Ana ran her hands along the soft fabric of Katerina's dress. It was slightly baggy on her, swallowing her small frame. Not that she minded - at least it meant the other suitors would ignore her. Perhaps if she received no offers this summer then her father might allow her to study...

No, she knew it was wishful thinking. Ana could've learnt English in a few months and her father still wouldn't have batted an eyelash. Father... Where was her real one? She'd always allowed herself to wonder, to dream. Maybe he was a king, maybe he was a scholar, maybe... Maybe he was just some poor farmer her mother took pity on.

"Ana, you look charming." Katerina gushed, taking slow steps behind her sister and admiring the dress. "Thank God I brought one of my smaller dresses. We are to entertain royalty tonight, sister."

"Royalty?" Ana gawked, turning around with a horrified expression. "Katerina... I am in no state to entertain such high nobility. Surely you can do it alone?"

Katerina shook her head, gesturing to the door. "They're adamant to meet both sisters. And it wouldn't be fair on Trevor to decline, seeing as he put so much effort into arranging this. Now come Ana, we have little time."

Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, Ana followed Katerina towards the hall. She was already preparing herself for a night of boring formalities and chatter between narrow-minded nobles.

How wrong she was....

★·'¯'·★

Inside the Salvatore House, Ana sat contentedly, reading Jekyll and Hyde for what must've been the 100th time in her lifetime. Damon was nowhere to be found and, frankly, Ana was enjoying the break. He'd been treating her like porcelain for the last couple days and she couldn't figure out why. In fact, there was a lot of stuff she couldn't understand - like how the others would all stare at her like an alien, or how Elena would talk to her in more of a babyish voice. And, if Ana was anything, it certainly wasn't a baby.

"Hey honey, whatcha reading?" Damon's voice called out, just before wind slapped Ana and the book was ripped from her hands.

"Hey!" She shouted back angrily, throwing her arms in the air and snatching for her book. "Give it back. I was enjoying the peace - thanks for ruining it."

Damon smirked, tossing the book to one side. "My pleasure. Now, uh, I thought I'd let you know that we have a few errands to run, but I promise-"

"That you'll be back and then we can binge on blood together? Please, that's all I've been hearing for the last few days." Ana frowned deeply, jumping up and adding "Why can I come on your mysterious 'errands'? I swear I'm getting cabin fever sitting around! Plus, I think you forget I have five hundred years of supernatural experience, I might be able to help."

"Nope. Not happening. Uh, It's... man stuff." Damon blagged, only causing Ana to huff.

Ana rolled her eyes. "Is that why you wanted Elena to come? I think you forget that I have vampire hearing sometimes, Damon. If you don't want me there, just be honest instead of being a coward about it."

Nodding slowly, Damon replied "Fine. I don't want you there. Happy?"

Ana let him walk off with a frown pinching her lips, deciding that perhaps now wasn't the best time for an argument. She just couldn't understand it - why did everything feel so tense? The last she remembered she'd been cured - shouldn't they be celebrating?

Once more, Ana shook her head and strolled back to the sofa, searching for where Damon had thrown her book earlier. If he'd lost the book, she'd be making him pay for another 20th century edition. And they were certainly not cheap anymore.

★·'¯'·★

Trevor eyed both sisters, though they settled on Katerina with an almost hungry glint. Bending down to place a gentle kiss on each of their hands, he greeted "Katerina, Ana, how very pleased I I am that you could make it to the ball this evening. You both look breath-taking."

His gaze lingered on Katerina a moment longer as she replied "Thank you, Trevor. Me and my sister are grateful for your assistance tonight. It may secure Ana a place in court, you see."

"Hm, well Niklaus and Elijah aren't exactly vying suitors around here." A humorous smile sat on Trevor's lips, something that sparked curiosity in Ana. "However, I'm sure they'll be delighted to meet you, Katerina. You're truly one-of-a-kind."

Before Trevor could continue showering the Petrova with compliments, a dark-haired suitor strolled up to Trevor with a cordial smile, speaking with the most British accent Ana had probably ever heard.. "Good evening, Trevor. These must be the Petrova sisters... Correct?"

Trevor nodded, stepping to one side for Katerina to introduce herself. Almost starstruck, Katerina could only mutter a mere "Hello."

With pursed lips Ana watched the exchange, deciding whether or not she was going to tell them how weirdly enamoured they looked. However, instead she chose to cough rather subtly and add "Good evening, Lord. My name is Ana and this is my older sister Katerina. We've come from Bulgaria."

"Right. Forgive me. Katerina reminds me of someone." Elijah replied. He tried to hide his surprise at Ana's lack of conduct as she introduced herself first, merely adding "I'm known as Lord Elijah but, please, call me Elijah."

"A pleasure, my Lord." Katerina immediately replied, nudging Ana to curtsy as she was. The youngest Petrova did... begrudgingly.

Elijah smiled at both girls. "The pleasure is mine. It's an honour to make your acquaintance."

Once more, Ana attempted to ignore the twinkle she noticed in the Lord's eye as he gazed upon her sister. The last thing she needed was for her sister to get tied up with royalty - their father had instructed that they lay low and, whilst Ana was not usually an obedient one, she wanted to make the most of their freedom.

★·'¯'·★

Damon watched Ana as she sauntered towards the door. Rolling his eyes, he asked "Where do you plan on going, Ana? Better not be out to see Alaric..."

"So what if I was, huh?" Ana finally snapped, turning to Damon with flaring eyes "He was pretty upset at the dance, maybe I should apologise... Not that I did anything wrong for that matter. Perhaps he got the wrong idea. I mean, I did go on a walk with him before-"

"You what?" Damon cut her off, his eyes flaring. "You spoke before the dance. Wait, what did he say? How was he acting? God dammit Ana, you need to leave Alaric alone. If he gets you back, I-"

Ana's eyes widened at Damon as she yelled "God, Damon. Chill out! He just asked how I was and... and I'm not sure what happened after. The point is, it's no big deal. Plus, I thought Alaric was your friend anyway?"

Damon rubbed his neck, trying to think of how to explain this to the 'new and improved' Ana. "It's... complicated? Look, will ya just stay put? It's hard enough with Elena running off with- Ugh, look I don't need to babysit you as well."

"Babysit me?" Ana asked with disgust. "Uh, you seem to have forgotten that I'm, like, three centuries older than you. I could easily floor you, so don't even try locking me up here."

After debating whether to put Ana's theory to the test, Damon eventually said "Hmph, fine. Go get yourself killed or something, I don't care. I mean, why should I care?"

"Good attitude." Ana smirked, bopping Damon on the head. "But... I do think maybe I should give Alaric some space. He basically had a mental breakdown in that forest and I really can't be dealing with negative energy right now. God knows I get enough from you."

Trying not to look too smug, Damon shrugged. "Maybe it's for the best. Anyway... I'll see you later, kay? Remember to stay away from my bourbon!"

★·'¯'·★

"I'll be back as soon as I can." Maddox promised, fixing Klaus with a reassuring gaze. "And, as per your request, I'll make a speedy stop to the Salvatore mansion to check on Ms. Petrova."

"Yes, do hurry." Klaus urged, opening the door. "I'm anxious to get out of this body. And if anything, and I mean anything else seems off about Ana, don't hesitate to call me. As soon as I can get that Bennett witch to remove the block I am massacring every one of those idiots."

Maddox nodded curtly before walking away, Klaus closing the door right behind him.

Katherine perked up at the mention of her sister, quietly asking "What've the scooby gang done to my sister now, hm?"

"What do you think, Katerina?" Klaus snapped, glaring her with shadowed eyes. "They thought it would be entertaining to play with her memories of me. The jokes on them though, because as soon as Ana's block is removed she'll slaughter them all. I very much look forward to that."

"Ditto. Perhaps Ana will also knock some sense into you, reminding you to let me go-"

"Don't get your hopes up, love." Klaus chuckled to himself, adding "You have centuries worth of revenge waiting for you. Just remember... All these years I've spent in grief, I could've been with your sister. That's your mistake. Now I will never let her out of my sight."

Katerina scoffed. "You think you have my little sister under your thumb? Last time I checked the 'scooby gang' had complete control of her past."

"Perhaps. But they're bound to mess up at some point and when they do, I'll be waiting." Klaus smirked to himself. Slightly sobering up at the idea of seeing his fiancé again, he pondered "You know... I always had noble intentions for your sister. You had no reason to prevent our marriage. I would've let her live out her human life in happiness within the court, having everything her heart desired."

"I never doubted your intentions. But riddle me this - what happened when Ana began to age and you stayed... youthful? Imagine the pain she would've felt aging and withering whilst you remained immortal. It's a fate worse than death." The doppelganger countered with a bitter tone, tilting her head at Klaus.

Shaking his head, the Hybrid tutted. "No... No, you turned Ana for your own selfish needs. Just because you didn't want to be alone, doesn't mean you needed to ruin her life. Have you even seen the walls she has up now? She used to be so... so carefree."

"She's changed. We all have, throughout the years. Haven't you considered that she won't want you back?" Katherine suggested, knowing she was crossing a line but she couldn't help herself.

Straight away Klaus got up to her face, his hot breath against her face as he muttered in the lowest voice "She will want me, how dare you suggest such an absurd idea. I've seen her heartache with my own eyes - the destruction years of loneliness has done to her." His pupils dilating, his ordered "Now sit down and act like the obedient doppelganger you should be."

Katherine slumped on the sofa as she went back to feeling sorry for herself, as usual.

★·'¯'·★

"So where is this mysterious host we've heard so much about?" Katerina questioned Elijah, gently nudging Ana in an attempt to get her to engage more. "Ana has been anxious to make his acquaintance."

Elijah smiled over at the petite sister who was absently staring at the hall. Turning back to Katerina, he replied "He's fashionably late. He likes to make an entrance." Upon seeing Klaus emerging from the stairwell, he gestured and added "Here he is."

Niklaus sauntered through the crowds of people to where Katerina and Ana stood. Ana found herself trying to look away, not wanting to seem as star-struck as the other ball members. What was so important about this noble? It was as though everybody just fell at his feet.

As soon as he approached, Ana could feel his eyes on her, scanning the sack of a dress over her figure. Once more, she diverted her attention to the candles doting the room. However, she was forced to lock eyes with his diamond ones when his lips caressed her hand. "You must be Katerina's younger sister, Ana. Hm?"

"Perhaps. Depends who you ask - I'm sure my father would argue that I'm no part of this family, Lord Niklaus." Ana mused, gazing past Niklaus' soft eyes to the guests who were currently surrounding them.

With a grin, he replied "Niklaus is the name my father gave me. Please, call me Klaus. And pay no mind to the guests, they must be as awestruck as I am by your beauty, Ms. Petrova."

Ana tried to fight her blush, but nothing could stop the crimson crawling across her cheeks. "Are your compliments common in this court, Lord Klaus?"

"Hardly. I have the finest taste in the land." Klaus bragged, offering his hand. "Now, would it be unruly of me to steal you away from the eyes of these vying suitors? I must learn more of your journey, Ms. Petrova."

"I suppose." Ana smiled smugly, curtsying towards Elijah before taking Klaus' hand and escaping to the garden with the blonde Hybrid.

★·'¯'·★