Chapter 80: Future of Quartz

Alfonso

I glanced at Shina who was smiling as she held her hands on her belly. I frowned, studying her. Why was she acting so off? There was something different about her. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Her question about peace, it was oddly mature. Or maybe it was the real Shina showing herself.

"Shina," I began, my voice cautious. "Are you... alright?"

She blinked, looking up at me with surprise. "Of course, Alf. Why wouldn't I be?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to voice my concerns. "You just seem... different," I admitted, watching her closely for any reaction. 

Shina laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh Alf, you worry too much. I'm just... I've just been thinking a lot, that's all."

"Thinking about what?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"About... the future," she said, her gaze distant. "About our clans, about... about what kind of world we're leaving behind for the next generation."

Her words surprised me. Shina was many things, but introspective was not one I would have counted among them. I studied her for a moment, taking in her serious expression, the thoughtful look in her eyes. 

Could it be that Shina was finally growing up? The thought was both relieving and unsettling. On one hand, it was good to see her taking things seriously. On the other, it reminded me of how much was at stake. How much we stood to lose if we couldn't find a way to bring about peace between our clans.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost missed the soft, almost inaudible whisper that escaped Shina's lips.

"For our child," she murmured, her hand absently rubbing her stomach.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Our child? Did she mean... Could she be...

Before I could ask, Shina looked up at me, a soft smile on her face. "I just want to do my part, Alf. For our clans, for the future, for... for our child."

Her words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken implications. I stared at her, my mind racing. 

This was unexpected. But as I looked at Shina, her hand on her stomach, a soft glow in her opal eyes, I realized that this could be the chance we needed. A chance to bring about the change we so desperately needed. 

"Say, Shina. Are you... pregnant?" I asked.

Her cheeks turned red. "S-so, you heard that."

I crossed my arms. "You have a knight standing right next to you. I would be a sorry excuse for one if I couldn't hear that."

She giggled. "Oh, really? I thought you were too busy in your inner world."

Maybe I was wrong about her growing up. She was still the same old tease.

"So, are you or are you not?"

Her gaze lowered to the orange carpet. "I... I am, according to the doctor you made me go to that one time I kept vomiting."

I facepalmed. How did I not figure it out? Maybe I wasn't as good of a knight as I thought myself to be.

"Shina...why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady. A mix of emotions whirled within me - shock, disbelief, and a strange sense of joy that I couldn't quite understand.

She shrugged, still avoiding my gaze. "I was scared," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I didn't know how you would react."

I sighed, running a hand through my pink hair. This was a lot to take in. But as I looked at Shina, her hand cradling her stomach, I felt a strange sense of resolve wash over me. 

"Well," I said, managing a small smile. "You don't have to be scared. We're in this together, Shina."

She looked up at me, surprise evident in her eyes. "Really, Alf?"

I nodded, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "Really. We may not have planned for this, but...we'll make it work. For our child."

Shina's face broke into a smile, and I felt a warmth spread through me. This wasn't how I'd imagined my life would be. But as I looked at Shina - the mother of my child - I realized that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something beautiful.

But there was one thing that bothered me. I still wasn't sure if she was a spy or not. For now, I had to keep an eye on her. After all, as a knight, it was my duty to protect the Quartz Clan. And if that meant protecting it from the woman I had gotten pregnant, then so be it. 

But despite all this, I couldn't help but feel a pang of excitement at the thought of becoming a father. I would do my best to ensure our child grew up in a world free from the conflicts of our clans.

Shina radiated warmth as she touched her stomach.

I turned away as the tips of my ears warmed up. "So, I heard the secondary ritual is about to take place."

She gasped as she looked up at me. "Already?"

I nodded. Kizu, her, and the other so-called 'Sages' had managed to invoked the gods, but they had yet to receive the sacred powers.

"Yes," I said, my gaze focused on the path ahead. "My mother, the high priestess of Quartz, has decided to move forward with the ritual. She believes that the gods have deemed you worthy."

Shina was silent for a moment, her hand still resting on her stomach. "And... what does that mean for us?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I glanced at her, my heart aching at the uncertainty in her eyes. "It means that things are about to change, Shina," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "For better or worse, our world is about to be reshaped."

She was quiet for a moment, her gaze distant. "And... our child?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "What will this mean for them?"

I reached out, gently taking her hand in mine. "We'll figure it out, Shina," I reassured her. "No matter what, we'll protect our child. That's a promise."

She nodded, squeezing my hand in return. "Thank you, Alf," she said, her voice full of gratitude. "I... I don't know what I would do without you."

I gave her hand another reassuring squeeze. "You won't have to find out," I told her. "Because I'm not going anywhere. Even when you and the other sages have passed, I will keep watching over our descendants."

She nodded weakly. As soon as she accepted the sacred powers, her life would be reduced to a few years. Whether our baby would be affected or not by it, I had no idea.