Chapter 25: The de Martel Estate
(Ace POV)
The morning sun found Elijah and me walking through the port town, carefully observing and listening. Our enhanced hearing picked up conversations from merchants, travelers, and locals going about their daily business.
But before we'd even left the inn, we'd discovered something that changed everything.
Mikael was gone.
I'd knocked on his door that morning to inform him of our plans, only to find the room empty. His belongings, what few he'd brought, were gone—no note, no explanation, just an absence that spoke volumes.
"He left during the night," Elijah had said quietly when I told him. "While we all slept."
We'd gathered the others to break the news. The reactions were mixed.
"Good riddance," Klaus had muttered, though there was something like hurt beneath the anger.
"Where do you think he went?" Rebekah asked, worried.
"Does it matter?" Kol shrugged. "He made his choice."
Finn had stared at the floor, conflicted.
Mother had cried silently.
I'd felt the absence like a missing tooth, noticeable, uncomfortable, but perhaps ultimately for the best. "He'll be back," I'd said quietly. "Someday. And when he returns, it will be for Klaus. We all know this."
Klaus's jaw had tightened, but he'd nodded. "Then I'll be ready."
"We'll all be ready," Elijah had corrected. "He goes through all of us to get to you."
Now, as Elijah and I walked through the port town gathering information, I pushed thoughts of Mikael aside. He'd made his choice to leave. We had to make ours to move forward.
"Count de Martel holds significant land to the south," a merchant was saying to his companion. "Rich farmland, prosperous villages. His family has ruled that territory for generations."
"I heard he's looking for new trade connections," another voice chimed in. "The war with the neighboring lords has disrupted his usual routes."
Elijah and I exchanged glances. Perfect.
"Count de Martel holds significant land to the south," a merchant was saying to his companion. "Rich farmland, prosperous villages. His family has ruled that territory for generations."
"I heard he's looking for new trade connections," another voice chimed in. "The war with the neighboring lords has disrupted his usual routes."
Elijah and I exchanged glances. Perfect.
We spent the morning gathering more information. Count de Martel was indeed powerful, well-connected, and currently in a position where new allies—especially wealthy ones—would be valuable. His estate was a four-day ride inland, and he was known to be shrewd but fair in his dealings.
"He has two children," a tavern keeper told us when we stopped for wine we wouldn't drink. "Aurora and Tristan. Beautiful girl, that Aurora. Half the young nobles in France have tried to court her."
My interest sharpened at that, though I kept my expression neutral.
By afternoon, we'd learned everything we needed. We returned to the inn where our family waited.
"Well?" Klaus asked as we entered. "Did you find our golden ticket into French society?"
"Count de Martel," I confirmed. "Four days south. He's powerful, politically connected, and currently open to new relationships. Perfect for our needs."
"And how exactly do we approach him?" Finn asked skeptically. "We can't just knock on his door and ask for sanctuary."
"We present ourselves as minor nobility from the North," Elijah explained. "Wealthy traders seeking to establish connections in France. We have gold, we have manners, and we have a story that's believable enough."
"We'll need proper clothing," Rebekah observed. "We look like travelers, not nobility."
She was right. I used compulsion and gold to acquire appropriate attire, fine clothing that would mark us as people of means. It took two days to gather everything we needed and prepare ourselves.
On the third day, we set out.
---
(Four Days Later - de Martel Estate)
The castle rose from the French countryside like something from a dream. Grey stone walls, multiple towers, banners bearing the de Martel coat of arms fluttering in the breeze. Surrounding it were well-tended farmlands, a prosperous village, and clear signs of wealth and power.
"Impressive," Elijah murmured as we approached on the horses we'd acquired.
"Very," I agreed, though my mind was racing ahead. Somewhere in that castle was Aurora de Martel. In the original timeline, she'd fallen for Klaus, and it had ended in tragedy. This time would be different.
Guards stopped us at the main gate. "State your business," one demanded in French.
I responded in the same language; my accent improved from days of practice. "I am Lord Ace Mikaelson, and this is my family. We've traveled from the North seeking an audience with Count de Martel. We come with proposals for trade and mutual benefit."
The guards exchanged glances. Foreign nobility wasn't common, but it wasn't unheard of either.
"Wait here," the lead guard said, disappearing through the gates.
Klaus fidgeted beside me. "If this goes wrong—"
"It won't," I said firmly. "Trust me."
After ten minutes, the guard returned. "The Count will see you. Follow me, and remember—any hostility will be met with force."
We were led through the gates into a bustling courtyard. Servants hurried about their tasks, soldiers trained in a corner, and the whole estate hummed with organized activity. This was a well-run household.
Standing on the steps of the main hall was Count de Martel himself.
He was a tall, imposing man in his forties, with dark hair touched with grey and sharp, intelligent eyes. He wore fine clothing that spoke of wealth without ostentation, and carried himself with the natural authority of someone born to power.
"Welcome, travelers," he said in cultured French. "I am Count Tristan de Martel. My guard tells me you've come from the North with trade proposals."
I dismounted and bowed respectfully. "Count de Martel, I am Ace Mikaelson. These are my family, my brothers Elijah, Niklaus, Finn, and Kol, my sister Rebekah, and our mother Esther. We've traveled far, across the ocean, seeking to establish connections in France."
His eyes swept over each of us, assessing. "Vikings, then. Though you seem more refined than the raiders who sometimes trouble our coasts."
"We are merchants and nobles, my lord, not raiders. Our family has prospered through trade and wishes to extend our reach to France."
"I see." He studied us for a long moment. "And why come to me specifically?"
"Your reputation for fairness and prosperity reaches even to our distant shores. We seek a powerful ally who might benefit from northern goods: furs, amber, and quality metalwork. In exchange, we offer gold and the establishment of reliable trade routes."
It was a good story, believable and mutually beneficial. I could see him considering it.
"An interesting proposal," he said finally. "Come, let us discuss this properly. My servants will see to your horses."
We followed him into the castle, and I had to admit, it was magnificent. High ceilings, tapestries on the walls, evidence of culture and wealth everywhere. This was a family that had held power for generations.
He led us to a private hall where a long table was set with wine and light refreshments. "Please, sit. Tell me more about your family and your... ambitions in France."
As we took our seats, I launched into our prepared story. Elijah added details about trade routes and goods. Mother played the part of a dignified matriarch perfectly. Even Klaus managed to appear somewhat civilized.
Count de Martel asked intelligent questions, probed for weaknesses in our story, but seemed satisfied with our answers. The conversation was going well.
Then the door opened.
"Father, I heard we have guests—oh."
The voice was feminine, musical, and made everyone turn.
She was breathtaking. Auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face of delicate beauty. Her dress was elegant burgundy, and when her eyes—warm, honey-colored—met mine, I felt something shift in the air between us.
Aurora de Martel.
"Aurora," the Count said with a smile. "Perfect timing. May I present the Mikaelson family from the North?. Lord Ace, his siblings, and their mother. They're here to discuss trade."
"How fascinating," she said, her gaze never leaving mine as she glided into the room. "We so rarely receive visitors from such distant lands."
"My daughter, Aurora," the Count introduced. "And here comes my son, Tristan."
A young man entered behind her, dark-haired like his father, handsome, and carrying himself with aristocratic confidence. He nodded politely to us, though Rebekah caught his attention.
"Welcome to our home," Tristan said formally.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Elijah replied smoothly.
"Lucien!" the Count called out. "Bring more wine!"
A servant appeared, a young man about our apparent age, with light brown hair and a deferential manner. Lucien, I realized. In the show, he'd been a servant who'd fallen for Aurora, been turned into a vampire by Klaus, and caused endless trouble—another variable to watch.
"Yes, my lord," Lucien said, hurrying to pour wine.
As the conversation continued, I noticed the dynamics at play. Aurora kept glancing at me, curiosity and something else in her expression. Klaus nsawher too, his gaze lingering a moment too long. Tristan seemed captivated by Rebekah. And Lucien watched Aurora with poorly concealed longing.
Complicated, but manageable.
"So tell me, Lord Ace," Aurora said, finally speaking to me directly. "What is it like in the North? I've heard such wild tales."
"Some wild tales are true, my lady," I replied with a slight smile. "But much of it is also beautiful. Fjords that take your breath away, forests so deep you could wander for days, northern lights that paint the sky in colors that defy description."
"It sounds magnificent," she breathed. "I've always wanted to travel, to see the world beyond these walls."
"Aurora dreams of adventure," the Count said indulgently. "Though I keep telling her, a lady's place is—"
"In the home, managing the household, waiting for a suitable marriage. Yes, Father, I know." There was no bitterness in her tone, just resigned acceptance.
"Perhaps the world is changing," I said carefully. "Perhaps ladies can have adventures too."
Aurora's eyes lit up, and her smile was radiant. "I like the way you think, Lord Ace."
Klaus cleared his throat. "And what do you do for entertainment here, Lady Aurora? Surely even in such a magnificent estate, one must find ways to pass the time."
She turned to him, and I saw it—the moment their eyes met, something sparked. In the original timeline, this was where it had begun. Klaus and Aurora, drawn to each other, starting a romance that ends in heartbreak.
Not this time.
"We have hunts, festivals, tournaments," she said. "Though I confess, I find most of them rather dull. Tell me about the celebrations in your homeland. Are they as wild as the tales suggest?"
As Klaus launched into a description, I oversaw Aurora. She was certainly interested in him. But when her gaze drifted back to me, there was something different there. Something deeper.
Good.
The Count stood. "This has been a pleasant introduction, but I'm sure you're all tired from your journey. Lucien, show our guests to the east wing. We'll continue our discussions tomorrow."
"Of course, my lord," Lucien said, bowing.
As we were led to our rooms, Aurora caught my arm gently. "Lord Ace, I hope we'll have more time to talk. Your family is... intriguing."
"As is yours, Lady Aurora," I replied. "I look forward to getting to know you better."
The smile she gave me was worth crossing an ocean.
---
Later that night, after we'd settled into our rooms, my siblings gathered in mine.
"Well," Kol said, grinning. "That went better than expected."
"The Count seems receptive," Elijah agreed. "If we play this right, we could establish ourselves here for years."
"Did you see Lady Aurora?" Klaus said, and there was something in his voice. "She's..."
"Beautiful," I finished. "Yes, she is."
He looked at me sharply. "You noticed too."
"Hard not to," I said neutrally. "As did Tristan notice Rebekah, and Lucien notice Aurora."
"This could get complicated," Elijah observed.
"Only if we let it," I replied. "For now, we focus on securing our position here. Everything else can wait."
But as I lay in my unfamiliar bed that night, I knew it wouldn't wait long.
Aurora de Martel had looked at me the way she'd looked at Klaus in the original timeline.
And Klaus had looked at her the same way.