Chapter 12: Unexpected Blessing

Lucy slowly opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. The room was lavishly decorated, with rich tapestries hanging from the walls and a soft, luxurious bed beneath her. It took a moment for her to realize where she was. Her last memory was of collapsing in the marketplace, and now she found herself in what looked like a royal chamber.

As her vision cleared, she saw Brandish sitting beside her, a worried expression on her face.

["Lucy, you're awake,"] Brandish said, her voice gentle. ["How are you feeling?"]

Lucy blinked a few times, trying to gather her thoughts. ["I'm… okay, I think. I'm just… relieved to see you, Brandish. I guess all the tension from everything that's happened just left me when I saw you."]

Brandish gave her a small smile, but it was clear she was still concerned. ["You're safe now, Lucy. But why are you here all alone? And in this state?"]

Lucy frowned, trying to make sense of her words. ["I don't really know. It's a long story, and honestly, I'm not sure what I should do. I came here because I felt like it was the only place left for me to go. But what do you mean, 'in this state'?"]

Brandish's eyes widened in shock. ["You… you don't know?"]

["Don't know?? What?"] Lucy asked, suddenly feeling a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach.

["Lucy… you're pregnant,"] Brandish said softly, her voice laced with surprise and concern. "I thought you knew…"

Lucy stared at her, the words not registering at first. ["What? That's… that's not funny, Brandish. You shouldn't joke about something like that."]

["I'm not joking,"] Brandish insisted, her expression serious. ["I can tell by your magic signature. It's faint, but it's there."]

Before Lucy could process what Brandish was saying, Dimaria entered the room, leaning casually against the doorframe.

["She's right,"] Dimaria added, her tone more matter-of-fact. ["It's clear as day. You're going to have a baby, Lucy."]

Lucy's heart raced as the reality of what they were saying hit her. She felt a mixture of emotions—shock, fear, happiness, and an overwhelming sense of confusion. ["But… how? I mean… when?"]

As the pieces started to fall into place, Lucy remembered the night she spent with Natsu before she ran away from the guild. The memory of that night, filled with warmth and love, came flooding back to her. She had been so consumed with fear and doubt that she hadn't even considered the possibility of this.

"I'm pregnant…" she whispered to herself, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. The idea of carrying Natsu's child filled her with a deep sense of joy and wonder. ["Natsu and I… we're going to have a baby."]

A small smile formed on her lips as she imagined a new generation of Fairy Tail, a new family member that would carry on their legacy.

["I'm happy... the guild will be delighted too,"] Lucy said, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. ["I want Natsu to know first... and Happy, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Carla... everyone will be so surprised to know."] As she imagined the reactions of her friends, a sense of warmth and belonging filled her heart.

But as quickly as happiness came, a wave of dread washed over her. The threat that had driven her away from Fiore—the mysterious force she couldn't quite understand—now loomed larger than ever. How could she protect her child from whatever was coming? How could she keep them safe when she wasn't even sure what she was up against?

["I'm afraid....I don't know what to do,"] Lucy admitted, her voice trembling. ["I'm so scared, Brandish. How am I going to protect this baby? I can't even go back to the guild now. This baby can't even go to her real home, and what if something happens to her or me? How can I face Natsu and the others if they know?"]

Lucy started panicking, her mind racing with questions and fears. Brandish reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Lucy's shoulder.

["Lucy, calm down. You're not alone. I am—no, we all are—here for you. And I don't know why you think you can't go back, but don't forget this is your home too. We'll figure it out together. You have people who care about you—Natsu, your friends in Fairy Tail, and even us here in Alvarez."]

Listening to Brandish, Lucy finally began to calm down.

["Thank you, Brandish, but I still can't shake the feeling that there's a threat coming... for me, for all of us."]

Dimaria, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. ["What are you worrying about, Lucy? Why do you think it will be dangerous for everyone?"]

Lucy took a deep breath, steeling herself. ["I'll explain everything, but first, I need to meet Ajeel."]

Brandish nodded, understanding the gravity of Lucy's request. She helped Lucy out of bed, offering her support as they made their way to the throne room. As they walked, Lucy's thoughts raced. She knew Yajeel was powerful and wise, but she wasn't sure if even he could help her understand the looming danger.

When they entered the throne room, Ajeel, the current king of Alvarez, was waiting for them. He stood with an air of authority, his eyes sharp as he observed Lucy and Brandish.

Lucy steeled herself, knowing that whatever happened next would determine the future not just for her and her child, but for everyone she cared about.