I was actually starting to relax for the first time all evening when Cana swaggered over to our table. Her usual barrel tucked under one arm and an extra mug in her free hand. Her cheeks were already flushed pink from her earlier drinking, but her steps were still steady. For Cana, this was practically sober.
"Hey there, your royal highness," she said with a playful grin, plopping down in the chair across from them. "And your majesty's lovely lady! How about a drink to celebrate? I've got some of the good stuff here."
She gestured to her barrel with obvious pride. "This is a twenty-year-old whiskey I got from a mission."
Cana poured herself a generous measure, then held up the second mug toward Irene with an expectant smile. "Come on, don't leave me drinking alone! Tonight's special!"
"That's very kind of you, Cana," Irene said gently, her red eyes warm but apologetic. "But I'll have to pass."
"Pass?" Cana blinked in confusion. "But it's a party!"
"She really can't," I said quickly, probably with more edge in my voice than necessary.
Cana's brow furrowed as she studied Irene's face. "Can't? What do you mean, can't? It's not like one drink will—"
"Not sick," I said softly, and without thinking, my hand moved to rest on Irene's stomach.
I watched Cana's eyes follow my movement, saw the exact moment realization dawned on her face. Her mouth fell open, the mug in her hand trembling slightly.
"Oh my god," she whispered, barely audible over the music. Then, much louder: "She's pregnant?!"
The words rang out across the guild hall like a bell. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Heads turned from all directions. Even the music seemed to stutter to a halt.
My heart sank. We'd planned to announce this properly, maybe tomorrow when things were calmer. So much for that plan.
"What did she say?"
"Did someone say pregnant?"
"Pregnant?!"
Suddenly, every single person in the guild was staring at us.
"Well," I said, running my free hand through my hair. "I guess that's out now."
Irene laughed softly beside me, placing her hand over mine where it rested on her stomach. "I told you we should have announced it properly."
"You're really pregnant?" Erza stepped forward, and I watched her stern expression melt into something softer than I'd ever seen on her face.
Irene nodded to her daughter. "About three weeks now."
I saw Erza's hands tremble slightly at her sides, for a heartbeat, I thought Erza might actually cry.
"Congratulations, Mother," she murmured against Irene's shoulder, and I could hear the emotion thick in her voice.
The guild hall exploded.
"A BABY!" Elfman roared, pumping his fists in the air while his Machoke flexed enthusiastically beside him. "THAT'S THE MANLIEST THING EVER!"
"Oh my goodness!" Mirajane clasped her hands together, her eyes literally sparkling.
Natsu bounced on his feet like an excited kid. "Does this mean the baby will be a king or queen too?!"
"That's how hereditary monarchy works, flame-brain," Gray said, grinning widely. "Congratulations, you two!"
I looked around at all their faces—genuinely happy, excited, supportive. The knot of anxiety in my chest started to loosen. Maybe announcing it this way wasn't so bad after all.
Master Makarov had gone very quiet, just staring at us with an unreadable expression. Finally, he spoke up, his voice unusually gentle.
"Irene... Aiden... this is wonderful news. Truly." He paused, then added with a slight smile.
As the initial excitement settled into warm congratulations and excited chatter about baby names and nurseries, I found myself relaxing completely for the first time all evening.
The party resumed with even more intensity than before, if that was possible. Someone had broken out the stronger alcohol, Natsu was attempting to teach Happy how to dance (badly), and I was pretty sure Elfman was trying to arm-wrestle his own Machoke while explaining the "manliness" of fatherhood to anyone who would listen.
I squeezed Irene's hand gently, watching the chaos unfold around us. First revealing my new royal status, now announcing the pregnancy. It wasn't how I'd planned to share our news, but watching everyone's faces light up with genuine happiness...
But as the evening wore on, I could see exhaustion creeping into Irene's features. The pregnancy was still early, but it was taking its toll, especially after such an eventful day.
"Ready to head home?" I asked quietly, leaning close to her ear.
She nodded gratefully.
As we made our way through the crowd, saying our goodbyes, Erza appeared at our side. She'd been quieter than usual for the rest of the evening, though I'd caught her stealing glances at Irene's stomach more than once.
"I'd like to come with you," she said simply. "If that's alright. It's been a while since I've been back at the fortress."
Irene's face lit up. "Of course, dear. We'd love to have you."
It took another twenty minutes to actually extract ourselves from the guild—everyone wanted one last congratulation, one more question about Avalon, one final toast to the royal baby. But finally, we stepped out into the cool night air, the three of us together.
The fortress had been our home base for months before we'd left for the hundred-year quest, and as we approached the familiar stone walls, I felt something in my chest settle. After weeks of travel, royal ceremonies, and guild celebrations, there was something deeply comforting about coming back to our quiet sanctuary.
"Home," Irene said softly beside me, echoing my thoughts.
"Home," I agreed, wrapping my arm around her waist as we walked through the gates together, Erza following silently behind us.
For the first time in what felt like forever, we were just us again. No crowds, no ceremonies, no grand announcements. Just family, heading home after a very long day.
=====
The next morning came too quickly, and with it, the weight of a conversation I'd been putting off for far too long.
I stood outside Master Makarov's office, my hand hovering over the door. Through the wood, I could hear the old man shuffling papers and muttering to himself about "paperwork mountains" and "lazy council members." Normal guild master complaints.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked.
"Come in!" his voice called out.
I pushed open the door to find Makarov seated behind his oversized desk, looking almost comically small compared to the stacks of documents surrounding him. He glanced up as I entered, and his expression immediately grew more serious.
"Aiden," he said, setting down his pen. "I was wondering when you'd come to see me."
"Master," I said, taking the seat across from him.
"So," Makarov leaned back, his sharp eyes studying my face. "I imagine being crowned king changes things considerably."
"It does," I admitted. "More than I expected, honestly."
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. Finally, I found my voice.
"I thought about it for a long time…"
I did.
"And?"
I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze directly. "I accept."
The words hung in the air between us for a long moment. Makarov's expression didn't change, but I saw something shift in his eyes—relief, maybe, or satisfaction.
"Are you certain?" he asked quietly. "Being a guild master isn't just about power or prestige, Aiden. It's about responsibility. Every member of this guild becomes your family, your burden to bear. And now you're adding royal duties and fatherhood to that load."
"I know," I said, and I meant it. "But Fairy Tail has been my home since I arrived in Fiore. These people—they're already my family. And if you're stepping down, then someone needs to be here for them."
Makarov nodded slowly. "What about Avalon? You can't rule a kingdom from Magnolia."
"I'll manage both," I said with more confidence than I felt. "Avalon has been without a ruler for a century—it can handle having one who travels between kingdoms. And honestly, the experience I'll gain leading Fairy Tail will only make me a better king."
The old man was quiet for a long time then smiled, the fatherly smile I saw every time I was in the guild. "You've really grown now…"
"Then it's settled. The guild is yours, Aiden. May you lead it better than I ever did."
I stood up, extending my hand toward him. "I'll do my best to live up to your example, old man."
He shook my hand firmly, his grip still strong despite his age. "I know you will, my boy. I know you will."
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