Emily's eyes fluttered closed, exhaustion finally taking over. As she drifted off, she murmured his name one last time, and Niklaus, despite the war raging inside him, felt a surge of protectiveness. He held her close, watching over her as she slept peacefully in his arms, knowing that when she woke, the conversation they needed to have would be inevitable. But for now, he let her rest, his heart still racing, but his mind at peace knowing he had done the right thing.
Emily woke up with a pounding headache, her head throbbing as if a hammer were being slammed against her skull. She groaned, trying to stretch out the stiffness from last night, but the sensation of fabric slipping down her body jolted her. She blinked, still groggy, only to realize she was no longer in her dress, just a petticoat—open at the back, leaving her half-exposed. Panic rose in her chest as fragments of last night flooded her mind—her own hands tangling in Niklaus's hair, the way she had moaned his name, how she had kissed him with desperation, begged for him to touch her.
"Oh God, what have I done?" Emily whispered to herself, her mind racing in disbelief. She could see the moments play out in her head—the fierce kisses, her body pressing up against his, her initiating everything. Her heart pounded, cheeks burning with shame. "Jesus, Emily, what have you done?" She buried her face in her hands, wanting to disappear.
As if on cue, a familiar voice broke the silence, low and teasing, filled with amusement.
"Nothing you should regret, princess," Niklaus said, approaching her from the corner of the room with a glass of water. His eyes danced with amusement, a knowing smirk on his lips. "I must admit, it was quite the spectacle, watching you transform from a kitten into a wild tigress."
Emily's face flushed even deeper, her skin burning under his gaze. She wanted to sink into the floor. "You—You took advantage of me!" she sputtered, her voice high-pitched with indignation, though she was desperately trying to grasp onto anything that would shift the blame off herself.
Niklaus chuckled, his smirk widening, his eyebrow raised in amusement. "Took advantage of you? My, my, what a little liar you are, princess." He stepped closer, his towering presence sending shivers down her spine. "You were the one who started everything," he said, his voice dipping lower, more intimate, as his eyes traced her form. "You kissed me, you begged for more."
"I was drunk!" Emily shot back, flustered and frustrated, her heart racing. She struggled to maintain her dignity, but she knew she was losing the battle. "And it wouldn't have happened if you hadn't asked me for that stupid, stupid dance!" She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to deflect her own culpability.
Niklaus leaned in, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. His eyes glinted with dark humor as he spoke. "Oh? Are you saying that a mere dance melted your heart?" He tilted his head, smirking down at her as if he was enjoying every second of her discomfort. "That a simple dance made you lose all control, princess?"
Emily's breath hitched. His voice was low and mocking, and she felt trapped, her mind racing for a way out. "I—I'm leaving," she declared abruptly, stepping toward the door in an attempt to escape the overwhelming tension.
Before she could even reach the handle, Niklaus's strong hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back. With a swift motion, he spun her around and positioned her in front of the large mirror that adorned the room. Their reflection told a different story—Niklaus standing tall and commanding, while Emily's flushed face and disheveled appearance mirrored the chaos she felt inside. He gripped her waist firmly from behind, his dark gaze holding hers in the mirror.
"You're not going anywhere," Niklaus whispered, his voice low and possessive. "From now on, you are staying here, princess." His eyes locked onto hers through the reflection as he spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument. "All of your belongings have already been moved to this room. Everything here is now yours."
Emily blinked, her breath catching in her throat as his words sank in. "What do you mean… everything is mine?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she stared at him in the mirror, confusion and something else swirling in her chest.
Niklaus leaned down, his lips grazing her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "You belong to me now," he said, his voice dark and filled with promise. "This room, this castle, this life. It's all yours. But make no mistake, Emily, so am I."
Her heart raced, a mix of fear and something far more dangerous coursing through her veins. "You can't just decide that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but even she didn't believe her own words.
Niklaus's eyes darkened, his hand tightening around her waist. "I can, and I have," he growled softly. His lips brushed the side of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. "This is your room now. You are mine, and I am yours. There's no turning back."
"Get ready, princess. Your brother has come to visit you," Niklaus's deep voice broke through Emily's thoughts as he placed a gentle kiss on her temple and left the room. His warmth lingered for a moment, but soon gave way to the cold rush of reality. Emily's heart raced as she quickly dressed, her mind spinning. She had fallen for the beast, and now, with the curse tightening its grip, her time was running out.
After hurriedly dressing, Emily made her way to the garden, where she saw Adrian standing. Her heart swelled at the sight of her brother—her constant, her anchor in a world filled with chaos.
"Adrian!" she called, her voice shaky, but full of affection. She rushed into his arms, clinging to him as if the weight of her secret might crush her if she let go.
"Emily," Adrian murmured, holding her tight before stepping back to study her face. "How are you, really?"
Emily took a deep breath, trying to hide the storm inside her. "I'm managing," she replied, offering a weak smile. But as they walked through the garden, surrounded by the beauty of the blooming flowers, she knew she couldn't keep lying to him. Not to Adrian.
He glanced sideways at her, his concern evident. "You look... tired," he observed, his voice full of brotherly worry. "What's wrong?"
Emily stopped, her gaze turning upward toward the bright, unforgiving sun. She bit her lip, feeling the weight of the truth pressing down on her, demanding to be spoken. "My powers are under control, Adrian," she began quietly, "but… my body's not."
Adrian's steps faltered, and his eyes darkened with alarm. "What do you mean?" His voice was low, but there was a tremor of fear in it.
Emily sighed, her eyes filling with unshed tears. "The curse, Adrian. It's happening. My body is decaying, little by little. I can feel it. I have five months left before…" She choked on the last words, her voice breaking.
Adrian's face paled, and his fists clenched at his sides. "No. No, don't say that," he growled, his voice laced with anger and helplessness. "We can still find a way. Father's been searching tirelessly—he found some grimoires. We'll keep looking. There has to be something!"
Emily's heart ached at the desperation in his voice, but she couldn't share his hope. "I want to believe that," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But it's getting harder every day. I feel it, Adrian. It's like there's a clock inside me, ticking down. I don't know how to stop it."
Adrian's expression hardened, his protective instincts kicking in. "Does he know?" he asked, his voice cold as he mentioned Niklaus. "Does Niklaus know what's happening to you?"
Emily's throat tightened, and she shook her head, looking away. "No," she whispered. "I haven't told him. I don't even know how."
Adrian's face twisted with anger. "You should've never been forced into this marriage," he spat. "Niklaus—he's dangerous, Emily. He's ruthless. You shouldn't have to face this alone, and certainly not with him."
Emily's chest tightened at his words, but something inside her stirred—something fierce and protective. "That's where you're wrong, Adrian," she said quietly, her voice stronger than before. "Niklaus… he's not the monster you think he is."
Adrian blinked, his anger giving way to confusion. "What do you mean? He's the reason you're trapped in this marriage, the reason you're here."
Emily's gaze softened, and her heart began to race. She hadn't admitted this to anyone, not even to herself, until now. But the truth was undeniable. "He's the one who understands me," she confessed, her voice thick with emotion. "He sees me, Adrian. Not as a cursed princess, not as something fragile. He treats me like I'm strong, like I'm precious… but not weak."
Adrian's eyes widened in shock. "You're telling me… that you care for him?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Emily hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yes," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I've fallen for him." The words felt like a release—a confession that had been trapped inside her for so long. She fell for the beast.
Adrian stared at her, speechless for a moment. "Emily…" he started, but his voice faltered. He shook his head in disbelief. "You love him?"
"Yes," she repeated, the truth finally sinking in. "I do. And I don't know how to tell him—about the curse, about everything."
Adrian's face softened, and he let out a heavy sigh. "You have to tell him," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "He deserves to know the truth."
As Adrian released her, he looked at her with a newfound understanding. Emily Aurora Niklaus Mikaelson,Emily took a deep breath, her heart racing in her chest. "I'll tell him," she whispered to herself, the resolve in her voice trembling slightly. She made her way toward Niklaus's study, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She needed to be honest with him, to share the truth of her condition and her fears. Yet, the weight of what she had learned about Lord Erhall was heavy on her shoulders.
As she approached the door, Marianne, her maid, arrived with a troubled expression. "Your Highness," she said, her voice barely concealing her concern. "Do you know that Lord Erhall has been killed? He was found... brutally murdered."
Emily's breath hitched, and she felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The implications of Marianne's words were clear. Niklaus's wrath had been swift and merciless. The man who had disrespected her, even subtly, had paid the ultimate price. The realization hit Emily like a tidal wave, the shock of it leaving her breathless. Niklaus had meant every word he had said about protecting her, about burning the world for her if necessary.
"Leave me alone, Marianne," Emily said, her voice hollow and distant. She turned and walked away, the pain in her chest intensifying. Her heart felt like it was breaking in two, the pieces scattering with each step she took.
That night, as Emily stood by the grand window overlooking the kingdom, the cool night breeze swept through the room, carrying with it the faint hum of the city below. Her thoughts were a swirling tempest, her gaze fixed on the horizon as she fought the turmoil within her. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her into a firm yet gentle embrace.
"What the hell?" she exclaimed, her body stiffening as she turned her head to find Niklaus behind her.
Niklaus raised an eyebrow at her reaction, his grip loosening slightly as he studied her. "What happened, princess?" he asked, his tone more amused than concerned.
Emily turned fully to face him, her expression shadowed by pain. "Did you kill Erhall?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Niklaus's smile faded, his intense gaze softening as he met her tear-filled eyes. "I did," he admitted without hesitation. "You know very well I won't tolerate anyone insulting my wife."
Emily's heart twisted at his words, torn between anger and sorrow. "Why do you have to be so intense, Niklaus?" she asked, her voice breaking as she stepped away from him. She made her way to the massive bed, her movements slow and heavy, as though the weight of the night had finally caught up to her.
Climbing under the silken sheets, she turned her back to him, silent tears slipping down her cheeks. Niklaus followed her without a word, slipping under the covers and wrapping his arms around her once more. His embrace was surprisingly gentle, his lips brushing softly against her forehead.
"I'm sorry, princess," he whispered, his voice low and filled with uncharacteristic tenderness. "But after this, no one will even think about laying a finger on you." He pressed another kiss to her cheek, his thumb carefully wiping away the tears she couldn't hide.
Emily closed her eyes, her body rigid in his arms. "I'm tired. Let me sleep," she murmured, her tone void of emotion as she turned further away from him.
Niklaus sighed but didn't push further, his arms tightening protectively around her.
But Emily's mind was far from rest. The truth clawed at her, the secret she bore weighing heavier with each passing day. She couldn't tell him. If Niklaus could kill a minister for an insult, what would he do if he discovered her secret? That she was dying? The thought alone chilled her to the bone.
If he knew, she was certain he'd burn the world itself to ashes.
And so, she shut her eyes, willing herself to escape into the darkness of sleep, hoping that when morning came, this nightmare would somehow be over.