Reign of Obsession

Two months had passed since her coronation, and Queen Emily Aurora Mikaelson had fully immersed herself in her royal duties. The affairs of the kingdom consumed her days, leaving little time to dwell on the pressing shadow of the curse that loomed over her head. Six months—only six months left for her to live. The weight of that knowledge pressed down on her, a constant reminder of her impending fate. Despite her growing strength and command as queen, her heart was heavy with unspoken fears and a whirlwind of thoughts.

During these months, Niklaus, surprisingly, kept his distance. He hadn't pushed her or demanded more than she was willing to give. Yet, there were moments when he couldn't resist stealing kisses—quick, fleeting moments of tenderness that left her flushed and unsettled. He never crossed a line, but his presence lingered like a storm on the horizon. Though she remained distant, refusing to call him by name and always addressing him with formalities even behind closed doors, something was shifting between them.

For Niklaus, controlling his desire for Emily was a constant battle. His every instinct longed to pull her close, to have her in ways that went beyond mere affection. 

But he knew patience was the only path forward. For now, he allowed her the illusion of distance, but inside, his hunger for her was growing. How badly he wanted her, every part of her, to be his. But he exercised restraint, knowing that patience was his only option if he wanted her to come to him willingly. On the day of her coronation, when she saw her family again, she had looked so radiant, so full of joy. That memory had carried him through the turbulent months of dealing with unrest in the eastern territories of the kingdom. Now, the issue had been resolved, and he was ready to turn his attention back to his wife—with a surprise she wouldn't expect.

Niklaus felt it too, the subtle shift in their relationship. She hadn't noticed it yet, but she was slowly becoming comfortable with him. He could feel the invisible walls between them lowering ever so slightly, though she would never admit it. And he didn't press her—he knew if she realized it, she would recoil, rebuilding the barriers they had chipped away at over these two months.

Emily, though unaware of it herself, had grown into her role with unmatched grace. She took care of her people, listened to their pleas, and ruled with wisdom and compassion. In the court, there were times when she excelled even him in matters of state, her insight and leadership commanding respect from even the most hardened minisisters. The thought of it filled him with pride, not jealousy. She was, after all, his queen—a queen who had not yet realized how much power she truly wielded, not just over the kingdom but over him as well.

As the day came to a close, Niklaus stood watching her from a distance, a plan forming in his mind. He was ready to draw her closer, but he would do it carefully, ensuring she never saw his full intentions until it was too late for her to resist.

*

Emily sat in her royal court, her attention consumed by the scrolls she was meticulously reading. Dressed in a regal green gown that highlighted her sharp elegance, she bit her red lips in concentration, oblivious to Morgana and Marianne quietly exiting the room. The soft thud of the closing doors barely registered as her eyes scanned the delicate parchment in front of her.

It wasn't until she heard the sound of someone settling beside her that she looked up, startled to find Niklaus there, his presence as commanding as ever. His gaze flicked to her lips.

"I've told you a thousand times, Emily," he said, his voice low and teasing, "don't bite your lip. It tempts me." Before she could respond, he smoothly pulled the scroll from her grasp and leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers.

Emily instinctively bent back on the plush cushions, refusing to meet his kiss, but Niklaus followed her movement, his body hovering above hers as he pinned her wrists to the cushion with ease. His lips crashed against hers with a fierce intensity, tasting her as though he had been waiting for this moment for far too long.

"Stop," she breathed, pushing him away as best she could. Even with her voice steady, she could feel the shift in his demeanor, the restraint in him slipping, like a predator on the edge of losing control.

Niklaus's eyes darkened slightly, but he released her, sitting back as she hurriedly moved to the other end of the couch, putting space between them.

"Why are you here, Your Highness?" she asked, her tone colder, trying to regain her composure.

Without a word, he pulled out a small, ornate box and handed it to her. Skeptical, Emily took it and cautiously opened the lid. Inside lay a polished pocket watch. She frowned and opened the watch, finding two initials delicately engraved inside: K and E.

She looked up at him, confused.

Niklaus's lips curled into a smirk. "Klaus and Emily," he said smoothly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Emily inwardly cringed. This is so ridiculous, she thought, placing the watch on the table with deliberate indifference. "What makes you think I'll keep this with me?" she challenged, lifting her chin in defiance.

Niklaus leaned forward slightly, his brow raising in mock seriousness. "Do you want me to kiss you every hour, stealing your breath away?" he teased, his voice dark and suggestive.

A deep blush spread across Emily's cheeks, her confidence faltering as she muttered, "No… I'll keep it." Her frustration was palpable, but she knew better than to provoke him further.

"Good girl," he replied, his smirk widening. "Now, about the surprise."

Emily's eyes narrowed. Wait… another surprise? she thought, dreading what came next. How much worse could this get?

"Morgana will be handling your schedule for the next two weeks," Niklaus said, leaning back with casual ease. "You and I will be going away."

Emily tensed, her eyes flashing with suspicion. "Going where?"

"Oh, wifey," Niklaus said, the smirk never leaving his face, "we're leaving for our honeymoon." The words hung in the air like a bombshell, leaving Emily momentarily stunned.