A Secret Revealed
Merlin, after parting ways with Morgan, headed to deliver her message to King Uther. As he made his way, he reflected on the unique nature of King Lott and the intriguing conversation he had with Morgan.
"Indeed, Lott is quite a special case," Merlin mused.
Meanwhile, Morgan's mind was abuzz with curiosity and anticipation. She had tasked Merlin with persuading her father about the farming war strategy, hoping it would improve Camelot's prosperity. Merlin's willingness to undertake the task reassured her.
"Even though Merlin can be a bit of an old curmudgeon, I trust he'll handle this well," Morgan thought triumphantly. She felt a surge of satisfaction knowing that her father might value her insights more because of Lott's suggestions.
However, her thoughts soon turned back to Lott. She remembered his earlier hesitation and the mysterious booklet he had concealed. Driven by curiosity, Morgan decided to investigate.
The Secret of the Booklet
Morgan approached Lott's tent with a discreet use of magic, ensuring her presence remained unnoticed by the soldiers. She was determined to uncover the nature of the booklet Lott had been so anxious to hide.
As she peeked inside, she saw Lott packing up. In his hand was the booklet she had been wondering about—a beautifully crafted volume that looked intriguing.
Morgan's eyes widened as she saw the cover, revealing that it was indeed an illustrated booklet. To her surprise, the subject of the illustrations was none other than herself.
"Why does this painting look so familiar?" Morgan thought, narrowing her eyes. The more she looked, the more she realized the painted figure was unmistakably her.
Without hesitation, Morgan appeared beside Lott, startling him. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Lott, caught off guard, quickly tried to conceal the booklet. "Why are you here?" he asked, visibly flustered.
Morgan was taken aback by his reaction but decided to let go of her initial embarrassment. She now understood that Lott had been struggling with how to handle the booklet—a collection of illustrations featuring her.
"It seems that you've been quite thoughtful, drawing a booklet of me," Morgan said with a soft smile.
Lott was confused by her reaction. "You're not angry?" he asked, his concern apparent.
Morgan shook her head, her expression warm. "No, not at all. It's quite endearing. It shows that you've been paying attention to me."
Lott sighed in relief, though he still felt a bit self-conscious. He had initially struggled with the booklet because it contained illustrations that, while artistic, portrayed her in somewhat provocative poses. He feared that presenting such a gift might offend her.
Morgan, on the other hand, found his discomfort and the effort he put into creating the booklet sweet. To her, it was a testament to his feelings and a reflection of his genuine admiration.
A New Plan
With Lott and Morgan preparing to leave, Merlin rejoined King Uther to present Morgan's proposal. The conversation between Merlin and the king was intense but productive.
King Uther listened intently to Merlin's explanation of the farming war strategy. "You say this is the advice from my daughter?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, it is," Merlin confirmed.
King Uther mulled over the suggestion. "It's an excellent idea. To ensure our army's effectiveness, we need to make the peasants prosperous first. We must implement this strategy immediately."
King Uther agreed with the idea, recognizing its potential to improve Camelot's stability. He also acknowledged the practical aspect of the plan, which involved offering official positions as incentives—a move unlikely to face significant opposition from the nobility.
"Your daughter has a strong aptitude for governance," King Uther remarked to Merlin. "Does this mean my previous decisions were mistaken?"
Merlin's Reflection
Merlin was cautious in his response. "Your Majesty, I can't comment on past decisions. My prophecies were based on my disciples becoming rulers. With new strategies, the future could diverge significantly. It may improve, or it might not."
Merlin's words highlighted the uncertainty inherent in governance and the future. While Morgan's strategy had promise, the outcome remained unpredictable.
The chapter closed with the realization that while talent and ideas are crucial, the results are always subject to the unpredictability of fate and decision-making.