𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼, 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲.

            When Evangeline made her way to the ballroom, she stumbled upon Rebekah who wore a magnificent dress and of course, the prettiest smile they could find in the court. Waving at her, Rebekah motioned for her to come next to her and Evangeline found herself happy.

"Evangeline," she breathed out. "No lady's duties tonight?"

Evangeline chuckled, "No, tonight is all about fun. My friends are probably talking to noblemen."

"Who are they?"

"There is Mary, of course then Genevieve, Lucy and Jocelyn," she said softly. "Perhaps one day, you can join us for tea and I will introduce them to you. They are very nice people."

While Rebekah and Evangeline continued to chat, none of them realised Niklaus had stepped into the ballroom with his brothers. Elijah and Kol were looking around while Niklaus was looking for someone special. Evangeline. It didn't take long for him to settle his eyes on her, he could see her in a room full of women. Rebekah was standing next to her, laughing at something Evangeline had said.

His legs proceeded to walk towards them but he stopped as he waited for them to finish their conversation. He didn't want to appear rude, besides his little sister would never let him hear the end of it. Finally, Rebekah pointed at him with a smile as Evangeline hurried herself to turn around and bow.

Niklaus grabbed her arm, pulling her up, "No need to bow in front of me, love," he said softly as she granted him a smile. "So, you are friends with my little sister."

Evangeline nodded her head, a cup of wine in her hand, "Indeed. Rebekah is good company and very wise. I could use a friend like her at court," she then explained, looking over his shoulder. "Where are you brothers? I was eager to meet them and talk properly."

"We could go find them," he proposed.

Evangeline hummed, smiling as she heard the music stop, "Or, perhaps, would you please do me the honour of sharing a dance with me?" Niklaus didn't answer as she waited for him to take her hand, she frowned. "Do not let a lady wait, my Lord. It is very rude."

"Very rude of me, I apologise," he said with a chuckle as he took his hand, and pulled her to the middle of the room. Many eyes fell on them but Evangeline had only eyes for Niklaus. Even Klaus couldn't help but stare at her and only her.

"I suppose it is no wonder why we have so many eyes on us," Evangeline whispered as he showed her a pleasant smile. "People told me you never showed yourself with a woman at your arm, before me. Why me?"

With the hand on her waist, he squeezed softly, "Because, perhaps, you are the perfect woman to show me with. Everyone loves you, why shouldn't I?"

Evangeline ignored how her cheeks flushed and it was brought up, she would just blame it on the heat coming from the ballroom, "There are a lot of things you do not know about me, my Lord," she said as he raised an eyebrow. "We all have secrets and you somehow appear to have some as well. You are too mysterious."

Niklaus hummed, "I would say you are right," he murmured. "I am a man full of surprises, which can be good sometimes..."

"Or grim," she finished. The song ended as they both bowed in front of each other, not able to hold their smiles in. He presented his arm as she hooked hers around his. "What do you like to do in your free time? I have seen you a few times with your brother, Elijah."

"I like being outside, enjoying the sun a bit before going to the library and reading," he told her. "Quite surprising for a nobleman, I know. I am sure as a Queen's lady, you must have better occupations."

"I have my duties, yes," she told him with a chuckle. "But I enjoy many things besides being a lady. I love reading, though I am surprised that you do as well. I have never seen you in the library."

Niklaus smirked, "I can always join you, Evangeline," he teased as she rolled her eyes. "What do you do beyond reading?"

"I hunt. My father taught me how to. He always despised leaving me at home while my brothers and he would go hunt," she admitted. "Oh, and I know how to play chess! The King is an amazing player and I happened to hear that you were a brilliant player as well."

Niklaus smiled softly as he stopped walking, "What don't you not know about me, Lady Evangeline?" He queried with a laugh. "It seems that you've heard a lot of things."

"I did!" Evangeline exclaimed. "Ladies praise you colossally. You have managed to charm half of the castle. It is no matter of time before noblemen bring their daughters to charm you."

He took a deep breath, staring into her blue eyes, "You did say half of the castle? May I ask if you are part of the half, Lady Evangeline?"

Evangeline gaped at him, trying to formulate an answer that would not make her look needy and pathetic, "No, I am not part of it--yet. You are a great company and I am longing to know more about you, my Lord."

He smiled, tilting his head to the side, "Please, call me Niklaus. And perhaps, I have already been charmed."

Before she could ask what he meant by that, she spotted his brothers walking towards them, cups of wine in their hands. Kol wrapped his arm around Niklaus' shoulder, making him roll his eyes in annoyance. Evangeline didn't seem to mind as she chuckled. It reminded her of her brothers who were in Scotland.

"Ah, sweet Lady Farley!" Kol cheered, grabbing her hand as he managed to kiss the top of it. "How sweet it is to see your face again. I am Kol."

"I do know that."

Niklaus leaned closer to his brother's ear, "You see brother, Evangeline was just explaining to me how ladies whisper about us."

Elijah rolled his eyes, smiling at Evangeline, "I hope my brother is not a burden to you," he said.

Evangeline smiled widely, reaching for his arm and said, "Please, do not stress yourself about your brother's behaviour or me. He is a perfect gentleman, Elijiah," she reassured as he hummed, kissing the top of her hand as well.

"I apologise as an older brother, I cannot help myself but to worry about my siblings," he said.

Evangeline nodded, understandingly, "I do understand. I am myself the eldest of my family. I have two brothers, Tobias and George," she told him. "Niklaus and I were talking about hobbies. I was wondering if you would like to play chess with me tomorrow afternoon? It would be a shame not to accept my invitation."

"We would be delighted to gather with you. Though, I must warn you, Kol is a very sore loser."

"I am not!" Kol argued with a frown.

Evangeline beamed, looking at the three of them, "Perfect then. I shall leave you but it was lovely to spend the evening with you, Niklaus," she uttered tenderly. "And, please bring Rebekah along. I would love to see her again."

"I will," Elijah replied. "Goodnight, Lady Farley."

As she got away, silence fell over the three brothers while Niklaus watched her leave towards her chambers. Evangeline was everything he ever wanted--though, no one was really sure about what they wanted. But, she felt right. Deep down, in his heart, he knew. Elijah stood still, stunned by the woman. Surely, he thought his brother had laid eyes on a mere lady but he came to the realisation that he was indeed wrong. Evangeline Farley was special.

"That is quite the woman you got yourself, brother," Kol commented, laughing softly as Niklaus rolled his eyes. "I like her."

"Do you?" Niklaus queried, looking up at his brother. Kol nodded as Klaus turned his head to look at Elijah. "And you, brother? Penny for your thoughts?"

"I believe you and Rebekah. She is quite different from what I thought. Much wiser."

Later that night, Jocelyn and Genevieve entered Evangeline's chambers. Wide smiles on their faces, though Evangeline thought they looked quite drunk. They giggled, jumping on Evangeline's bed and crushing her legs in the process.

"Oh, we're sorry, Angel!" Jocelyn exclaimed, snorting loudly. "Genevieve and I wanted to come and see you."

"Well, I know," Evangeline replied with an arched eyebrow. "Why are you two up at such a late hour and also very intoxicated!"

"Joy had too much wine," Genevieve said, chuckling as Jocelyn hit her arm playfully. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"You are being too chatty, hush," Jocelyn mumbled then looked up at Evangeline who was still staring at them. "Ladies cannot stop gossiping about you dancing with Lord Mikaelson."

"And?"

"We thought we would ask how it was," Genevieve added with a shrug. "Mary wanted to come but Francis wanted to talk, and we've lost Lucy."

"You have lost Lucy?"

Jocelyn shook her head, "We didn't lose her. She left with a man from the kitchen. Very pretty," she slurred. "How was it, sweet Angel?"

Evangeline sighed but replied, "Sweet. It was very nice and we talked about everything. I am to play chess with his family tomorrow afternoon."

"Brilliant!"

"Perhaps you will marry that Lord Mikaelson," Genevieve said. "Would you like that?"

Evangeline shrugged, "It would be nice, I reckon," she said softly. "I think we make a good pair, don't we?"

"The nicest pair," Jocelyn complimented. "Can we sleep here?"

"Of course," Evangeline said with a smile. "We'll squeeze ourselves," she added with a chuckle.

"Night, Angel," Jocelyn muttered under her breath.

Evangeline breathed out, smiling softly, "Night, Joy."

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author's note,  crying bc angel deserves so much more