"say less"

Caroline was interrupted reading, once again. This time by the sarcastic beauty, Lucy.

"Whatcha reading?"

Caroline put her book up slightly, so Lucy could see the title. History of vampires.

"Don't you already know all about vampires? Being born one and all?" Lucy asked.

"It's a princess' duty to always keep learning." Was all Caroline responded with.

"Well that's just rubbish." Lucy snorted.

The blonde was quite shocked at the behavior and words of Lucy. "Let me guess, you're one of those princess' who is really just there to sit and look pretty as their arranged husband handles everything?"

"Excuse me?" Caroline was outraged.

"You know there are witches being held in slavery and werewolves dying at the hands of vampires every single day as you sit here and do what? Walk with books balancing on your head?"

"Witch slavery died out years ago, for your information. And not that it's any of your business- but I certainly do not balance books on my head!"

"If you really think that about witches then you need to take a closer look at your country."

"It's not my country!" Caroline stopped to compose herself. "And I'm not even queen yet."

"No not yet. But I already know you'll disappoint anyone who's not a vampire just like your mother did." Lucy retorted.

"How dare you speak of my mother that way?" She was close to storming off.

"Queen Elizabeth was an amazing queen, but only to the vampires. She couldn't care less what was happening in the other two triads. That's why so many people left to High King Klaus. Because they'd rather be protected by a mad man, than live in constant fear. I mean why do you think my father's even here in the first place. Do you have any idea how close the werewolf and vampire triads are to war?"

Caroline didn't respond. She sat there feeling slightly stupid and guilty for not knowing what was really happening in her home.

"My mother and the witch queen are the same. Everyone's in the wrong, but in a war, you won't suffer in the slightest. I only hope you do something about it instead of just sitting there."

Lucy stood up to walk away as Caroline processed her words. How dare she just come here in her own home and badmouth her mother? Who did she think she was?

As she stood up to tell Princess Lucy off, a familiar voice she hadn't heard in a while rang throughout her ears.

"And who might this blonde beauty be?" The voice said.

"No way!" Caroline turned around to reveal her best friend Elena Gilbert.

The two ran to each other and hugged tightly. The werewolf had been away in Paris with her mother and Caroline missed her dearly.

"It's amazing to see you! How was Paris?" The two sat down and Caroline let the argument with Lucy fall from her head.

"Oh I had the most amazing time. I met this man there that just really tied the whole trip together." Elena smirked as Caroline poked her for details. "Well he wouldn't tell me his name but he had the most striking blue eyes, and the softest black hair. We agreed to only be together in Paris, but I am contemplating sending someone to find my mystery man." She swooned.

"Duchess Elena Gilbert." Caroline giggled. She loved her friends wild side. The werewolf had known Caroline her entire life. Elena's mother was a vampire and her father was a werewolf, so the girl came and went, becoming a big part in Caroline's life.

"Cece! You're father wants you- oh no way! Elena!" Oliver came outside and caught sight of his friend.

"Ollie!" Elena ran to him, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He swung her around and they hugged tightly. Caroline laughed behind them as he finally set her down.

"I didn't know you'd be back today." Oliver had the biggest smile on his face. Not the sarcastic mischievous one, but the genuine playful one. The one Caroline loved.

"My father wanted us back early for some sort of meeting here." Elena waved off. "But I've yet to tell you of my journey."

"Ooh please spare no detail." The three locked arms and walked back to the castle.

Just as they got inside, Elena had finished her story of her mystery blue eyed lover. The three opened the doors and were met with their guests.

"Ah, Elena! It's so good to have you back!" King Robert smiled, hugging Elena tightly.

"Oh how I missed your hugs, Robert." She smiled into his buff chest.

"Elena, nice to see you again." Lucy got up and was almost knocked over by the girls hug. If Elena wasn't at Forbes Castle, she was being raised with the Robins.

"You two know each other." Caroline couldn't help her sigh.

"Well she is a werewolf, sunshine." Lucy sarcastically smirked to her.

"Don't call me that." Caroline death glared.

"Or what?" Lucy got closer as the smirk Caroline was growing to hate got wider.

Caroline didn't get to respond as Queen Kallista called for them to sit.

"Tension between the triads rise, but it's especially to the vampire and werewolf sides. Our people grow angry at some of the vampires who come into our town simply to taunt them." King Christian spoke.

"Witches have also been growing more defiant and creative as they spell both sides with tricks and pranks." Queen Kallista said in her powerful voice.

"Vampires are also growing increasingly violent to both sides. They think one of them murdered their queen."

Caroline's face paled. "My mother was sick-"

"Her blood was poisoned. It was announced just this morning." King Robert said gently.

Her voice got caught in her throat and Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Why do vampires think it was one of the triads to kill the queen. No one in the village could have access to a royal of such status."

"Vampires are irrational sometimes. Especially now with no queen. I'm doing my best to hold them over until my daughter can take over."

"By the way, where is Duke Stefan?" Oliver asked curiously.

"Overseas, handling something with his brother. Them, Queen Beatrice, King Huxley, and Princess Bonnie should be in tomorrow."

"It's only a matter of time until your daughter marries and takes over, perhaps we should be doing the same. Maybe new faces would help calm the people." Queen Kallista said.

"How do you mean?" Caroline asked.

"Maybe it's time for Draco to find a wife."

Draco choked on his water and Oliver patted him on the back as he wiped sweat from his head.

King Christian turned to his wife, "we agreed to wait-"

"Perhaps waiting isn't doing is any good anymore." She put a hand up. "Draco, Elena, you two are to be married in eight months time."

Elena and Draco both shared a look before putting their heads down. There was no arguing with his mother, and there was no reasoning with her queen.

"Bollocks." Lucy said angrily.

"Lucinda." The queen glared at her.

This took no effect whatsoever. "He shouldn't have to marry if he doesn't want to."

"He does want to. Don't you, son?"

Draco lifted his head slightly, not making eye contact with anyone. "Yes."

"This is just bullshit-"

"Lucinda I will not tell you again." The queen glared daggers at her outburst.

Oliver excused himself and Lucy sat angrily in her chair. Caroline held onto Elena's hand as tension and fear filled the air. She was thinking about what Lucy said earlier. This was the first royal meeting she was allowed to sit in on, and the things she heard shocked her. What was happening in mystic falls was abysmal and had to make sure she did something about it.

She didn't want to rule like her mother.

Z