CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE    /    ACT TWO

Blind And Silent

ENGLAND, 1492

"So where is the mysterious host I've heard so much about?"

Katerina's voice lingered throughout the room, her hands behind her back and her head held high. Much like all of the other higher nobles, she almost made it look like she belonged there.

Annelise held her hands folded in the front of her dress, her eyebrows furrowed as she eyed the guests. She walked beside her sister, pretending as if she was just like her, though her mind was elsewhere.

The party was large, filled with people from numerous different wealthy families and various backgrounds. Their clothes were elegant, their heads were held high, their posture was neat, and they gave off a high sense of superiority.

She almost felt out of place. Even beside her own sister.

Nearly no one around wished to speak with them. Not when neither of them carried high titles, except for two.

The host's brother, Elijah Mikaelson, for one.

"Fashionably late." He replied, a goblet full of wine in one hand with the other held behind his back. "He likes to make an entrance."

"I've heard stories of him." Annelise spoke, brushing her hair out of her face as she turned to face Elijah.

"I'm hoping they were positive."

"Just that he was.. a powerful lord." She offered him a faint smile as the three took a halt once they reached the dining table. "And he's late to his own party?"

"He likes to make an entrance." From the door, a tall figure caught their eye. He strode into the room, his eyes taking in everyone who stood before him as he did. They watched him in awe, as well as fear, noting his appearance.

His skin glowed gold, his blond curls falling to frame a handsome face and sparkling blue eyes.

As he examined the room, his eyes led to a stop at Katerina, and then to Annelise. His lips parted slightly, his eyes softening.

Eventually, he continued on down the small steps before him, moving toward where the twins waited. A slight smirk graced his face.

"Katerina, Annelise.. may I introduce to you.." Elijah spoke as his brother approached.

"The Lord Niklaus."

The two bowed in his presence, their actions mirroring each other. Annelise felt
herself unable to keep her eyes off him,  his every movement drawing her attention.

And he did the same for her.

He reached out for Annelise's hand,  bringing it up to meet his lips. "Niklaus is the name my father gave me." He said, the tone of his voice smooth. His voice had the same timbre as his appearance.

"Please, call me Klaus."

Annelise blinked rapidly as she found herself returning to reality. Her heart beating erratically against her ribs.  He wasn't what she expected at all.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Klaus." Katerina spoke politely. "I am Katerina, and this is my sister, Annelise."

"Pleasure to meet you both." Klaus nodded, his eyes still not leaving Annelise's own. "And where have you come from?"

"We are new to town, my Lord."

"The two are from Bulgaria." His brother  added.

"Zradevei, Annelise." Klaus introduced himself once more, smiling warmly.

A smile exchanged between the sisters, a knowing look on Katerina's face and a flustered look on Annelise's.

"You speak Bulgarian?" Annelise questioned, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Here and there." His eyes shifted to Kateirna and then to Elijah's. "I hope neither of you mind, I would like to have a moment alone with her."

"Me?" Her smile only grew and the pink tint to her cheeks seemed to increase.
A sly smile slipped onto his face as Klaus nodded. She met eyes with her sister and the two shared another knowing grin.

Elijah nodded. "No, not at all. Happy birthday, brother."

At his words, Klaus took Annelise by the hand, leading her out of the crowd.

                             Three months had passed since the day Annelise met Niklaus. Since then, the two had grown close together. She knew of his reputation and could easily imagine why he wanted her with him.

The way he was always so kind, attentive, charming...  it made her head spin just thinking about it. The way his hands fit against hers. How his scent was always so fresh. How he kissed her whenever she allowed him too. How he cared about her and cherished her. How he took her and her sister in without question.

How everything seemed perfect when he was near.

Annelise sat on her bed, of which Niklaus had offered her months before, looking through an assortment of dresses he had brought for her.  One of her favorites hung in the closet, one of many Klaus had purchased after their first meeting. Her eyes scanned over the white silk gown, admiring its intricate embroidery and softness. It truly showed her features and her grace, complimenting her natural beauty as he put it.

A knock on the door caused her to look up,  surprised. She quickly tucked the dress away and smoothed out the skirt of her simple dress, standing tall before answering.

The door swung open with a sudden force, and her face fell once she realized it was her sister. "Oh.." Annelise stammered, taken aback by her arrival, before relaxing. But it didn't take long before her frown twisted into a smile as she took her sister by the hands. "I am so glad you're here, Katerina!" She let out an airy laugh though her sister did not reciprocate her joy. "I have something to tell you! It is of Niklaus and I.."

Her sister stood there silently, as if she had seen a ghost. Her usually bright and happy gaze was dulled by worry. "Is something wrong?" Annelise's head tilted to the side as her eyes scanned her carefully. Her brow creased with concern, holding her sister's hands tighter.

But Katerina didn't utter a word, only took her by the arm and suddenly pulled her down the halls as if she herself didn't know where she was going but walked with a sense of urgency.

"Stop!" Annelise gasped, her legs protesting as she tried to keep up with her sister's brisk pace. "Katerina, let go!" But her sister didn't seem to notice or care, and kept dragging her along with her. As they descended several stairs, Annelise noticed her dragging her to the door leading outside.

Once she was finally free of the house and out into the garden, Annelise stopped to catch her breath as her sister released her grasp. She couldn't quite fathom what her sister was doing.

She stared at her as she drew herself back together, adjusting her skirt, before meeting her sister's eyes again. "Is something wrong?"

Her sister's eyes darted around, as if searching for something. A look of confusion clouded her expression, however she soon regained composure and looked back at Annelise. Her eyebrows furrowed as she searched her sister's eyes, as if trying to find the answer in her.

"Ann, we can't stay here anymore." Her voice lowered, lowering into a whisper. The corners of her mouth began to turn downward, a frown marring her beautiful features.

Annelise's brows knit tightly together as she bit her lip. "I don't understand..." She trailed off.

"Niklaus.. Elijah, they aren't the men we believed them to be." She said, her voice barely audible, yet carrying a note of anger within it.

"Katerina, you aren't making any sense. Please.. calm yourself." Annelise pleaded with her, holding her hands out to try to ease her agitation. Her frown deepened as she glanced towards the garden beyond the doors.

"Annelise!" A familiar voice called from behind them. Their heads whipped to the side, spotting the tall lord, Niklaus, walking toward them.

Katerina gripped her sister's arm tighter and her entire body tensed. A shiver went down Annelise's spine as her gaze fell upon Niklaus, a feeling of dread rising inside her as she watched him approach. A feeling she'd never felt when she looked into his eyes. His steps were slow, or at least that's what it seemed to her. His face was swifting into a scowl every few seconds, his shoulders slumping forward as if exhausted. She watched as he stepped closer to them, stopping a foot away from Annelise, his eyes scanning her, then her sister. There was a dark shadow in them that made Annelise almost feel sick.

"Is all well with you two?" He finally spoke, and Katerina almost flinched.

"Indeed, my lord." Her answer was quick and short. Annelise swallowed thickly as she watched her sister's back stiffen as she glared daggers into Niklaus.

"Are you sure?" His gaze shifted to Annelise, his eyes narrowing as they held a look of disdain laced within them. "You appear... troubled, Katerina."

"No sir, I am fine.." She answered quietly, looking him in the eyes as she shook her head. "There's no need to trouble yourself further for my wellbeing, Niklaus."

Niklaus stared at her, unblinking, before turning his attention to Annelise. "As for you, Annelise?"

"My lord?" She whispered, unsure of what he was asking of her.

"Are you alright?"

She opened her mouth as if she was going to explain, but hesitated, a small blush forming on her cheeks as she avoided his gaze and turned to Katerina.

Her sister gave her a knowing look, pleading with her eyes to lie.

"Well?" Niklaus inquired with narrowed eyes, his tone harsh and demanding.

"Yes, I am perfectly fine, Niklaus." She managed to choke out, still refusing to make eye contact. He gave her an annoyed glance before turning his gaze to Katerina.

"I see." He muttered with a nod of his head, his eyes flickering between the sisters. He took a step closer to her, his face inches from hers. He stared intently for a few moments before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

Annelise pulled away after a few moments, a frown crossing his face before straightening his posture.

"In that case, I will leave you two be. Have a wonderful evening." With those words, he slowly spun on his heel and walked in the opposite direction as if nothing had happened.

A tense silence filled the air between the two women as they waited until Niklaus was out of sight and earshot before anyone spoke.

Once he was gone, Annelise sighed and turned to her sister who looked back at her with a concerned gaze.

"We have to go, now." Katerina spoke sternly, grabbing her wrist, pulling her away from the door. The girl's voice was silent, but her mind was loud with countless thoughts and questions.

But she stayed silent. As always, she stayed silent.

She allowed her sister to pull and tug at her, even if she didn't know where she was taking her or why. Because she trusted her sister with everything in her. Because she loved her and would do anything for her. So as she followed her sister deeper into the forest of trees, she did not question.

But as she brought her along, her dress ripping on branches and her knees scraping against the logs, she realized it was the last the she'd ever see Niklaus. The realization struck her like lightning as it left her cold, hollowed and broken. She'd forever be haunted by the memory that the last look in his eyes she'd ever seen was the look of disdain.

So she continued to let her sister drag her without question.

Silently.

AUTHORS NOTE
i really dont wanna write the next chapter so much random shit happens and i hate writing fight scenes