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OPHELIA STARED AT HERSELF IN THE mirror, flattening out the flowy emerald dress that fit her body. She had to admit, she was a little nervous to walk down the stairs in front of everyone, but she told herself that she would try her best to contain her confidence.

Hearing a subtle knock on the door, she saw Finn standing there with an unreadable expression on his face. Ophelia hasn't known her uncle Finn for too long, but she would like to get to know him.

"Hello, Finn. Can I do something for you?" Finn began to walk closer to Ophelia, making her stumble back, slightly intimidated by his tall height.

"I would like to give you something." She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, wondering what Finn was talking about. Soon after, he reached in his suit pocket to reveal a gorgeous emerald green diamond necklace in his hands.

"Darling, I know we haven't known each other for a long time, however, I would love to get to know my enchanting niece. I've always wanted a daughter and quite frankly, you're the closest person to that."

A tug on the edge of her lips started to form as she genuinely felt the emotions from her uncle. "Thank you, uncle Finn, I appreciate the wonderful gift. Um, can you..." Ophelia lifted her hair as Finn proudly walked over to her and put the necklace on her neck.

"You look dashing tonight, Ophelia. Shall we?" Finn stuck out his hand for Ophelia to take. She gladly accepted and they went downstairs to the rest of the crowd, the sounds of music and voices escalating.

༻❁༺

Damon stared at Ophelia as she walked down the stairs, in awe at the sight of the beautiful girl. His smile read more than it showed. The happiness that purified his heart was something that only Ophelia could do to him.

"Close your mouth, Damon. Don't want to choke on flies." Ophelia laughed softly at the sight of Damon staring at her.

"For the record, I wouldn't choke on flies, because I already choked on your beauty, Lia." The blush that crept on the girls face certainly showed Damon how she was flattered by his generous compliment.

Ophelia and Damon's arms were linked with each other as they walked around, greeting random people with a smile. The pair soon ran into the mayor as they talked about being surrounded by the oldest vampires in the world. Kol soon appeared in Ophelia's sight, making her smile brightly.

"Mayor Lockwood, we haven't formally met. I'm Kol Mikaelson. I hope your lovely town embraces us just as much as we plan to embrace it." Kol gently pecked the mayor's hand and his attention soon diverted to Damon who had his hand out for him to shake.

"Damon Salvatore, have we met?" Kol glanced at his hand before looking up at him. The smug smile plastered on his face was certainly something as Ophelia glared at her uncle to behave. But of course, he didn't listen.

"I've met a lot of people. And you don't particularly stand out." Ophelia mentally face palmed as Kol stuck out his arm for her to take. After she excused herself from Carol, she smacked her uncle's arm harshly.

"Really, was that necessary?" Kol gently pat his niece's hand that was wrapped around his arm.

"Yes, love, it was. If Damon is going to be a possible suitor, then there is much more that I have to discuss with him." Ophelia playfully rolled her eyes and soon unliked her arm with Kol. Spotting her father, Ophelia decided to walk to Elijah and nonchalantly swiped the drink out of his hands, but he quickly took it back.

"Your underage." Elijah swiftly chugged the rest of his drink with a small smirk tugging on the side of his lips. Ophelia shook her head sarcastically as she smiled back at her father. His smile was notably contagious and Ophelia loved to see her dad smile. It was something her life lacked ever since she woke up from that long slumber.

The father-daughter duo soon arrived at the staircase to announce the traditional dance that will happen soon after. Ophelia was standing next to Elijah and she could see all eyes staring at her from the bottom of the staircase. She had to admit, it was slightly unsettling to see all of these eyes on her, but the dress definitely boosted her confidence.

As the crowd started to disperse into the ballroom, Ophelia saw Damon waiting at the bottom of the staircase for her. "Shall we, m'lady?"

"Of course."

༻❁༺

Damon and Ophelia both danced graciously as their eyes never left one another. Shortly afterward, the pair disbanded to find a new partner and for Ophelia, that partner was Elijah.

"Well hello. I see we are practicing for our father-daughter wedding dance." Elijah smiled brightly at the thought of being in his daughter's future. For a century, he knew that his daughter would eventually get married and boy was he not prepared, knowing how it can be soon, considering how Elijah counts years as a vampire.

"Well, I still see you as my little girl, so don't get too excited yet." Ophelia couldn't help but smile at his protectiveness. The dance soon ended with Elijah placing a kiss on her hand as Ophelia bowed towards him. From her peripheral vision, Ophelia saw Esther on the staircase, staring at her intently.

As she was about to follow her up the stairs, she was interrupted as someone grabbed her wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"Getting air."

"Ophelia Daphne Mikaelson, do not lie to me." Elijah used the full name card. Ophelia knew he was dead serious now. Sighing in defeat and considering Elijah's temper, she told him that she was about to go upstairs.

"I'll be fine, dad. Don't worry about me. I know Esther won't hurt me." Elijah was taken aback, hearing her call him 'dad' for the first time since 1922. It sparked happiness in him to hear that as a father. Ophelia continued to walk up the stairs as she picked up her dress so she won't trip.

Seeing the only open door, Ophelia cautiously went inside, not really sure what she was about to walk into.

"Ah, Ophelia, it's wonderful to finally talk to you again. So have you considered if I could bring back your memories?"

"I have and I decided that I want my memories back." Ophelia knew she wouldn't love her friends or family any less, so it'd be worth it if there were any risks.

"Okay then, but I must warn you, it will hurt." Ophelia nodded as Esther started to place her hands on top of her head. She was chanting a spell and the pain started to surge in her body.

After letting out a bone-chilling scream, Elijah and Damon both flashed upstairs, wondering what the commotion was about. The scream wasn't loud enough for humans to hear, but it was certainly loud enough for vampires.

"Don't touch her, I'm returning her memories." This made both of the men stop in their place. They desperately wanted to help Ophelia, but they also knew she wanted her memories back.

After a minute of agonizing pain, Elijah caught Ophelia, preventing her from hitting her head on the ground. Her eyes were slowly fluttering open and the first sight Ophelia had was the worried expression on her father's face.

"Ophelia?" Elijah wasn't sure how she would react considering if something even worse happened to her impaired mind.

"Remember the time I was around seven and I drank uncle Klaus' coffee and I thought it was juice? Remember my terrified face?" Elijah laughed and smiled at the precious memory. He hugged his daughter once more and Damon couldn't help but feel happy for the pair. Seeing the girl he cared for deeply with the family she had back, made him happy.

"Dad, I can't breath." Elijah was pretty much suffocating her as he was hugging her with all of his love. He immediately let go and Ophelia let out another relieved laugh.

She finally had her childhood memories back, but unfortunately, that came with a price.

hope you all enjoyed this chapter lovelies!!!! please comment and vote mwah!!!💗 ALSO TYSM FOR 8K READS BAES.