𝓤𝓝𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓣𝓤𝓝𝓐𝓣𝓔, 𝓣𝓗𝓔 𝓞𝓡𝓘𝓖𝓘𝓝𝓐𝓛𝓢

CHAPTER 8

Riya was up early, getting ready for the day. She brushed her hair, straightened her clothes, and gave herself a final look in the mirror. Satisfied, she headed downstairs, the familiar scent of breakfast wafting through the air. As she entered the living room, she saw Klaus and Rebekah sitting at the dining table, already deep in conversation. Klaus, holding his usual glass of scotch, glanced up as Riya approached.

"Good morning, love," Klaus said, a soft smile touching his lips.

"Morning, Dad," Riya replied, sitting down beside them. She glanced at Rebekah. "Morning, Aunt Rebekah."

"Morning, darling," Rebekah said, eyeing Riya with curiosity. "You seem... unusually calm today."

"Just trying to keep a level head," Riya said, shrugging lightly. "After everything yesterday, I figured I needed some peace."

"Peace is a rare commodity in this family," Klaus said with a smirk. "Though you handled yourself well yesterday. But you must remember, Riya, it's not your burden to carry."

"I know, but I told you, Dad. I'm not going to sit back and let anyone try to take you down. I'm part of this family, and I'll fight for it," Riya said, her voice firm.

"Fight for it, yes, but we don't want you losing yourself in the process," Rebekah added, her tone a little softer than usual as she looked at her niece.

"I'm not losing myself, Aunt Rebekah," Riya said, looking at both of them. "I'm just... becoming who I need to be."

Klaus watched her carefully, his eyes narrowing just a touch, though his smile remained.

"Just don't forget who you are, love," Klaus said, a warning in his voice. "Power changes people. You'll need to control it, or it will control you."

"I'll be fine, Dad," Riya replied confidently, leaning back in her chair. "I've learned from the best, haven't I?"

Rebekah glanced between Klaus and Riya, her concern evident as she sipped her tea.

"Just remember, darling, not everything has to be a fight," Rebekah said, giving her a pointed look.

Riya smiled softly at her aunt, understanding the underlying worry in her voice.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said quietly.

"Good," Klaus said, satisfied for now, though the glint of concern in his eyes remained. "Now, why don't you join us for breakfast before the chaos of the day begins?"

Riya smiled at him, feeling the warmth of her family around her despite the tension that always lingered beneath the surface. She nodded and reached for the food on the table, ready to face whatever the day would bring.

❤️❤️❤️

Klaus sits at the table, biting a woman's wrist, and Rebekah is opposite him, sipping from her cup. Between them, the table is covered with an extravagant spread of food. Riya sits quietly beside Klaus, observing the interaction between her father and aunt, her expression unreadable.

"Have you spoken to our good friend Marcel today?" Klaus asked, wiping the blood from his lips as he turned to Rebekah.

"No, should I have?" Rebekah replied, raising an eyebrow.

"He's been mysteriously silent – avoiding me, some might say," Klaus said, his tone laced with suspicion. "I thought perhaps he may have whispered reasons into your ear. Along with all of those sweet nothings.

"If I see him, I'll be sure to ask if he's still sore at you," Rebekah said, leaning back in her chair.

"Let me give a voice to that look in your eyes," Klaus said, smirking. "My saintly noble brother lies writhing in agony in the bayou, victim of my bastard-brother's-bite, when just one or two drops of his blood would ease his pain."