So, I got through the night. Somehow. I think navigating an actual minefield would've been a much easier task, but it's whatever.
Well, I got up from the couch, setting aside the kimono I used for the blanket. Yeah, things were rough. But it's a new morning, and things will be different. I'll go check on Shuna, make sure she's…feeling…alright.
I got up and quickly rushed into the room. I sensed something in the room. It was automatic. I don't usually have my senses on, since I don't want so much information at all times, but this activated on its own. There's something in the room with Shuna.
I opened the room and looked around, but there was nothing.
"Do you have to barge in here like that?"
Oh, she's grumpy.
"I didn't mean to, Shuna. I just felt something here and wanted to see what was happening."
I don't know why, but she looked…disappointed? She shook her head while letting out a sigh before laying her head on the pillow again.
"I don't think I've ever seen you so oblivious before."
I don't know how to respond. Unless I want to make things worse.
She let out another sigh before waving her hand at me.
"Just come here. I'll show you."
I approached her bed, and she immediately grabbed my hand and placed it on her stomach.
"Uh, Shuna..what are you do—"
/\\//\\//\
Absolute silence. Absolute stillness. Artoria stood frozen to the point that it would make a statue look like someone pretending to be still.
Artoria's world around her seemed to zoom out as the realization hit her. The act of processing everything almost short-circuited her. She finally understood everything.
She started to count. And with each count that went up, she got more shocked.
'By Veldanava, the poor woman. How? Never mind, it's magic. And magic is how this will be handled. Because how else is she going to give birth to seven kids? My goodness, I know it's magic, but I didn't know it'd have this effect. I was fine with three, but this seems…no, I'll gladly accept this.'
Artoria was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't even realize how long she had been staying still and lost in her thoughts.
"Are you okay? Artoria, I'm still here."
"Huh? What? Oh, yeah, yeah, um, uh…"
"What are you going to do?"
"Um, uh, I…I have no clue."
"No one does."
"Shuna, I'll be back."
/\\//\\//\
The sound of a horse galloping through the city attracted many residents. Not only that, the flag of Tempest was being waved by its rider with sparks coming out from the top, and last but not least.
"YEEHAW, BABY! HELL YEAH!"
It was Artoria going maybe a little crazy as she was riding on Dun Stallion through the city. She pulled out a gun and fired shots into the air. They were blanks.
"People of Tempest! I declare this day to be a national holiday! We'll have a feast and a festival!"
Beniamru, who happened to be walking by, was curious and he ran with her to see what was happening.
"Lady Pendragon, what is the reason for this?"
"Huh? Oh, Beniamaru, perfect, you need to be the first one to hear this. Shuna's pregnant! I found out today, and this will be a festival to celebrate the day I found out!"
Benimaru stopped in his tracks as Artoria kept on riding Dun Stallion through the city. He stood in shock and surprise.
"WHAT?!"
Benimaru shouted before he ran off to tell his parents, which caused the news to spread like lightning to all the onis who came from their old village. If anyone would celebrate hard, it's going to be them. Shuna was still their princess. Did anyone question how odd it seemed? No. Why? Simple, if they couldn't explain it, it's magic.
/\\//\\//\
Needless to say, news spread fast. Very fast throughout the entire country and to other countries. While some sent word of congratulations, others took the news a bit too hard to put it nicely.
"Hinata, please tell me this is some kind of psychological warfare or some kind of sick joke," Luminous said in a trembling voice as she read the news article from Tempest while sitting on her bed.
"Lady Luminous…it's real. There are already preparations for a festival, and Artoria declared it a national holiday in her emoire by divine order," Hinata said straightforwardly. There really wasn't any way for this to be delivered in a way that wouldn't affect Luminous in some kind of way.
Luminous put down the newspaper on her nightstand and had a defeated look on her face.
"I knew I sensed something different about Shuna when we went to that victory parade, but this…I never thought it would be this," Luminous said a voice devoid of emotion. She stood up and opened a drawer from her nightstand. She pulled out five bottles of alcohol, the ones that could be bought from Tempest.
"Lady Lumious, you can't be serious," Hinata said with a look of horror on her face as she saw Lumios open up a bottle. Hinata had to hold up a hand to her nose to block out the smell of something akin to jet fuel. It was a sharp, strong, and potent smell. But Luminous was unfazed by it. She took the news very badly.
"I am. I bought ten of these bottles while we were over there. They cost a lot, but since they're limited and only sold in that city, I had to pick up a few," Luminous said as she started to pur herself a glass.
"But, Lady Luminous, one glass made you black-out."
"Yeah, I know. Maybe when I wake up, this will all be a dream," Luminous said before downing a full glass in one go.
But this time, she didn't fully black-out, but she was basically there.
"You know, Hinata, maybe this is a good thing. I couldn't get Artoria, but maybe I can get her child, hopefully a daughter. Actually, maybe I should go to Artoria and have her teach me whatever magic she used to have kids with Shuna and then apply it to you."
Hinata got whiplash from her statement. She tried to say something, but didn't even know what to say.
"Lady Lumious…you know what, here, have another drink."
Hinata decided to just get her another glass of the Pendragon specialty to make her blackout, since she thought that was the only reasonable response.
'Someone needs to keep her in check somehow.'
These next few months were going to be long for Hinata. She had a feeling she'd be running errands to Tempest for more alcohol.