The Unbroken Heir

CHAPTER TWO

New Orleans

The Mikaelsons had finally returned to New Orleans, their ancestral home, and while the city welcomed them back, it wasn't without its share of surprises.

News quickly spread that Marcel had left town, burdened with guilt for his actions against the family. Although the Mikaelsons were initially angered, they eventually forgave him and decided to let the matter go.

However, the household was still shrouded in a foul mood. The siblings wandered the living area of their home, lost in thought.

Elysia, with her perceptive eye, noticed the tense and gloomy atmosphere. Frowning, she decided she'd had enough of this brooding nonsense. It was time to shake things up.

The family had gathered in the grand living room, silent and lost in their own thoughts.

Hope and Alexander sat quietly on the couch, looking from one Mikaelson to the other, unsure of what to say.

Elijah, in his usual fashion, stood by the window, gazing out as if searching for answers in the dimming light.
Rebekah paced the room, arms folded,

while Kol and Niklaus sulked on either side of the room, looking like statues carved from stone.

Elysia, sitting cross-legged on the rug, watched them all with a mischievous glint in her eye. This was unacceptable. The Mikaelson household needed a little chaos.

"I can't take it anymore!" she declared dramatically, throwing her arms into the air.

Everyone turned to look at her, frowns etched on their faces.

"What are you on about, Elysia?" Rebekah asked, raising an eyebrow.

Elysia put on her best innocent face. "Oh, nothing," she said sweetly. "Just, you know, I think we need to lighten up a bit."

Kol snorted. "And how do you propose we do that, little troublemaker?"

A sly smile spread across Elysia's face. "Like this."

Before anyone could react, Elysia jumped up and sprinted out of the room. Seconds later, she returned, a smug expression on her face and a water balloon in each hand. Without warning, she hurled one at Elijah, who had no time to dodge and ended up soaked.

The room fell silent for a heartbeat, and then...

"Did she just...?" Rebekah started.

"Oh, it is on!" Elijah growled, but there was a twinkle in his eye as he lunged for her.

Elysia shrieked with laughter, dodging out of his reach. "You're too slow, Daddy!" she teased, running behind the sofa.

The rest of the family blinked, stunned for a moment before Kol let out a loud cackle. "She's got guts! I love it!"

Niklaus, finally breaking out of his brooding mood, grinned and grabbed another water balloon from the stash Elysia had left behind. "You're right, Kol. It's time to teach this little one some manners." With that, he tossed the balloon at Rebekah, who shrieked in outrage as it burst across her chest.

"Oh, you are dead, Nik!" Rebekah yelled, grabbing a balloon of her own and retaliating.

In seconds, the room erupted into chaos. Water balloons flew through the air, laughter and shouts filling the space that had been so quiet and somber moments before. Even Hope and Alexander joined in, giggling as they ducked for cover and lobbed balloons at their distracted aunts and uncles.

Elysia darted around the room, her laughter echoing like a bright melody. She had successfully stirred up the trouble she intended, and seeing her family laughing and playing around brought a warmth to her chest.