Chapter 21: Shadows of the Past II

As the car glided through the streets, the heavy air inside began to lift. The three women, still grappling with recent revelations, shifted their focus to a much-needed respite—shopping and a spa day. Yet, the echoes of Mikaelson drama lingered, casting shadows over their seemingly mundane activities."Caroline, darling, let's put aside the Mikaelson madness for a moment and indulge ourselves," Rebekah suggested, a playful glint in her eye. "A little retail therapy never hurts anyone.""Yeah, I could use a distraction," Caroline replied, though her brow furrowed in concern. "But seriously, what Rebekah said about the Mikaelsons—is it all true?""Of course it's true," Rebekah affirmed, her tone turning serious. "We're a complicated bunch, but we stick to our rules."Katherine interjected, "I never thought it was this intense. I always assumed it was just Klaus being Klaus.""Oh, it's much more than Klaus being Klaus," Rebekah replied, her voice firm. "We're a family with a long, complicated history. Rules and promises are what keep us together, even if they're brutal."The car pulled up to an extravagant shopping district, and the trio stepped out, entering a world of luxury boutiques. As they browsed racks of designer clothes, shoes, and accessories, the conversation shifted."So, what's the plan now?" Caroline asked, concern creeping back into her voice. "Will Damon truly suffer the consequences as you say?""Caroline, love, it's not just about Damon. It's about maintaining the Mikaelson legacy. Our kind needs to respect our rules, or chaos ensues. Klaus may seem whimsical, but he's very serious about these things," Rebekah explained."But do we have to go through with this punishment? Is there no other way?" Katherine questioned, her voice laced with doubt."There's always a choice," Rebekah replied, "but choices come with consequences. We can't afford to be lenient. The Mikaelsons are known for being ruthless."After a successful shopping spree, the trio headed to a luxurious spa. The atmosphere shifted from tension to relaxation as they indulged in pampering treatments."I just can't get over the fact that we're dealing with ancient vampires who have these elaborate rules and consequences," Caroline mused."There aren't many rules, Caroline," Rebekah said, her tone turning serious again. "Only one: don't compel someone to your bed. Teach the vampires you know until they can function in this world. If they can't even follow these simple rules, they should be prepared for the consequences."Amidst the soothing ambiance of the spa, the weight of the Mikaelson history seemed to temporarily lift. For a while, they were just three women seeking refuge from the storm of their supernatural existence."So, what now? Are we returning to face whatever Kol has planned?" Katherine asked, a hint of anxiety in her voice."We can't avoid it," Rebekah replied with a resigned sigh. "Let's just enjoy the peace while we can. And when we return, we'll deal with whatever chaos Kol has unleashed."The trio immersed themselves in the spa experience, savoring the calm before the storm. Little did they know, the Mikaelson drama was far from over, and the choices they made in the coming days would shape the fate of their supernatural existence.The spa day had offered a temporary escape, but the Mikaelson mansion awaited, laden with unresolved tensions and a looming grand ball. The trio returned, adorned with their new purchases, ready to face whatever challenges the Mikaelson family had in store."Well, that was a delightful distraction," Rebekah said with a hint of irony, "but I suppose we can't avoid the Mikaelson madness any longer.""I just hope Kol's not conjuring up more chaos. I've had enough drama for a lifetime," Katherine added, a weariness creeping into her voice.Later, Katherine dropped Caroline off at her home before taking Rebekah to her own residence, awaiting judgment. She felt the weight of uncertainty; despite being promised her freedom, she did not trust Klaus to follow through on Kol's orders. But she had a contingency plan in place, and she intended to see it through.I believe these 2 rules should be basic ones that exist otherwise some smart asshole would have had the world in his palm the issue is because well its Compulsion