THE MOMENT
Declan felt fulfilled after 110 long years. He'd led a relatively blessed life, all things considered. It was mostly thanks in part to an infernal deal where he'd come out ahead. He didn't think to ask for immortality at the time, but he had no complaints. He was old, wrinkled, and ready.
He even managed to get past the loneliness that plagued him early on. He was fit, rich, and determined to avoid the slightest chance of having a child, so he didn't date and made very few friends. He made up for the lack of companionship with his wealth and other entertainments.
Eventually, that got boring too, and he devoted his twilight years to anonymous philanthropy. He lived the best life he possibly could with no regrets, and one major point of pride. He'd outwitted a higher power.
He was content until one evening, there came a knock on the door. Even at his age, Declan was sound enough to live alone, thanks to his supernatural gifts. He opened the door to a pale young woman with black hair and bright orange eyes.
“Yes?” he asked. She didn't seem to be selling anything as far as he could tell.
“Hi, Declan,” she smiled. “My name's Ophelia, and I'm here on behalf of King Solarion.” The name almost made him shut the door in a panic. Why was she there after all this time? He didn't have any children. Fortunately, he managed to keep his cool and leaned on the door. He didn't have anything to worry about without kids.
“What can I do for you?” he asked with a nod to indicate he understood who she represented.
“Well…,” she giggled with a hint of nerves. “We've noticed a distinct lack of children being produced,” she said. “I came to find out why.”
“Yeah..,” Declan chuckled. In a way, he was happy for a chance to rub it in their faces. Up until that moment, he was starting to wonder if they'd forgotten about him altogether. It wasn't as strong as a win if they didn't actually care. “... About that. I never actually planned on having any kids in the first place. So, I don't have any,” he said. His grin grew even wider when a deeply concerned expression took over Ophelia's face.
“No…,” she shook her head. “Surely you're just trying to downplay the loneliness you've had for so long. It's gotta be an innocent oversight, right? Maybe because you’re ugly. You weren't actively trying to deceive Solarion.. right?” She asked, and nodded at him with encouragement. But, this was a moment he couldn't pass up. He won, and it was important that Solarion knew how.
“Of course I was!” Declan laughed as loud and obnoxiously as his body could handle. “Like fairies don't all do the same thing…,” he added as his laughter settled down.
“They don't…,” Ophelia shook her head, now with a more somber expression. “At least, King Solarion isn't like that. And, it's unfortunate for you, that he is true to his word.”
“Huh?” Declan blinked and something changed. Except, he couldn't tell if it changed before he blinked or after. He felt heavier, slower somehow. Then, or was all clear as he checked his hands and arms.
He was young again, and still at the door. It was different and he was back in the same home he lived in when he first made the deal. His supernatural health was gone and he felt noticeably worse despite being almost nine decades younger.
“What's going on?!” he asked. He was shaken from surprise more than fear. If she was taking it all back, that was fine. He wouldn't mind a second chance, and he'd learned a lot.
“You intentionally attempted to deceive King Solarion,” She said. “He's decided to take it personally.”
“What? You can't punish me for not having children!” She'd kept a stern face, but that comment made her crack a smile.
“We don't need a reason. However, he also very much can punish you for it. It's not that you didn't have children, it's that you took the deal with the knowledge that you never planned to pay. It is tantamount to theft.”
“Fine,” Declan just wanted it to be over with and her gone. He could rebuild an even better life. “I guess I'm back to the beginning and the deal’s off,” he added as he started to close the door. “Thanks for nothing, I guess,” he chuckled.
“One second,” she held up a hand to stop him from closing the door. “Your punishment is being arranged, just a little longer,” she said.
“What?” That was a genuine surprise. “What punishment? The deal is already off.”
“Your own intentions spoiled the deal. The punishment is for intentionally lying to us.”
“I think that's enough of this conversation,” Declan pushed the door closed, then blinked. As soon as he opened his eyes again, he was somewhere new. A sealed white room with no doors or windows. Only he and Ophelia stood there in the empty space with no furniture.
“Congratulations, King Solarion has decided to be lenient,” she smiled. “Leniency with a firm hand. It's simple, you'll remain here until you fulfill your part of the bargain. Don't worry about aging, dying, or even going hungry. All you gotta do is pop out a baby to complete the contract, then everything goes back to normal.”
It wasn't what he expected, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Ophelia was the only one there, and she was quite attractive.
“I guess we should get started then, huh?” he asked as he took a step toward her.
“I suppose you should,” she nodded and made a gesture at her side. A tall black portal opened, and she immediately stepped into it. “Don't worry about a thing. It's a special smart room. The second you give us your firstborn, you can leave.”
“WHAT? WAIT! Where are you going?!”
“I'm not really obligated to answer that,” she smiled.
“How am I supposed to make a child by myself?!” he asked.
“Oh, I don't know, but I'm sure there's a way,” she giggled. “King Solarion is generous and wise. Even if it's not clear how, he certainly isn’t the type to promise something he has no intention of delivering on. Good luck!”