The softness of his bed and the smell of flowers in his room felt surreal to Alexander. The heap of straw he had called a bed in his old life was all the luxury he knew, but now he gets to experience something that a lot of hardworking people in this world never get to experience: a happy life.
But when he stared at the wallpaper in the room, he realized every inch of that place made him angry.
’Why would someone spend so much money on some damn wallpaper while kids are dying of hunger right across his street?’ Alexander thought to himself.
Most people would call his dream of a better future a stupid one, but nothing could waver his ambition to bring equality into this world. He truly believed he could change this world for the better.
The sound of giggles snapped him back to reality. He looked out of his window and saw Merlin and Laila in the garden having breakfast and laughing together. He smiled at them and went to put on some clothes the maids had laid out for him.
The finely woven silk garments looked a little too expensive for his taste, but he also couldn’t refuse a gift, so he dressed up as fast as he could.
"I look like some spoiled noble boy," Alexander said to himself. He strapped his sword to his waist and headed outside.
The moment he entered the garden, he saw Merlin still drooling over Laila, and she was loving it.
"Good morning, Lady Laila," Alexander said.
"Good morning, Alexander. I hope you slept well," she said. Her voice was always calm and mature.
"Yes, ma’am. Thanks for letting us stay here," Alexander said politely.
"It’s my pleasure to have you as my guests. And can you stop it with the ma’am and lady? I hate being addressed like that," she said.
"That’s why I think I’m in love with you," Merlin said. Laila and Alexander stared at him in confusion. Alexander left as fast as he could to try to avoid the awkward conversation that would follow.
"Excuse me? What did you say?" Laila asked. "You just can’t say that to people, Merlin. Have you never been in love?"
"Is it a bad thing to say you love someone?" Merlin asked.
Merlin was confused. To him, it felt right saying those words to Laila, as the feeling he felt for her started to overwhelm him.
"I believe you should only ever say something like that to someone you truly love," Laila said.
"But I do believe the words I just said to you," Merlin stood up and held Laila’s hands.
"You have lived such a long life and yet you know nothing of love. Have you truly ever been in love?" Laila asked again.
"No. Our kind can only ever fall in love once, so that’s why I believe the feelings I feel for you are real. I’ve spent so many years traveling around the world, but this is the first time I’ve ever met someone that fascinates me as much as you do, so I will say it again. I love you," Merlin said. Laila still couldn’t believe that a man she had met two days ago would be saying such words to her.
An awkward silence followed. Laila was too stunned to speak, but deep down she knew that this strange man was the one.
"Can we visit someone? I need to introduce you to someone," Laila said, and Merlin felt hurt. The first time he confessed his feelings to someone and she dismissed him.
"Sure," he said. The look on his face was that of a man with a broken heart.
"Come on. I just need to confirm something," Laila said. She held Merlin’s hand and pulled him along with her.
NO MORTAL
The aesthetic of the kingdom of Deneos was one to admire. The buildings were built in a way that allowed both people and nature to coexist, as most of them were built around trees or even inside huge trees.
"So where are we heading?" Merlin asked. He was still being dragged around by Laila through the city.
"We are almost there. Just shut up," she replied.
"Alright, ma’am."
The people of Deneos just stared at the two of them, and most of them wondered what the daughter of a duke was doing dragging a man around.
"Alright. We are here. The person I want you to meet is inside that pub," she said as they stood in front of an old, dirty building.
"What’s special about this person?" Merlin asked.
"Well, he has a special kind of ability. He can tell the future, but he is a hard man to convince. Luckily, he knows me," she replied. "Let’s go in."
The pub smelled like sweat and depression, and the cold stares they got from the people weren’t welcoming. It seemed like a place where thieves and mercenaries would hang out.
"Laila, is this place safe?" Merlin asked.
"No. But I have you to protect me," she said with her cheerful voice. Merlin just sighed and went along.
Laila walked up to a man sleeping at the bar. "Hey, old man, wake up," she said. The man seemed to be too drunk to even move. "Damon, wake up, you old bastard."
The man lifted his head, he looked around the room and saw Laila and Merlin standing behind him.
"What do you want, you little brat?" The man said. "And who’s the pretty boy you brought with you?"
Merlin was confused by how they addressed each other. The man she called old man didn’t look a day over 30, which would make him the same age as Laila herself. Why did she call him that? Merlin thought to himself.
"This pretty boy is Merlin, and yes I know he’s beautiful," she said to the man. She looked at Merlin and said, "Merlin, this is Damon Holmes. He’s a distant relative."
Merlin shook the man’s hand. "Why did you bring us here?" Merlin asked.
"I need him to tell our future," she said.
"Uncle, I need you to show me my life and what I should expect," Laila said to the man.
"Okay, put out your hands. I need to hold your hands for me to be able to show you your future," the man said. And they both followed his instructions.
"And why do you call him old man? Aren’t you like the same age?" Merlin asked. The man let out a little chuckle.
"Well, Damon is an immortal. He’s hundreds of years old," Laila said, and Merlin’s eyes shone with excitement.
"Wha—" Merlin’s words were cut short as soon as Damon activated his ability. The world seemed to shift, and time lost all meaning as they were dragged into a dreamlike world, and what he saw was a life he could have with Laila.
Merlin saw a kingdom of creatures that frighten the gods and primordial beings. He saw a house filled with happiness. He saw a lost child that would calm him father, and he saw a strange child being born into a world that hates him. But mostly he saw hope and peace for all mortals.