Chapter 79: Child of War and Peace

Sehun

I groaned as I opened my eyes. I'd awakened to a throbbing headache. I rubbed my temples to ease the pain but that did little to lessen it.

"Sehun!" Shika burst into my room. She stopped when she saw me lying in bed. "What? You're still asleep?" She came closer and touched my forehead. "You're burning up, Big Bro!"

I smiled weakly at her. "I guess I can't go with you to school today."

She chuckled and crossed her arms. "That's fine." Her forced smile gave way to a frown. "But are you sure you'll be alright by yourself? I can stay and take care of you if you want.

I shook my head, the room spinning slightly as I did. "No, Shika. You have school. I'll be fine on my own."

She bit her lip, clearly torn between her worry for me and her responsibilities. "Are you sure, Sehun? I really can stay back."

"No," I insisted, trying to sound more firm despite the weakness in my voice. "You have an important test today, don't you? I don't want you to miss it because of me. I'll just sleep it off. I'll be fine."

Shika looked at me skeptically, but then sighed and nodded. "Okay, Big Bro. But promise me you'll call if you need anything at all."

I gave her a weak thumbs up. "Promise."

With one last worried glance at me, Shika left the room, leaving me alone with my aching head and blurred thoughts. Despite the pain, I couldn't help but smile at my little sister's concern. She was growing up fast, turning into a responsible and caring young woman.

As I closed my eyes, trying to get some sleep and shake off the illness, my thoughts went back to Ava and Sou. Maybe this was what I deserved for what I did.

I groaned and turned to my side, clutching my pillow tight. I needed to make things right. But right now, I needed to get better.

As I drifted off to sleep, I saw Ava's face, looking back at me.

PoV Shina

[10,000 years Ago]

"Yes, Father, I am still working on finding the weakness of the quartz clan."

My father sighed but smiled. "Alright, if you say so. Just, be careful. Alright? If you're discovered, your life will be in danger."

I nodded as the crystal I held my my hands returned to normal. With it, I could communicate and see my clan members, even if we were thousands of feet apart.

Laying my head down on my pillow, I sighed as I stared at the roof.

A lot had happened in the past couple of months. Kizu and the princess were getting married, we were getting ready to perform the ritual of the sages, and I... I learned I was pregnant with Alfonso's kid. Our one nightstand had resulted in an unexpected surprise. 

I hadn't told Alfonso about it yet. What would I even say to him? Our relationship had been complicated, to say the least. He was in love with Kizu for one, and also a member of the Quartz clan. The same clan my father had tasked me with finding a weakness for.

As if the situation wasn't complex enough, the child inside me added another layer of complication. How would Alfonso react? Would he be thrilled, or would he see the child as a mistake like the night that conceived it?

A sigh escaped my lips as I turned on my side, my hand instinctively cradling the small bump on my belly. I was carrying a life inside me, a tiny being that was part of both Alfonso and me. It was terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden sensation, a soft fluttering in my belly. I gasped, my hand pressing against the spot. Was that...? Could it be...?

My heart pounded in my chest as I felt it again, a little stronger this time. Yes, it was the baby. Our baby. My hand trembled as I felt the movement again, tears welling up in my eyes. It was a tiny, almost imperceptible sensation, but it was the most beautiful thing I had ever felt.

In that moment, all my worries seemed to melt away. Yes, our situation was complicated. Yes, I was scared. But feeling the life growing inside me, feeling our baby move, made all the fear and uncertainty seem insignificant.

I knew then that no matter what, I would protect this child. I would fight for this child. And if that meant confronting Alfonso and dealing with the consequences, then so be it.

I closed my eyes, a soft smile playing on my lips as I drifted off to sleep. The challenges ahead were great, but the love I felt for our unborn child was greater. I didn't know what the future held, but I knew one thing for sure - I would face it head on, for the sake of our child.

Although, I also had a mission. I was a spy for the Opal clan. As its future queen, I had a duty to fulfill. 

The duties of my clan weighed heavily on me. The Opal clan was counting on me to find a weakness in the Quartz clan, an advantage that could tip the scales in our favor in the ongoing power struggle.

I was torn between my duty to my clan, my feelings for Alfonso, and my responsibility towards our unborn child. It was a complex web of loyalties and emotions that seemed impossible to untangle.

The fluttering in my belly brought me back to the present, a gentle reminder of the life growing within me. I placed a hand on my stomach, a sense of wonder washing over me. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, here was a beacon of hope.

"I will protect you," I whispered softly, my promise echoing in the quiet room. "No matter what."

I closed my eyes and envisioned a future where the Opal and Quartz clans lived in harmony instead of constant war. It was a dream I knew was far from reality, but one I clung to nonetheless. For the sake of our child, I would strive to make it a reality.

But in that case, maybe it was best of I shifted the focus of my mission to diplomacy. 

Sighing, I opened my eyes and made my way to the door. My eyes widened as soon as I saw Alfonso standing outside the door, arms crossed. He was wearing his civilian clothes instead of his armor.

I gave him a flirty smile. "Alf? I didn't expect to see you here. Don't tell me that Kizu getting married brought you to me."

He scoffed. "I am not here for that. I've been monitoring you these past few days."

I gasped. "A stalker! Yikes!"

He rolled his eyes, clearly not amused by my joke. "Not stalking, Shina," he said, his tone serious. "I've been watching you because your behavior has been... Evasive. More than usual."

"Evasive?" I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady. "How so?"

"You've been more secretive," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've been avoiding me and looking around as if making sure no one is watching you. It's like you're hiding something."

I felt a knot in my stomach. Was he onto me? Did he know about the baby? Or worse, did he suspect my mission?

I forced a laugh, attempting to brush off his accusations. "Alf, you're imagining things. I've just been busy, that's all."

He didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press further. Instead, he sighed and uncrossed his arms. "Just remember, Shina," he said, his gaze serious, "everyone has a breaking point. Don't push yours too far."

His words sent a chill down my spine. He was right. I was pushing my limits, juggling too many responsibilities at once. But I didn't have a choice. Not yet.

That said, my heart also fluttered at the hint of concern in his voice.

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, forcing a smile. "Thanks for the advice, Alf."

He gave me a curt nod, then turned and walked away. As I watched him leave, a wave of guilt washed over me. Alfonso might not trust me, might even dislike me, but he was still the father of my child. And he deserved to know the truth.

But not now. Not while I was still carrying out my mission for the Opal clan. Not while I was still finding my footing as a soon-to-be mother.

He paused and turned around. "That said, I will be following you around today. To make sure you aren't up to no good."

I ran up to him and giggled. "Oh? Are you not just making up excuses to spend time with little old me?"

He rolled his eyes and groaned. "You're insufferable."

I laughed, trying to keep the mood light. "And yet, you're still here, Alf."

He didn't respond, just gave me a pointed look before turning to leave again. I watched him go, a pang of guilt hitting me. I didn't want to lie to him, to keep secrets from him. But right now, I didn't have a choice.

Steeling myself, I ran after him. Guess I couldn't search out weak points in Quartz's defenses today, but I could spend some time with Alfonso at least.

"Say, Alf."

"What?" he asked, keeping his eyes ahead as we walked down the orange carpeted hallway.

"As a knight, do you think peace between our clans is possible? I mean, without one subjugating the other."

He paused, turning to look at me with a thoughtful expression. "Without one subjugating the other?" He mused aloud, then sighed. "I'd like to think so, Shina. But it's not that simple."

I nodded, biting my lip as I thought about his words. It wasn't that simple, no. But maybe...just maybe, it could be possible. 

"But what if we tried?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if we tried to bridge the gap between our clans? To find common ground?"

Alfonso's expression softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. "That would be...ideal," he admitted. "But it would take a lot of work, a lot of trust. And right now, I don't think either of our clans are ready for that."

His words stung, but I knew he was right. The mistrust and animosity between our clans ran deep. It wouldn't be easy to overcome. But for the sake of our child, for the sake of a future where our child didn't have to choose between their parents' clans, I had to try.

"I think it's worth a shot," I said, my voice full of determination. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen."

Alfonso looked at me, surprise evident in his features. But then his expression hardened, and he looked away. "It's not that simple, Shina," he said, his voice cold. "But if you're serious...then good luck."

His words hung in the air between us as we continued down the hallway. I knew he didn't fully trust me, that he saw me as a potential threat. But I also knew that he cared, in his own way. And that gave me hope.

For our child, for Alfonso, and for my clan, I would do whatever it took. I would strive for peace, no matter the cost.

As I walked beside Alfonso, my hand instinctively went to my belly, the gentle fluttering within a constant reminder of what was at stake. And with that reminder, I found the strength to continue with my task to bring security to my clan.

Because in the end, that's what love and duty was all about. Sacrifice and strength, even in the face of the hardest challenges. And for the ones I loved, I was willing to face any challenge that came my way. Even if it meant death.