Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and names are creative property of their owners. The plot however belongs to the author and is not allowed to use in any way without permission.

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~~PROLOGUE~~

It was a summer night. When the clocks indicated an hour was passed after midnight, the glittering night sky suddenly sliced in two parts. A thin sharp line of piercing white light stroke the sky from the north to the west, leaving a glowing trail behind. The wind blew with a force, the horses in the stable neighed restlessly, nocturnal birds cried out as if in pain; in a while everything was as it was a moment back.

Prince Hector was sitting alone in a window, looking for a way to accept what sick joke his fate was playing with him. He was mortified to imagine Princess Alicia as his wife. Being a prince had a huge number of perquisites to keep him entertained and benefited, but it also had heartbreaking disadvantages those are unfathomable to common people. Prince Hector was realizing the truth rapidly as he was turning twenty, however he was not yet prepared for the disastrous decision his father compelled him to make the same evening. He had to take the beautiful Princess Alicia, who was like a little sister to him, as his lawfully wedded wife. King Norman had already declared this to his family members and his dear friend King Robert, Princess Alicia's father.

His elder brother, the Crown Prince Adrian was with him until it was midnight. He had done everything in his power to console his brother. The fact that he was forced to take their elder brother's widow Isabella as his wife helped him a little to understand the sacrifices a prince must make in order to keep peace in his country and avoid political turmoils, though his agitation was still there hammering inside his head.

As he watched the night sky, the shooting star reminded him of something long forgotten. His mother Cassandra used to tell them bedtime stories about the stars. When there is a pure soul afflicted, and there is no earthly way powerful enough to aid the affliction, Stars come to help them with their magical powers. They come down to earth as shooting stars, and it is our duty to protect the star and it's powers because if this power goes to soemone who is not worth it it may bring disastrous effects.

There was something in the air. Prince Hector felt the wind whispering in his ears. "She needs your help, oh Prince Hector, show her your kindness and valor. Help her, protect her..." He could not recognize the voices, if those were his mother's who died when he was ten years old, or they were the ancient ghosts looming in the darkness of the night. Only two words echoed in the air. "Protect her..."

Although he was not certain if he was a pure soul himself, and if he deserved the blessings of Stars, Prince Hector rose to his feet with a decision in his mind. He had to find out this star and protect it. Even if this takes everything he had in him, he would help the star accomplish whatever task had brought it down to this planet.

Far away from the country of Matheran, beyond the mountains of Mantak and the lakes of Gyllania the fort of Queen Esther came alive as soon the residents caught a glimpse of the shooting star.

"I saw it," young Lady Rebecca ran down the stairs to the grand assembly hall. "Mother, I saw the star. It happened exactly the same way you predicted. It was so beautiful mother, but it fell somewhere around the lakes of Gyllania. We should send our men to fetch it."

"Calm down Rebecca," Lady Esther rose from her chair and walked to the ceiling-high window. "I saw it too, but it came before the time I calculated. I am not aware of the star that came down tonight but I can see in my visions, it is not the one."

"Are you implying that," Lord Elijah cleared his throat, "this star would not help our brother free himself from the curse?"

"No, Nicklaus must wait for the right time and the right Star." Esther stops speaking abruptly and closes her eyes, her lips moved and the air around her became foggy. Rebecca and Elijah exchanged anxious glances, and stood by their mother, the original witch. "A new star is to be born. A star who will have the power to heal. A star who will have the power of love. A star who will come and save my son from his misery."

The air waved as her words hit the fog. The wind started whispering.

"A new star will born very soon."

While his family discussed how long his waiting had been, and how long he had to wait once again, Klaus watched the night sky intently. He heard his mother speaking of the stars and it's magic, his mother had talked about the stars since he was cursed five hundred years ago. He stared at the night sky searching for a face, the face of a star who will save him someday. He stared for a long while, and when he saw nothing else apart from the gazillions of diamonds sparkling, he lowered his head.

Just as he moved to leave the window a smooth breeze blew, and he saw something stirring in the air. A golden glow, and a pair of eyes smiled to him. A pair of lips, soft as the petals of oink roses grazed his skin. A sweet celestial aroma permeated his room with it's divine bewitchment. A laughter echoed in the room, erasing the rising despair in him.

Klaus sighed and fell down on his bed outstretching his arms, as though embracing the beauty in his vision.

"Who are you? Why do I see you whenever I try to find the Star? Where are you?"

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Next chapter: Klaus sees Caroline for the first time.