𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑:
A purpose
(1790)

GENESIS GATHERED INFORMATION LIKE SHE WAS A SPY in a war. A bit of an exaggerating statement, but all she did was gossip—it's much easier being a woman that way. It made her wonder why they didn't hire women as spies. Women are much more capable of gathering information than men. They do not hire women because, in their words—women have delicate sensibilities.

What she learned about the Mikaelsons is less thrilling than Genesis hoped it would be. They didn't create scandals—except with Niklaus being an infamous rake, apparently, that he slept with a married woman—how scandalous, indeed.

She just received endless praises at each conversation she had at the ton about the Mikaelsons; of course, she compelled them afterward. She knows that word will get out that the grieving woman of the French Quarter is an unashamed gossiper with the Mikaelsons in her line of interest.

It looks like the Mikaelsons—or rather half of them, maybe a quarter? Niklaus, Elijah, and Rebekah are willing and want to settle down in New Orleans, specifically in the French Quarter. Why? Genesis knows precisely why. Maybe because of the factions that Niklaus had created, but it came to her attention that it wasn't exactly accepted by all parties.

Is it that they haven't had a disturbance from their Father the moment they settled in the city? Also, Kol isn't undaggered to cause havoc and possibly burn the city down to the ground with the endless chaos he brings whenever he is undaggered.

Or just. New Orleans is where they finally reached the normalcy that they wanted for so long. They found what they were looking for—a home. Of course, they found a home in New Orleans because they were the ones that built it like an empire. But the one thing she couldn't figure out was that they had been in New Orleans for decades, and yet, people still knew them as the Governor's royal guests from England.

Indeed, their faces aren't easily forgettable. Genesis doesn't really know what they did with that one. Or they made a lot of effort to compel people about who they are. Genesis also now knows that the witches absolutely loathe them; of course, they loathe them; it's as if imprinted to a witch by birth to instinctively hate vampires.

How did she acquire that information? If one asks. Genesis helped a witch, who was a slave—past tense, Genesis killed her owner and threw the body in a creek, it's not a big deal really, and now has a feeling of indebtedness to her. Genesis used the opportunity for her student to acquire inside information about what the witches are planning to do to successfully make the Mikaelsons leave New Orleans and never come back so that peace in their little witch community is all well and settled.

As if they could make the Mikaelsons leave. Three unkillable Mikaelsons against a coven of maybe 20 witches. Genesis knows who will win when heads roll on the ground. The witches of New Orleans should try not to get their hopes up.

Unless they figured out to somehow lure Mikael into New Orleans, well, that would really make them run from New Orleans, and that is one of the major things that Genesis has to prevent; she has to wake Kol first before they can lure Mikael to New Orleans.

What could Genesis say? She's a good friend. Kol will owe her a massive debt after all of this is over.

Genesis has been in deep thought ever since she saved a slave from one of the landowners. Genesis will be buying out the land that he left; she doesn't really care about the family that he left; Genesis could finish out his bloodline if she pleases to rid the world of unpleasant lives.

Genesis has seen the French Quarter and its buzzing shops and establishments; after all, Genesis is a businesswoman, which piqued her interest. The mercantile stores, apothecaries, tailors and dressmakers, silversmiths, jewelers, bookstores, confectioneries, coffeehouses, millinery shops, tailor and dressmaker shops. The residents of the French Quarter are well provided—at least the upper class are.

People of color are not welcome to enter the shops, nor are they served and entertained with a smile.

It is irritating.

Genesis might be a vampire, but she's not utterly reckless to enter a shop and cause unwanted rage from an entitled caucasian man or woman. Sure, she could easily compel them, but sometimes, she does get too much work—staring into someone's eyes.

Fortunately, Genesis doesn't need to enter the shops of the French Quarter as Jean has so kindly provided her what she needs. Also, the Queen of England sends her packages—multiple packages from food ingredients to extravagant, well-tailored gowns twice a month.

It does feel good to be in the good graces of Queen Charlotte. Genesis entered the Royal Palace as a maid to one of her children. Genesis left the Royal Palace as one of the Queen's most trusted court members. Genesis did all of that without even resulting in compelling the Queen.

Genesis is just a charmer with an intellectual brain, and the Queen needs to rule her kingdom by herself while her husband is terribly ill. Queen Charlotte needed support, and Genesis offered it to her.

Genesis doesn't know why she signed up as a maid for one of Queen Charlotte's children; she guesses that boredom has taken over and that she's really curious about what the Royals are up to now.

From the recent news in France, the Royal French family is held captive in Versailles—they were corrupt and oppressive anyway. She has nothing to say about it when the people of France wanted her gone from such a powerful position—indifference to those she rules is not the right way of capturing the people's hearts.

Genesis is sure she will soon be summoned to The Queen's House.

Before Genesis could be taken away by another fleeting thought. She had thought of opening a saloon—well, a hidden one. A saloon that only allows her people to enter. Maybe an underground of some sort. A boutique above where all can enter for less suspicion than a hidden saloon underneath, she's sure it'll be a difficult construction for her idea to come to life; all things must come with a detailed plan, and unfortunately, Genesis requires assistance from a white person.

Juliette kindly offered her help, and they bought a boutique at the end of the French Quarter. A not-so-noticeable part of the Quarter. It's just what Genesis wanted. After Juliette signed the papers, officially bought the empty and abandoned shop, and transferred it to Genesis' name, which was quite a lengthy process, Genesis needed her own lawyer.

Genesis now owns a shop that is in dire need of her attention. Construction started at night with compelled construction workers, and Genesis scattered burning sage around her property to avoid being heard. The shop needs minor repairs and repainting, which was finished in about seven months.

The furniture arrived after repair. Genesis hired dressmakers and tailors, and her suppliers in Paris had sent the fabrics and garments. She had ordered only the finest wool, cotton linen, and silk. Upon entering the boutique, a soft glow of crystal chandeliers suspended from the high ceilings cast a warm ambiance over the boutique's interior. Ornate moldings embellish the walls, and plush velvet drapes frame the windows, creating an atmosphere of opulence and luxury.

After her dressmakers and tailor's hard work, racks of dresses, gowns, and coats line the walls, showcasing the latest fashions. Rich silks, delicate lace, and luxurious velvet are meticulously arranged in various colors and patterns.

In addition to clothing, the boutique offers an exquisite collection of accessories and trinkets. Jewelry cases display sparkling necklaces, earrings, and brooches, while delicate fans, gloves, and parasols add a touch of refinement to the array of options, all supplied from Paris, France.

A corner of the boutique is dedicated to an assortment of fine perfumes and scents. Exquisite glass bottles and ornate crystal jars house an enchanting array of fragrances. Towards the back of the boutique, a small salon area is set up with plush seating and elegant tea sets.

The only untouched part of the boutique is what is hidden underneath. Genesis promises to herself that one day, it won't be hidden anymore, but for now, progress is progress. It's half a year in the making, but Genesis needed assurance that what she does will be safe for her people. And she needed to know how the underground saloon would remain hidden because there's no room for a failsafe.

Nothing could go wrong with a hidden passage after experimenting with some spells with the help of her esteemed witch student, with the name Flora. A secret passage at the back of the boutique, a simple brick wall that opens only for people of color, remains hidden to anyone who isn't.

Entering the hidden passage, a room comes into view, with the interior dimly lit, with flickering oil lamps casting warm, golden light across the room. The heart of the saloon is the long, polished bar made of dark wood with brass foot rails.

Behind the bar, shelves are lined with an impressive collection of whiskey bottles, brightly colored liquor decanters, and an assortment of glassware. Wooden bar stools line the bar, while sturdy, round tables dot the room.

And an empty small stage that Genesis envisioned with live music from a talented pianist or a group of musicians playing fiddles and banjos.

This is the place where her people come together and find peace.

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!