𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍:
Center Stage
(1795)

"LES ROBES DE PARIS ARRIVERONT DEMAIN MIDI." Genesis announces as she drapes her fur coat over her shoulders, picking up her purse. Her dressmakers and tailors are preparing to go home after a long day of preparing the materials, outlining sketches, and testing fabrics to be used for the new season and the Opera that will be opening in the week to come. The dresses Jean made will be displayed by the windows and arrive tomorrow by noon from Paris.

"Attendez-vous à une autre longue journée demain, mesdames." Genesis gives them a grin. They responded with their amused smiles and chuckles. Genesis blew the candles that lit the boutique, the light overtaken by the dark. They exited the boutique and parted ways, each taking their own paths to their homes.

As the oil lamps flickered in the humid air, casting a warm and dancing glow upon the cobblestone streets.

Genesis is humming to herself. The walk from the boutique to Jean's mansion isn't short. She enjoyed the peaceful night after such a busy day; she never minded the walks, especially when the night was young and the moon was aglow. Her ears perked up a small sound – unnoticeable to humans, but she heard it well with enhanced hearing.

Genesis only continued her stroll, taking a left in the corner street. She heard a swift woosh of the wind behind her; she stopped, a grin spread over her face as she shook her head and continued in the empty street.

All of a sudden, she's against the wall.

Entrapped in a familiar presence, "Finally," A voice mutters as the man in front of her takes a deep breath, his lips gliding to the shell of her ear, "After two years, I've caught you." His voice is husky as he whispers. He took a whiff. The addicting scent of lavender and honey clouded his mind and devoured his soul.

Genesis only smiled, "Has it ever occurred to you, my Lord, that I let you catch me? As you've said, it has been two years, dare I say, you've been failing rather miserably, and I took pity." She's teasing him. The man before her pulled away, giving her an amused smile.

"And what do I get in return for playing this game of yours?" Elijah asks as Genesis offers her hand; Elijah takes hold of her hand and helps her balance herself away from the wall, placing a delicate kiss atop her hand.

"A reward?" Genesis tilted her head as she peered up at him; Elijah could see how her green eyes glowed at the reflection of the oil lamp above them. Something about her eyes – it is unexplainably hypnotizing.

"Your name, perhaps," Elijah tells her. It is odd; every time he questioned someone about the boutique's owner, they never seemed to know her real name. They only know her as the Lady from France. He had to earn it. Compelling them didn't work, and it only added to his intrigue.

"I thought by now you would have known my name, Lord Elijah." Genesis grins with a knowing look. Of course, she'd compel them if he wanted to know more about her. Elijah needs to work for it—after the masquerade, she stopped inducing their drinks with vervain for a day. She needs to be sure that her plan is working.

"It seems that I may have encountered some difficulties." He need not elaborate any further. She knows what kind of difficulties it was.

Genesis hums, "Serena Mercier, my lord."

"Serena," Elijah repeated as if he was testing her name. There was a hint of doubt in his features, and Genesis had seen it. It's his discretion if he believes that that is her true name. She'd had many reasons to hide her name, so it is easily believable that she is indeed from France because of her surname.

"And do I have the privilege of seeing you again, Lady Serena?" He queries, and Genesis nods. She brings her hand to his chest, smoothing out his collar. "Do you enjoy the opera, my lord?"

"Ah, the opera—a timeless art, wouldn't you agree? one can catch a fleeting glimpse of beauty in the grandeur of the performances." Elijah answers as Genesis is delighted in his answer.

"Then I'd like to cordially invite you to the opening of the Opera in the coming sennight." Genesis pulled out a white envelope with a brown stamp. Elijah then took it from her, making sure that his fingertips brushed her palm.

Genesis then leaned in, hand resting on his chest as she stood on her tiptoes, her lips brushing against the shell of his ear, whispering, "I plan to take your breath away with my performance." Genesis pulled away from him as Elijah followed her movements. She gave him a curtsy as Elijah opened the envelope and read the invitation.

"Then you'll be expecting me seated in the top box—" Elijah looks up, placing the invitation back in the envelope, but Lady Serena Mercier is gone. Elijah shook his head with a grin, tucking the envelope inside his coat as he made his way back to the Governor's house.

"My lady had a fulfilling day, I assume?" Juliette asks as Genesis enters the drawing room. Genesis hums, "The most," She drawls as she gracefully sits on the plush sofa. While Juliette places down a tray with tea and biscuits.

Genesis replayed in her mind the interaction she had with Elijah Mikaelson. She thought that meeting him would remove the thrill of their game, that it was finally over, but it only intensified further. Genesis felt his need, desire, and thirst for her attention; it was all exhilarating that it sent sparks through her veins.

"A letter from Monsieur Jean arrived this afternoon." Juliette hands her an envelope – a rather bulky one at that. Juliette sat beside her as Genesis opened the letter. Opening it, a title of ownership greeted her. Genesis didn't hide her surprise when her eyes scanned the title.

"You're the owner of this house now," Juliette muses with shock.

"It seems as though." Genesis only said as she placed the certificate title on her lap, then read the letter out loud to Juliette. Jean has decided to gift Genesis his mansion after sales have increased and been going exceptionally well because of Genesis; it's his way of sending his gratitude and the fact that Genesis has been staying in New Orleans for five years. Jean said it was only a matter of time before Genesis made an offer to buy the house from him, and Jean decided to take matters into his own hands.

"How wonderful! You are truly the mistress of this household now."

And things couldn't get any better for Genesis Ackerman.

───⊱⁜⊰───

THE INTERIOR OF THE OPERA HOUSE is a spectacle of opulence and refinement, transporting patrons to a world of elegance and sophistication. Excitement is in the air as soon as one walks through the great doors, enhanced by the sound of rustling silk and taffeta and the subtle murmur of lively discussions.

The theater's architecture is a testament to its grandeur, with golden columns, intricate moldings, and beautiful murals decorating the walls and ceiling. Hanging oil lamp chandeliers with rich lighting provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for those watching below. The scent of beeswax candles adds to the feeling of refined elegance. Gold leaves and intricate carvings adorned personal boxes surrounded by luxurious velvet drapes. Inside these boxes, socialites and nobility adorned in elaborate evening attire delighted in the exclusivity of their privileged positions.

And in a particular box closest to the center stage is where Elijah Mikaelson, along with his siblings Niklaus and Rebekah Mikaelson, awaited for the opera to begin.

"I am setting my expectations quite high for the performance this evening, brother. If you can't even sit still for even just a few minutes, then you are clearly besotted with this Lady of yours." Rebekah teases as she continues to fan herself. She's seated in the middle, in between his brothers; of course, Elijah is sitting nearer the stage, which has a fantastic view of the orchestra pit filled with talented musicians, awaiting the conductor's baton to set the stage for the upcoming operatic performance.

"Sister, you ought to remember that he brushed his witch aside like a speckle of dust when he met Lady Mercier two years ago in the masquerade ball. I personally don't see the appeal." Niklaus muses as he makes himself comfortable in his seat. Shrugging as he pretended not to take matters into his own hands, he couldn't say he wasn't intrigued with the woman who caught his brother's attention.

"Of course, you don't. You have a particular taste in redheads, Niklaus." Elijah responds with a chuckle.

"He is quite right, Nik." Rebekah releases a light giggle as Niklaus rolls his eyes.

"And you have a particular taste as well, brother. Difficult women. Can't say I'm intrigued with the game you both have been playing for two years; in my opinion, that's quite a long foreplay." Niklaus chuckles, and Rebekah scoffs.

"You've been giving your views as often as I would not have liked this evening, Niklaus." Elijah finally relaxed in his seat. Niklaus raises his hands in surrender as he shakes his head with an amused expression on his face. The heavy velvet curtains finally drew open, and the conductor began to guide his musicians.

The actors moved elegantly across the stage while donning elaborate period costumes, their vocals filling the room. The curtains drew close and opened once again, and a woman was in the center stage. Elijah stood up from his seat. Leaning against the gold railing.

His attention solely focused on the woman on stage.

The singer, draped in a resplendent gown that caught the subtle glow of the footlights, exuded an undeniable presence. And she began to sing.

And Elijah is caught in a trance. Like molten gold, the richness of her voice flowed with grace, commanding the attention of every soul present. There was a deep silence in the theater as she started to sing, only broken by the moving notes of the orchestra accompanying her. The elaborate hall echoed with the strength and subtlety of her voice, a force that could evoke the strongest emotions.

Elijah couldn't help but drown in the fullness of her voice. It's as if a goddess had graced the stage, a divinity that Elijah worshiped. Her voice became a crystalline stream, sparkling with a purity that cut, pierced, and tainted Elijah's soul. The singer's vocal control is nothing short of miraculous. Goodness, he is entirely and irrevocably enchanted by her very being.

As the final notes hung in the air, a profound silence enveloped the opera house, a silence soon shattered by thunderous applause. The opera singer, still standing center stage, bathed in the adulation of a crowd. The woman waved her hand to the audience as she curtsied.

The singer looked up to the top box.

Green meets brown.

She smiled, and he smiled too; hers is devious, and his bewitched.

She curtsied in his direction and gave him a flying kiss that he pretended to catch and place close to his heart. The curtains drew close, separating them.

Elijah released a breath that he didn't know he was holding.

Then he felt a hand patting his shoulder as Niklaus said with a knowing look.

"I understand the appeal, brother. Please, do continue your activities."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

━━ I am establishing a new rule that I won't update any chapters until the previous chapter I posted isn't receiving the amount of attention/hype (comments & votes) I would have preferred, so this time I know that ya'll actually want to read my updates. This might get a weekly update if I am satisfied with the feedback!