To Be King by VisciousRose

Chapter 2

I knew that while I would prefer to never have to speak with the two-timing whore. That wouldn't be a choice I could make without displeasing Father, who wasn't abusive thanks to being busy dealing with other noblemen and the business avenue's I mentioned starting and or fixing.

Can't terrorize your kids when you aren't home long enough to do so. And when you are home too tired to raise a fuss.

"Are you avoiding me Mr. Salvatore?" Katherine Pierce inquired voice demure as she watched me from under her eyelashes.

Speak of the devil and it appears, too bad crosses and Holy water don't work.

"Of course not," I refuted hands folded behind my back as I inclined my head before meeting her eyes with my own. "I am sad to say that I am very busy Miss Pierce. A lot of my time is spent overlooking documents and attending lessons or meetings. Has my brother been a bad host?"

And it was only because I wore a hidden necklace of vervain along with ingesting it that allowed me to feel free enough to meet her eyes without fear of being compelled. Though thankfully she wouldn't be able to tell that I have ingested it.

"No, your brother has been a very good host," Katherine denied giving me a shy and sultry smile while raising her hand to rest near my elbow. "I had just wished to meet the younger brother he loves to go on about."

"I apologize then," I gave a light bow. "Would you like to see the personal gardens that were gifted to me by my father?"

I couldn't have her complaining to Father about me being a horrid host. She would not cause all of my plans to fail just because she was needy. And after seeing her give a beaming smile and nod, did I offer her my arm as a gentleman should though in the back of my mind I wondered if Damon had gotten the newest batch of letters we had sent.

"It is beautiful," Katherine stated voice filled with false awe and wonder.

This garden in the back had been given to me when I made mention of finding gardening soothing and made a comment of helping me clear my thoughts. It was the one thing father did for me that I was thankful for.

"What all have you planted?"

"Sakura blossoms, lilies of all kinds, white roses," I listed giving a brief wave toward each.

Even though currently the blossoms weren't bloomed considering the season, they were still my favorite.

"And some others."

Honestly, the garden was more of a meadow theme then a true garden. It was also fenced off and a place that even Stefan stayed away from unless he wanted a quiet moment to himself, even then he always asked for permission first.

I led Katherine to the two leaned back chairs I had the carpenter create based off things from the future, I had wanted comforts of before, even if that meant gaining credit for something, I had nothing to do with.

"I truly am thankful for all that your family has done for me," Katherine asserted as she kept a hold of my arm. "Not many would take in a young lady and her lady in waiting or as most say a servant."

"The thanks belongs to my father," I stated taking the seat beside her and skillfully gaining back my arm. "But I will make sure to inform him of how you are settling here Miss Pierce."

Thankfully not long after we had begun to talk about books we have read and things we have seen and hope to see that Stefan arrived with the end of his lessons, out of breath and face sweaty, he looked between Katherine and I with a look I couldn't describe.

"Ah brother," I greeted with a smile rising to my feet gracefully. "Now that you are free you can entertain our guest here while I head off to my own lessons. It was a pleasure speaking with you Miss Peirce, and I do ever hope you continue to enjoy your time with us. If you both would excuse me."

That was not the last time Katherine would hunt me down and all but drag me back to my personal garden to talk of books and knowledge, and each time I wanted to just stake her and be done with the whole mask and act I was forced to put on.

But then I remembered, Father who was happy and not abusive, and Stefan who was so happy now that he had someone to speak with and visit with to help soothe the lonely feeling. One I hadn't been aware he felt. Though just as I had known would happen, Damon had returned and seen Katherine playing a game of tag with Stefan.

"Hello brothers," Damon exclaimed all but running toward us while decked out in dusty uniform with a large beaming smile. "Have you missed me?"

"Damon," I greeted smile almost hurting with how much it took up my face while I took him in, healthy and whole. "It truly is good to see you alive and unhurt."

"Are you back for good?" Stefan all but demanded as he pulled Damon into a tight hug.

I didn't even try to pull away when Damon did the same to me after moving away from Stefan to where I stood on the front steps.

"I am," Damon answered smile a thin and strained thing. "I am home and I will not be leaving again."

I wished that I could be happy that my brother was home and not fighting a war, and I was, but even more than that I was worried. Because now came the time where Katherine would tie my brothers into knots that all but bowed to her as their master, and from the way she kept trying to ensnare me, well it meant she wanted the full set.

"Come," I said motioning to Damon. "Let us get you cleaned up and something warm to eat. I will talk to at a later time Miss Pierce and Stefan I hope to see you later this evening with Damon."

"It was a pleasure meeting you," Damon offered eyes all but glued to Katherine's form as she watched us. "Damon Salvatore at your service."

"Katherine Pierce," Katherine answered the unasked question while giving a small curtsy. "And the same to you Mr. Salvatore. I hope to see you tomorrow for another one of our talks Leviathan. If you have the time."

It still caused me to hide an inner grimace at her saying my given name and not my last, but with Stefan giving his permission to use his, I couldn't just refuse her the right to use mine. Either way I motioned for Damon to follow now that he had introduced himself so we could get some warm food.

"It is good to be home," Damon mused with a small warm smile as he threw his arm across my shoulders. "Now I can see why Stefan mentioned in his letters of being unsure and jealous of the attention his lady pays to you."

"He can have her," I refuted with an eye roll. "I have more focus on my studies and paperwork than that of a woman. Now enough teasing let us get you cleaned up and fed before father comes home tonight."