Love Found Across the Galaxy

“Our King has returned home with his Queen!”

When King Adrian came back from searching for his Merlot Girl, he came home with the literal woman of his dreams. Immediately orders were sent to prepare a wedding of exquisite décor in colors of berry blue, burgundy, and brown accents. He believed he would find the girl who lived in his dreams; his Merlot Girl. And he did; the two of them existed in the same galaxy yet, only one knew the other existed.

Before their wedding Adrian toured around the kingdom with his wife-to-be, showing full display of his affection toward her. It was as if the once solemn yet dignified ruler had been bewitched. This change of personality sparked unease throughout the kingdom.

"Congratulations to Queen Kaleese and King Adrian!" Whoops and applause surrounded the two lovebirds.

The newlywed couple looked deeply into each other’s eyes; the surrounding noise of excitement became muffled around them.

"My Merlot girl, you've made me the happiest man in this universe." Adrian whispered to her intimately, "I can't wait to take you to our room; behind sound-proof walls, where all your sounds will be honeyed music to my ears and mine alone."

Kaleese's cheeks burned a deep shade of red, almost like wine. "Oh Adrian, you intoxicating, loveable man! I can't believe this is happening." She cupped her hand on Adrian's face and then placed her forehead on his. Their love swelled throughout their bodies showing a hue of pink in the form of a tendril circling their silhouettes. Adrian sensed the swelling amount of love from her but he felt another emotion as well. Fear.

"What's the matter, my love?" He looked at her face and saw her cheeks begin to pale and her eyebrows start to furrow. "I-"

As she was about to respond a respectable noble from one of the dining tables came swaying forward and interrupted their conversation, asking loudly, "My dear King! Why don't you tell us how you two met?! I don't believe such folly rumors going around!" The music slowly came to a stop and the royal guests began to speak in hushed tones. A guard briskly walked to the side of the inebriated noble and swiftly escorted him out of the room to diffuse any further disturbance but not before people began to whisper.

As the drunken man was leaving the hushed tones became more audible.

"How did our King end up with a woman from Earth?"

"Did you see her neck? It bears the symbol of a wine glass; the same one our King has on his wrist."

"I have the same wine glass symbol as the King's! I should be his wife." A glamoured maiden spoke up.

Some dignified male with lavender lip-stain standing next to the haughty woman responded, "are you blind? That is not a wine glass! That is a mug of ale! Maybe your true love was the drunkard who was just kicked out of the reception, seeing as the both of you seem to enjoy ruining such a fine event with your inexcusable outbursts." Snickers arose from behind the pair. With a huff, the woman stormed and stumbled through the crowding guests in pursuit of the drunk noble. The king had yet to respond, and the guests continued to speak of the rumors, each one more ridiculous than the last.

"I heard that she's secretly a moon witch and she is almost a thousand years old!"

"Yes, I heard the same! I also heard she hides her weathered age by prowling in the dreams of fertile men stealing their vitality and using it as her own to sustain her life!"

The guests were in need of answers from their respected King. It was unheard of for an earth-dweller to reach their kingdom, let alone become a royal. The people were pleased that their King had found his true love, but many questions needed to be answered.

Adrian didn't mind telling the story of how he met his dream bride, but the nagging emotion his other half was feeling had him stuck. Should he go up there and address his people with the truth, or should he leave to the royal chambers and address why his wife felt afraid? Due to their shared bond, Kaleese could feel her husband struggling with how to proceed. To ease his worries, she placed her hands on his to assure him she was alright, giving him a supportive look of approval to speak to the people first. He kissed her forehead then rose out of his chair with a glass in hand and walked toward the podium.

In his natural kingly voice, he spoke. "As you all know our people are gifted with the ability to dream of our soulmates." Everyone nodded in agreement. Adrian continued, "The beginning of my dream was unlike my previous dreams. Usually, they’re simple but this dream was elaborate; I could smell a mix of plum and berries.”

Adrian sipped his wine, pausing as if he were in his dream again, then addressed his guests once more.

“I was able to see a glimpse of my love; she was dressed in clothes I wasn’t accustomed to, her attire reminded me of the finest merlot. She wore a burgundy sundress that cascaded her full body; the aroma of berries followed her, and her lips were stained with wine. She stood elegantly in the vineyard holding a wine glass in one hand and a bundle of merlot grapes in the other. Her hair was plaited into a bun and her skin glowed from the kiss of the sun’s rays. Looking closer, I saw her neck bore the same wine glass soul-mark as my wrist. It was then I knew our Goddess had finally decided to bless me with my soulmate. I decided to call her my Merlot Girl, at least until I could find her true name.”

“The next day, as you all know, I set out immediately in search of the girl in my dreams. The voyage was exhausting but, in the end, I reached my destination; Earth. For many weeks I searched for my Merlot Girl on this gorgeous yet troubled planet and eventually found myself in the most beautiful vineyard, the smell of plum and berries filling my nose. Realization hit; I had found her, my Queen, my Merlot Girl who preoccupied my dreams for countless nights.”

Once again Adrian sipped wine from his glass; the guests sat quietly waiting for their King to tell them more. After Adrian was satisfied with his sip, he continued.

“It was there I figured out her name and learned that she owned the vineyard. As luck would have it, she needed a capable person to manage her vineyard along with her. I happily signed up for the position; it was enjoyable to have someone to rely on. For four years I grew close to her and she grew close to me; it was the fifth year of my time there when our feelings exposed themselves. I gathered my courage and asked her out on a date.”

“When the time came for our first date, I escorted her to the large plum tree in her vineyard. I had shaped some wood to create a table and added stumps in place of chairs and strung tiny light bulbs throughout the branches of the plum tree. For dinner I had made her favorite; roasted chicken smothered in a berry sauce, and a side of sautéed garlic mushrooms. To go along with our meal, I chose a bottle of her homebrewed merlot. For the first time in my life, I was scared-”

“King Adrian scared?! That’s preposterous!” A woman gasped.

“How do you not know the reason why our King would be afraid?” A nobleman chastised her. “It’s possible; rare but possible, that your soul mate can reject your love. When that bond is broken, the person who experienced the dream first loses the ability to love. I don’t mean love as in loving another person, I mean loving period; say goodbye to loving your family members, your favorite memories, even yourself. Eventually you will succumb to the void of self-hate and will cease to exist.”

King Adrian signaled the two nobles to hush.

“Yes; what you say is true.” Adrian said. “If Kaleese had rejected me, I would have lost my ability to love and spiraled into a void of self-hatred. Fortunately, that did not occur.”

Adrian continued the tale of capturing his Merlot Girl. “Later into the evening of our date, I explained everything. Why I came into her life, who she is to me, then carefully explained how she is my soulmate. To help my case, I showed her the identical soul-mark on my wrist. At first, she was quiet; the silence was deafening. I thought I had lost my true love. Suddenly she grabbed the oval shaped decanter that sat between us and filled her glass to the brim with merlot. A few more moments of silence passed between us; she drank half of the red liquid. I could see her forehead scrunch, she was pondering; she breathed a sigh. It was then she spoke the words that solidified our bond.”

Kaleese rose from her seat and sauntered toward Adrian, grasping his hand, interrupting him. Staring into Adrian’s eyes she repeated what she said on their first date for all to hear.

“Adrian; when we first met, I instantly felt pulled to you. Somewhere deep down I knew you are mine and I am yours. It is because of this bond we share; our emotions are entwined. It was like I’d found the missing piece to my mind and body; you complete me. If an unfortunate event were to happen and we fade apart, do not fear; we will find each other in future lifetimes. You are my King.”

The couple shared a sweet kiss. The pink tendril appeared again, this time shining brighter; evidence of how they truly loved one another. The kiss ended and the tendril disappeared.

“Everyone!” Adrian boomed after the kiss. “You mustn’t be wary of your new Queen. As the rightful King of Illusion Kingdom, I wouldn’t dare harm my people and land in any way; I ask everyone to put your faith in our Goddess and trust that she has made the correct decision, that an earthling is more than capable of guiding me and our Kingdom to peaceful times. Trust the process that my Queen is your Queen as well.”

The guests were calmed. They had heard what they needed to hear and felt peace in knowing the Kingdom was in capable hands; all doubt had disappeared from their minds. The couple excused themselves and the reception goers began applauding behind them. As the reception door closed behind them, Adrian guided Kaleese out of the reception, lifted her into his arms, and walked hurriedly to their chambers. They heard the music grow distant in the background and the conversing of people became quieter and quieter after every step he took toward their room.

“Wait, Adrian,” Kaleese said breathlessly, “I have to tell you something; I-I can’t get pregnant.”

Adrian set Kaleese down on their bed, he held her hands and whispered to her. “You must remember darling; we are not lovers just to reproduce. We are more than that; we are bonded souls. No matter the hardships we face, I will be by your side forevermore.”

Kaleese smiled up at him. “I love you, Adrian.”

“I love you too, my Merlot Girl.”