction, cliffs by the ocean, forests so thick you could get lost, prosperous farmland and fields of flowers for as far as the eye can see." He smiled to himself as he spoke of his homeland. I admired the way he spoke of his country.

"That sounds delightful." A familiar voice said from behind me. Robert looked up confusedly at Niklaus. "Your Highness. Would you come here?" Robert stood up from the comfort of our blanket and next to Niklaus.

"Niklaus," I warned. He ignored me and stepped closer to Robert, he laid his hands on his shoulders and looked deep into his eyes. Compulsion always looked like a monster staring into its victim's soul.

"The Princess was needed elsewhere and you let her be. You had a nice conversation and will meet her again tomorrow." Niklaus smiled at his work and glanced at me briefly. "Now, say farewell to the fair lady and be on your way."

Robert blinked a few times, his brain trying to comprehend the instructions. He faced me with a smile. "I will be looking for you tomorrow, my lady. Farewell for now."