Morning in the village was anything but peaceful.
The sound of hens clucking, children running, and hammers striking metal made a chaotic symphony that marked the approach of noon.
Adrian pov:
Inside a small cottage near the edge of the forest, Adrian placed the final bundle of firewood beside the stove.
He brushed the dust off his hands, surveying his work with a grin.
"Perfect," he said. "Grandma won't complain today."
From the outside, he looked like an angelic little boy dutifully helping his grandmother.
'but he did all the extra chores to keep himself busy and not think about what will happen after he showed his magic yesterday.'
And if Esther Mikaelson was anything like the woman from the show he remembered, there was no way she'd ignore that.
A mysterious boy with magic, living right next door?
"Grandma, I'm heading out!" he called, tugging on his old brown cloak.
"Don't go too far into the forest with your troublemaker friends, Adrian," she called from the kitchen. "And be back before lunch!"
"I will!"
He stepped outside. The crisp wind tugged playfully at his hair, carrying with it the scent of pine and hearth smoke. The dirt road ahead was busy with villagers starting their day — the same familiar faces, the same greetings.
"Morning, Adrian!"
"Oh, look at you — always so polite."
And then came the inevitable — the women of the village.
Young girls and aunties alike paused in their chores just to dote on him. Some pinched his cheeks, others tousled his messy black curls.
Even Tatia the doppelganger, nine years old and already developing towards the familiar face he recognized as Elena and Katherine with the confidence of a troublemaker, smirked as she leaned close and smmoched his cheeks.
"You look too serious for someone that cute, Adrian." she teased.
He forced a sheepish grin, pretending to be flustered.
"Ah, s-stop, Tatia! You're embarrassing me!"
But inside, he was fighting back a chuckle.
Well, well… I did ask the goddess for "peak mortal beauty," didn't I?
Guess she overdelivered.
He strutted away once he managed to escape their clutches, leaving him with his messy hair and pecks on cheeks.
After a few more turns down the dusty path, the Mikaelson home came into view — sturdy, warm, and just a little intimidating.
To anyone else, it was a simple household.
But to Adrian, it was ground zero of a story that could shake the world.
He stopped by the porch and called out, "Kol! Klaus! You two up yet?"
Silence.
He frowned lightly, pretending to be annoyed. "Come on, don't tell me you're still sleeping!"
The sound of footsteps approached__
The door creaked open.
Adrian blinked. "Well… that was faster than expected."
Standing there wasn't Kol or Klaus.
It was Esther.
Her face carried the gentlest of smiles, the kind that could comfort a child "Good morning, Adrian," she said smoothly. "You look adorable as always."
He gave a shy laugh, rubbing the back of his neck — all practiced performance.
"Morning, Aunty Esther. I was looking for Kol and Klaus. Are they awake yet?"
Esther tilted her head. "Ah. They're not here — Mikael took them for some chores."
Her tone shifted, gaining weight. "But perhaps you could spare me a moment first. I'd like to talk."
Adrian's heart stayed perfectly calm, though his mind was humming.
'There it is.'
He blinked innocently. "Talk? About what?"
Esther's smile deepened — motherly warmth hiding sharp curiosity.
"About you, dear. And what happened yesterday do you know what you did yesterday "
He tilted his head, feigning confusion. "…Magic? Kol told me it was magic."
Her eyes flickered. "Yes..that helps"
Then, with a graceful turn, she opened the door wider.Esther's eyes glimmered faintly. " Come, step inside. "
'He followed her in, with anticipitation as the next few moments will decide whether he can learn magic from her.'
Esther pov:
I called the boy in to talk to him about stuff and make preliminary preparation for the plan we decided this morning.
Flashback:
"I'm sorry," "Help me." Mikale asked for help.
'i had never seen mikael like this begging for help the man filled with pride lowering his head.'
"Now that," she said softly, "is a start."
She rose gracefully from her seat, circling the table until she stood between us. Her tone, calm yet edged with knowing authority, filled the room.
"I will tell you how it can be done," she said. "But I warn you — there is always a price."
Ayana spoke "I will tell you the way the but I will warn you it has a price a price which you may or may not be willing to make."
"What price." mikael sprang up and questioned Ayana and there he was back to his previous state.
"There are two ways to integrate power of a primordial into your bloodline with no risk whatsoever. But both of them require a price to pay but that said price is subjective, do you want to know it." Ayana asked looking at both Esther and Ayana.
Hearing the word price sent shivers down my spine as we are in the current situation because of a price I paid to my sister Dahlia.
I instinctively wanted to back down but Mikael. "I will pay any price to get my daughter back." Mikael spoke.
Ayana shot a look at me I didn't say anything just stared blankly at her unable to utter a word as I am scared of the price I have to pay again.
3rd person pov:
Ayana looked at Esther after Mikale agreed to pay any price but as if knowing the contemplation of her friend she walked up to Esther took her hand and consoled her.
"Mikael you may not realize what you just agreed to but I will take it as your ignorance." Ayana spoke to Mikael.
She looked at both Mikael and Esther who now have relaxed and suggested "How about this you first hear what the ways are and the price then take a few days to decide what to do. Is that ok."
Both Mikael and Esther visibly relaxed hearing this and both nodded in agreement.
"So the first path is direct and simple but i think it might not be what both of you are hoping for."
"The first path," she began, "is the simplest — and the oldest. A union of bloodlines, through marriage."
Mikael frowned, confused. "Marriage?"
"Yes. Just as noble houses strengthen themselves through alliance, so too can witches. By marrying the Primordial into your family, the child born from that union will be part of your bloodline — carrying the blessing of a Primordial's essence within them. The result is inevitable, though not immediate. The true strength manifests in the next generation."
I blinked, realization dawning. "So the bloodline improves… but only through the children."
"Exactly," Ayana said. "It's the natural way. The simplest path — and the safest. The 'price,' as I call it, is merely symbolic. The primordial in question is a male so the daughter you give to the Primordial is the bridge. Through her, the bloodlines merge."
Mikael scoffed quietly. "So you mean… wed one of our daughters to the boy, and the next generation will be stronger?"
Ayana nodded once. "Yes. That is the simplest path. No rituals, no spells — just nature taking its course. But it is slow. It gives no power to those alive now."
Her tone turned dry. "And somehow, I doubt patience is a virtue either of you possess."
Mikael grunted in irritation but didn't deny it.
"I do not care for your witchy magical bloodline or anything nor any desire to strengthen it I only want my daughter back."