Surprising News

Staying for four weeks, the women made themselves at home. Both of them live in their parent's living space. Rais and Hasna are temporarily absent due to problems outside of the clan. Recently, the people start to accept Lamia as one of their own. It took a while for them to welcome a stranger. They are in ease since she is good friends with Nagi.

In her room, Nagi lies on her back on her bed. She recently felt sick when the days pass by. She sits up from her bed when Lamia enters her room with a tray of food in her hands. Lamia kneels besides Nagi's bedside.

"Are you feeling well, Miss Nagi?" Lamia asks.

Nagi nods her head with a smile on her face. "Yes. I guess I pushed myself to hard lately." She answers. "Mama said that she will be coming soon to check what is wrong with me…"

Lamia nods her head then place the tray on Nagi's lap; the tray holds a cup of water with a hot bowl of vegetable soup. Nagi starts to eat her food while Lamia waits patiently for her to finish eating.

Finished eating her soup, Lamia took the tray to the side. She heard footsteps behind her, the woman looks behind her to see the elderly woman, Inas standing at the doorway. Inas smiles at both of them then walks to Nagi's bedside.

"Mama, I'm sorry for bothering you." Nagi apologizes.

"Nonsense dear, I always make time for my little Nagi. Now then let's find what is wrong with you." Inas said. Nagi starts explaining a couple of symptoms such as throwing up from certain foods, being tired easily, etc. Inas waits patiently to let Nagi finish talking. A certain thought went through Inas' head. Placing her staff down at her side, Inas held out her hands to Nagi.

"I need you to lay down dear; I will need to check your vitals." Inas instructs the woman. Nagi blinks for a moment then lies down on her bed. Inas gently place her hands on Nagi's stomach area. Inas' hands lit up in a gentle glow.

"Can I ask what are you doing Madam Inas?" Lamia questions her while watching Inas work.

"This is magoi manipulation." Inas answers, "It helps me check if something else is wrong with her internal organs or vitals." She let her magoi flow into Nagi's body, seeing everything in the inside. Inas notices something small present in Nagi's lower part. The old woman could see small strings like nerves connect to the small being. Pulling her hands away from Nagi's stomach, Inas could feel small tears forming at her eyes. The old woman places her right hand over her mouth to prevent sobbing out loud. Nagi's eyes widen to see her grandmother suddenly tearing up. Sitting up, Nagi touches Inas' shoulder.

"Mama? Mama, what's wrong?" Nagi questions the teary woman with shock and worry. Lamia shows her concern also over the emotional woman. Inas places both of her hands on Nagi's hand.

"There is nothing wrong my child. These are happy tears." Inas explains.

"Happy tears?" Nagi and Lamia asks at the same time.

"N-Nagi…dear you are having a child." Inas said, trying to contain her happiness. Nagi's heart felt like it stop for a moment. Lamia suddenly shares the same emotions at Inas, covering her eyes with her sleeve.

"Congratulations, Miss Nagi. You weren't sick! You are carrying a baby!" Inas cries out in happiness. Nagi pulls away her hands from Inas to place them on her abdomen. '…Our baby…' She thought. Nagi remains motionless as tears fell from her eyes. She bends her head down as more tears come out.

"O-Our baby…will be happy and safe, Kouen. I swear on it." Nagi promises. She wraps her arms around her abdomen. 'Return home…to us Kouen. We will be waiting for you.' Nagi silently prays for Kouen's safety. The women watch Nagi cry out in happiness and yet sadness from the absence of the father.

Holding a couple of papers in her hands, Nagi reads small news from the outside world. She let out a soft sigh when she doesn't read anything relating to her friends or the Kou Empire yet. The woman looks up from her reading to see the door open to reveal Lamia holding a couple of books in her hands. Lamia closes the door behind her.

"You should not work right now." Lamia lectures Nagi as she approaches her bedside. Nagi let out a short laugh, "Oh no, I'm not working. I'm just trying to catch up what is happening outside." Her friend and took the papers away from her hands.

"I'm sure everything is fine. You should read these books; they can help you with the baby." Lamia reassures her. Nagi takes the books from Lamia's hands and start reading one. A noise from outside break their concentration. The noise almost sounds like a male voice. The male voice gets louder when it enters the home. Both women jumped in surprise when the door is slammed open with such force. The person behind the door was Rais. Behind Rais is his wife Hasna, she tries to pull Rais back by his left sleeve. It failed when Rais quickly out of Hasna's reach when he approaches close to his daughter's bedside.

Lamia could feel a cold sweat down her face when she is frozen under Rais' glare, the leader of the Asad. Hasna looks worried for Nagi and Lamia as she stood at the doorway of Nagi's bedroom. 'Is….Is this Miss Nagi's father?! I don't want to die yet!' Lamia cries out silently. Lamia hears Nagi speaking up from her left side. Nagi remains sitting up from her bed, looking tired.

"Father, please don't scare my friend." Nagi said. Rais turns his attention to his daughter then glares at her. "Explain to me why you –" Rais tries to speak but interrupted by his wife, Hasna who grabs his collar. With ease, Hasna drags Rais with her to leave Nagi's room. Rais shouts out in surprise, "O-Oi!"

"Dear, don't bother your daughter right now. You need to relax." Hasna explains. The women could still hear Rais trying to get out his wife's grip and shouting in the distance.

"…They are my parents." Nagi explains to Lamia.

"I-I see…" Lamia mutters. Secretly, Lamia is surprised that couple is Nagi's parents. 'I'm not sure if i should be worried or scared right now…' Lamia thought to herself.

After a couple of hours, Hasna and Rais return to their daughter's bedroom. Rais looks down at the floor, keeping silent under his wife's gaze. Lamia stands up from her seat to leave Nagi with her parents. Hasna and Rais kneel down Nagi's side.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Hasna asks, pat on Nagi's head to help her feel relaxed.

"I'm feeling better, mother. Lamia and Mama Inas helps me." Nagi answers.

"I got her message when we are returning back home. Congratulations sweetie, I'm glad you found someone to settle down with." Hasna said. Nagi nods and turns her head to Rais who had a frown on his face. Nagi tilts her head with confusion.

"Father?" Nagi speaks up in a soft voice. Hasna glares at her husband then smacks his shoulder to get his attention. Rais looks up to see both of them looking at him. He crosses his arms over his chest, letting out an angry grumble.

"Nagi." Rais spoke up.

"Y-yes?"

"Who is the father?" Rais asks. Nagi blinks for a moment then slowly opens her mouth.

"Kouen Ren." Nagi answers in a serious expression. Rais froze in shock as he points his left hand at her stomach, his left hand shakes in shock.

"Y-y-you….and Kouen Ren….?!" He sputters out, unable to form words. Nagi nods then she watches her father's soul left his body for a second then returns back to reality.

"That man doesn't have enough guts to get my blessing." Rais mutters. "Just you wait…"

"Father…" Nagi whispers. Rais looks at his daughter with a serious expression. "That man will not go near my daughter or her baby!" He exclaims. Rais only receives a smack on his shoulder from his wife. He held in his cry of pain from his wife's strength.

"Don't be ridiculous, dear. That man is part of our family now and the baby's father." Hasna glares at him. Rais lowers his head as he mutters out an apology. Hasna turns to Nagi pats on her hands.

"We will keep you updated on Kouen and the Kou Empire, dear. Just focus your energy on your baby." Hasna said. Nagi let out a couple of tears, thanking her mother. 'She is right…I cannot ruin the baby's health.' Nagi thought as she touches her stomach.

'I know you are strong like your father. I cannot wait to see you…' Nagi silently spoke to her child who is residing in her womb.

Returning to Balbadd, Kouen and his comrades received news of the Empress' murder by Hakuryuu. Everyone knows by now of the death of the Empress from the Kou Empire. The general of the Kou Empire looks from the balcony of his room.

'Maybe she knows by now…' Kouen thought to himself. Somehow the room felt empty without that familiar presence, a presence of warmth and comfort. Maybe the years of marriage got Kouen use to the life of someone standing by his side rather than being alone. At least he knows that Nagi is safe from this war against Hakuryuu. His mouth forms a little smile, knowing that Nagi prefers to stay on the battlefield with them.

"Lord Kouen." A male voice calls out from his room. Kouen looks behind him to see one of his men bowing his head to him.

"The meeting is ready." The soldier announced.

"Very well." Kouen answers, leaving his room with the soldier following him. For now, he must focus on winning this battle and making sure his men stay alive.

Nagi took in a large breath of fresh air. She stood outside of her parent's home to see the peaceful view of her home. Staying out of her stuffy room is a good change for her. 'I bet you will like living here. You will run and play with the other children~' Nagi thought with a smile on her face.

"Terrible news, Miss Nagi!" One man cries out as he runs to Nagi's side. She looks at the man with worry.

"Something wrong?" She questions the man. Her heart beats faster than before thinking of various ways that could be bad news. She doesn't know Hasna and Lamia stood at the front doorway, surprised of the man's appearance.

"The Empress of the Kou Empire has been murdered by Prince Hakuryuu. Futhermore, The prince declared an edict against Prince Kouen and his men, declaring them traitors against the Kou Empire! This is a civil war!" He explains.

Nagi's eyes widen from the news as her heart stops for a moment. She feels like she couldn't breathe. Her hands shaken with fear as she slowly falls to her knees, her legs refuse to work. Quickly the women rush to the emotional woman. Tears fall from Nagi's eyes; she tries to cover them with her left sleeve.

"Why are you telling my daughter about this!?" Hasna cries out. The man tries to explain himself until Nagi places her right hand on Hasna's left shoulder.

"Mother, please. Don't shout at him…he is doing the right thing." Nagi tries to quell Hasna's heart. Lamia helps Nagi to her feet. Nagi bows her head towards him.

"Thank you for this news. Please go."

The man nods his head then quickly left the women behind. Nagi let out a heavy sigh. Her hands tighten into fists.

"Kouen and his brothers will win this battle, I believe in them." Nagi faces Lamia and Hasna. "If this battle is a loss for them…a loss…a loss then-"

Hasna pulls Nagi into her arms, rubbing her back as she whispers comforting words to her. Lamia could her Nagi's muffled sobs.

"Just believe in them, they will win." Hasna reassures. Nagi pulls away to give her a nod, slowly she returns back to the home. Hasna and Lamia stood in silence until Nagi is out of earshot.

"Are you sure, Lamia? This will be a dangerous mission for you…Returning back to the Kou Empire at this time." Hasna looks at Lamia. Lamia gave her a large smile on her face.

"Yes, I'm sure I can bring Lord Kouen, Lord Koumei, and Lord Kouha here….Let us hope they are spared after the battle…" Lamia answers. She bows her head to Hasna and walks away from her. Hasna let out a small huff, "These young people are careless these days but I'm curious how this will turn out…"

A/N: I could feel this fanfiction ending soonnnn but I don't want to end it too early! Oh yeah...HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE! I hope none of you are drinking or being crazy. Be happy and safe everyone!

P.S.: Holy moley my house is too cold!

-Fancybunny