𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲, 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲.

          The Mikaelson had been here for almost a year now and had grown to like Evangeline more and more every day. Each of them were stunned by how talented and wise she was. The first afternoon where they played chess had allowed Elijah to learn more about the sweet lady Evangeline. Then, Kol proposed to her to go hunt which she accepted right away because she missed it dearly. Rebekah loved her because for once, someone cared about her and not only her brothers. All of them were somehow feverish to welcome her into the family, and very happy to see Niklaus become himself when he was around her.

All the comments about her didn't help Niklaus either. He was absolutely mental about her, and had felt that way ever since he laid his eyes on her. But, she was giving him a hard time. They did multiple activities together such as horse riding, play chess and meet in the library to read together. There was nothing sweeter and calmer than to spend his afternoons reading by her side. He loved all those moments and sometimes, it made him dread the moment he would have to tell her but he refused to.

What if she starts seeing him as a monster? The one he really is? Nonetheless, Evangeline was not stupid and her instinct was always right—so, deep down, she knew that Niklaus was hiding something from her.

As for now, Niklaus observed his little sister roam around their chambers. He soon noticed that she was fully dressed to go somewhere and he could not help himself to ask.

"Where are you going, sister?" Niklaus queried.

Rebekah smiled softly, grabbing a hair pin, "Evangeline invited me for some tea with the Queen of Scotland, Mary. Do not worry, brother. I will behave properly."

"How considerate of you and how nice of her to invite you," he commented, slightly jealous that Rebekah would be the one spending her afternoon with his sweet Evangeline. "Be polite, Rebekah."

"I do know with whom I am having tea, Niklaus. Perhaps you are just jealous that for once, I am the one spending time with Angel," Rebekah mumbled.

Niklaus sped at Rebekah, stopping right in front of her as she stared at him with a cocked eyebrow. After all, she was used to Niklaus being impulsive so instead, she stared and smirked. Before any of them could utter a word or move a muscle, Elijah stepped between them and separated them with a long sigh.

"Sister, go meet Evangeline," he smiled softly then looked at his brother. "And, you stay here Niklaus," he told him, a finger on his chest.

Rebekah thanked her brother as she strolled through the castle's halls while two guards were escorting her. Evangeline had been sweet enough to invite her to tea with her friends and the Queen. It would have been quite stupid to refuse. When she arrived, the women were already around the table. She kneeled in front of the Queen, just like her brothers had taught her.

"Your Grace," she whispered. "Thank you for letting lady Evangeline invite me."

Mary smiled, "You must be lady Rebekah. Evangeline could not stop talking about you nor yout brother," she commented with a chuckle. "Please, have a seat."

Rebekah thanked her, sitting down next to Evangeline as she spared her a smile, "You see, your Grace, I fairly think people can't stop gossiping about my brothers," she joked as everyone laughed.

Jocelyn nodded her head vigorously, "That is true! I happen to know a lot more about your family than my own," she exclaimed, bringing the cup of tea to her lips. "Your ancestors are from the Kingdom of Norway or so I have heard."

Mary grinned, gazing at Rebekah, "Vikings? Lovely."

"Indeed."

Rebekah, for once in her long life, had friends. As pathetic as it sounded, she had friends that she didn't have to use mind-compulsion on and they actually liked her. Mary seemed interested as she could not stop asking questions. A little after, she leaned a little over the table to be closer to Rebekah and said.

"Since it is one of my duties to care about my ladies, but also my duty as a friend. I would like to know if your brother, Lord Niklaus, is good at heart and has good intentions when it comes to our sweet Angel. I wouldn't want her to be hurt, considering we have been friends since I was a child," Mary said.

Rebekah nodded, "I can assure you my brother is good at heart and has only but good intentions when it comes to Evangeline," she reassured.

Rebekah wasn't lying and believed every word she had said. Niklaus could be good, he used to be before everything went downhill for their family but lately, they could see the old and sweet Niklaus coming back. Over the centuries, he had grown cold and heartless as they wandered on Earth, looking for a home where their nature wouldn't be a problem to anyone. It was harder to do than to say, Kol did not like to listen when it came to self-control and Finn had wished to flee with his lover but Klaus had put an end to his little plan by daggering him.

And of course, their mother had forgotten to tell her children the truth. Niklaus was the fruit of a forbidden union, which had resulted in her brother going mad and not feeling part of the family. Niklaus was a hybrid, half vampire and half werewolf, though his vampire genes seemed to take a huge part in hiding his werewolf part.

Mary brought Rebekah back as she smiled, "Then we are all glad to hear that, are we not?" The tree ladies nodded their head. "I have to leave but it was a pleasure making acquaintances with you, Lady Rebekah. Hopefully, we will share tea again," she said as they all stood up and left.

With a smile on her face, Rebekah wasted no time to go back to her quarters as she opened the door, spotting Kol as he was drinking blood from a servant he had fetched probably. He looked up at her, waving as he didn't bother to take his teeth out of her neck.

"Brother, try not to kill her. I would like to stay and so does Nik," Rebekah warned as Kol rolled his eyes, ignoring her.

Niklaus and Elijah walked in, "Kol, please, let go of that woman," Elijah ordered nicely. "Staying here demands a lot of self-control, especially from you, Kol. We cannot let anyone know what we are, except for Evangeline when the time will be right."

"How was tea with the Queen, sister?" Niklaus asked.

Rebekah raised an eyebrow at him, "Well, you would be quite surprised by what Queen Mary asked me today. She wanted to know if you were a good suitor for Evangeline."

His eyes widened, "Well, what have you told her?"

Rebekah smiled, "Only the truth, Nik. That you were good at heart and your intentions towards her were good. Was it the right thing to say?"

Niklaus smiled softly, caressing her sister's cheek, "Indeed was, sister. I take you understand how important Evangeline is to me so thank you."

Niklaus hurried to walk to the library, hoping he would stumble upon her. He browsed through the books rapidly and grabbed a random one as he started reading it. Around him, he could hear whispers and it almost made him feel uncomfortable. Suddenly, a woman cleared her throat, sitting at the opposite of him. He brought his book to down to look at her.

"Lord Mikaelson," she said. "It is good to finally see your face after hearing everyone talk about you," she added as he gave her a smile.

"And you are?" Niklaus queried, tilting his head to look at her properly. Nothing compared to Evangeline.

"Lady Kenna, a friend of Princess Claude," she replied.

Niklaus nodded, "I am sure your purposes are good, Lady Kenna. Unluckily, my heart already belongs to someone."

Lady Kenna frowned until her face softened, "Lady Evangeline," she concluded quietly, giving him a faint smile. "You are not courting her."

"I know," he replied. "And I will, when the time is right, Lady Kenna."

Lady Kenna apologised with flushed cheeks and a rather ashamed smile as she exited the library, leaving Niklaus to his book. He turned the pages until someone stood still in front of him, he looked up and smiled as he saw Evangeline. She sat in the exact same seat as Lady Kenna.

"Hello, Niklaus," Evangeline smiled. "I knew I would find you here," she added gently. "I presume your sister has told you what happened today."

Niklaus nodded eagerly, "And I want you to know that everything she said was true, Evangeline. I do want a future for us, as mad as it sounds."

Evangeline hummed, "Father is coming soon with my brothers. Perhaps you could meet them, I am certain father will love you."

He grabbed her hand, pecking the top of it, "Am I sure he will like me?" He queried.

"I quoted you multiple times in my letters to him, stating that you had been great company and an amazing suitor," she admitted tenderly, blushing so lightly. "It is perhaps ridiculous of me to talk so much of you but—"

"It is not ridiculous," he pressed, frowning. "You see, darling...Kol is actually growing irritated hearing from you," he chuckled as she joined him.

Niklaus listened to the soft sound her laughter turned into and he could not help but wish to hear them for all eternity.

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author's note, i am not getting many reads but
i guess it will soon get there, i hope though!!

edit: bye why did i write taht?? its cringe???