Arranged Marriage {Prince Merlin AU}

Chapter 5--Dragons

Hi! I am so sorry i haven't updated, I was just focused on other things.

P.S: I tried to write some fluff in this chapter but please keep in mind, I hate romance. Also this is a pretty long chapter. So as always, grab a blanket, some snacks and enjoy!

*a 'bachelor in a bind' is the male equivalent of 'damsel in distress'.

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3rd Person POV

Merlin sat in front of the dresser, staring at her 'Aeryn form' in the eyes. Luckily, the real Aeryn was out with Morgana in his 'Merlin form'. She was waiting anxiously for Arthur to come and pick her up. She was wearing a light blue dress that laid comfortably on her body. She started to bite her nails, trying to come up with a way to tell Arthur. She was dreading the conversation she was due to have. She just need to tell him that she had NO, ZERO interest in an actual relatio-

A muffled knock came from behind the door and in less of a second, she opened the door. Arthur stood with his hand still in the air. He widened his eyes before smiling softly. Merlin's heart flirted for one second before reminding herself she wasn't supposed to fall in love with him. Arthur scanned her up and stuttered out:

"You look... nice," Merlin smiled at the idiot infant of her she looked down at his hand, noticing a rose. She looked back up and raised her eyebrow, silently asking 'is the flower for me?'. Arthur remembered the flower and handed her the rose. Merlin's eyes shone gold before the flower floated its way into a nearby vase. Arthur stared into her eyes like they were the most beautiful thing in the world.

"I don't know if I said this already, but you have the most beautiful eyes," Merlin flushed a deep shade of red.

"I think you mentioned it on the picnic,"

'So why does it have more effect on me now?'

"Anyways, can we go?" Arthur held out an his arm and she linked arm with him. She shut the door and the two started walking down the hallway. She knew that she needs to tell him and in order to do that, she's gonna have to drink. A lot.

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Drunken laughter filled the tavern as the knights cheered and clashed their mugs. Merlin laughed freely, her mind not filled with worry like it normally. She watched from the far end of the bar the knights of the round table trying to hold Gwaine back so he doesn't drink anymore of then he already has. She sipped her drink quietly, trying to get courage to speak to Arthur. He had excused himself, and in that, she sobered herself up a bit. She decided that being drunk would make the conversation end badly. She wanted to tell him not to catch feelings, not that she's being taking a gender-bending potion(god how much i want that potion)and she was actually the PRINCE and not the PRINCESS of Ruinid and that she's been taking that potion because he's supposed to return magic to the land and unite the kingdoms of Albion.

She looked up just as Arthur returned. He sat down and stared at her.

"Okay. I don't know what lesson number we're on so Lesson No. I don't know, stop staring so hard," She chuckled under her breathe and apologised while looking away.

"Look, this is the most fun you're going to get here. Maybe a bit more if Gwaine gets ahold of the instruments. How about we go back and relax. Alone, without the smell of disappointment?" He said, looking back at the knights, who had decided their best course of action to make Gwaine not drink as much was to have him tied to Percy. Merlin thought to herself for a moment. If they were alone, she could finally tell him. She nodded and they made their way out.