𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 | E. Mikaelson

prologue

────────────────1831, 180 years ago.

"Celia!"

The voice received no verbal response other than huffs and puffs. The girl who it was directed to was sat on the floor, legs crossed. Her deep brown skin peeked out of her emerald dress, adorned with ruffles and flower detailings.

"Would you stay still?" The older girl hissed at the fidgeting teen before her. As she brushed her hair, the younger girl only seemed to grow more agitated at the force in which she brushed with.

"I would." The young girl started, "If you weren't attacking my scalp with that ghastly thing."

Cecilia had thick, dark hair that perched far below her shoulders. Hair thicker than Rebekah's, that was for sure, but that didn't stop the pair from enjoying the bonding that came with the styling of it.

The blonde giggled at her dramatics and tossed the hairbrush aside. "Alright then. Two braids or one?" It was a daily occurrence and yet the answer was almost always the same.

"One."

The older girl frowned at her response, "Shame, the two braids make you look darling."

"Perhaps when I was five." The brunette teased as she began handing her the hairbrush back.

Rebekah had always been the sister she never had and the mother that she had always longed for. Unbeknownst to Cecilia, she had healed Rebekah in a similar way during their time together.

"Celia!" The voice echoed through the compound once again. Cecilia felt at her now completed french braid and hopped up, planting a peck on Rebekah's cheek as a 'thank you'.

The original girl smiled faintly at the teenager before her, the result of her nurturing and teachings. All manifesting into an undeniably gorgeous young woman.

"Ce-" It started but was sharply cut off by the much louder yell of the younger Gerard.

"For goodness sake, Marcel!" She snapped, "I heard you the first one hundred times!"

Marcel Gerard, the only blood relative she had left and the only person that could annoy her and get away with it. Most of all, Cecilia was sure that nothing could tear them apart.

Not even death.

The girl hurried out of the room as quickly as she could, just in time to meet her brother at the door.

"Are you ready?" Marcel pestered.

"Yes, ready as can be." Cecilia confirmed, straightening out her dress with her hands and picking up the small basket to the right of her.

"Who's ready?" A voice enquired, another familiar one but this time the voice was of a much older man. The two siblings groaned, knowing they had been caught for trying to go out unsupervised which Klaus had never allowed them to do.

"I'm sure we are old enough now, Niklaus." The younger girl started.

"Besides, she has me to protect her." Marcel added confidently as he placed his hands firmly on his hips, "Which I will."

The vampire paused to look between them both before starting again, "And I have no doubts regarding your capabilities, Marcellus. But until you can fend for yourselves- you must take one of us along with you."

"I'd rather not." Celia snapped, earning a forceful nudge from her big brother. In which she didn't take lightly and stomped on his foot in return.
"I'm very capable of navigating the markets myself, but if it must still be that way- I choose Rebekah."

"I believe I've been summoned." The original girl chirped as she came prancing in.

"Bex, please come and pick flowers with me... pretty please."

The original brother cocked his head to the side upon hearing her request, "Pick flowers? Now Cecilia, you claimed to want to visit the markets."

"Same thing." The brunette shrugged, "Come on! You as well, Marcel." She giggled as she dragged the two by the arms and out of the doors of the Mikaelson home.

Here was where she felt like she belonged, she felt wanted and loved. Protected and appreciated. She had somewhere to call home and people to call family.

Always and Forever.