Chương 389: Facing the Future Together

The room fell completely silent. Much like when Atherius had first revealed the news to Callum, nobody seemed to know what to say. Evelyn simply stared at Caesar, her dark eyes wide with confusion as the realization slowly settled in. Embarrassment crept across her face, pregnancy had always felt like something distant, something that happened to other people. Not to her, and certainly not here. Artoria suddenly shot to her feet, raising a triumphant fist.

"Well done, Junior! Thanks to your efforts, the Pendragon bloodline shall live on!"

"Sit down." Callum's voice cut through the barracks before she could continue. Artoria blinked, then quietly lowered herself back into her chair.

"I see. My mistake." Evelyn barely noticed. She looked between Caesar and Callum, her hands drifting toward her stomach.

"... Wait. I'm pregnant? But aren't Paragons supposed to have an incredibly difficult time conceiving? I thought it was practically impossible." Caesar sighed and tapped a finger against the table.

"It is difficult, but difficult doesn't mean impossible." Artoria gently placed a hand on Evelyn's shoulder.

"Do not worry. If raising the child becomes burdensome, I shall gladly assist. Naturally, I must also teach them the Pendragon style." Evelyn brushed her hand away without looking at her.

"I don't want to hear anything from you right now." She buried her face in her hands and let out a shaky laugh.

"Oh, Creator... why now? Why here? Of all places, why couldn't I have controlled myself?"

"Eve..." She looked at Callum.

"Callum, why couldn't you—" Caesar raised a hand before she could finish.

"Please remain mature. I'm certain the details of your bedroom activities are fascinating, but the rest of us would prefer not to hear them." Artoria raised her own hand with complete seriousness.

"I would, in fact, like to know whether my Junior is capable of satisfying a woman." Caesar slowly covered his face.

"Unbelievable." Before anyone could recover, the barracks door burst open.

"EVE!" Yuki stormed inside and immediately stared at Evelyn.

"You're pregnant?! Eve got pregnant before me?!" Evelyn stared back in disbelief.

"... Can you not make this about our rivalry? I literally just found out myself!"

"Yes, you're pregnant," Yuki said, spinning toward Caesar with sudden determination.

"Caesar, it's time. We're having a child too." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Caesar crossed his arms.

"No. Absolutely not. Just because Evelyn has poor timing doesn't mean we need to copy her." Yuki puffed out her cheeks.

"Oh, come on! If she gets a successor, then we need one too. Maybe my child can finally beat hers!" That was enough. Callum stood, slamming his palms against the table with a sharp crack that silenced everyone.

"Enough." His voice was calm rather than angry, but that somehow made it more effective. He looked around the room.

"We need to talk. If you're going to help us, then stay. But if you're not going to contribute something useful, please leave." After several seconds, Caesar sighed.

"... Fair enough." He grabbed Yuki by the shoulder before she could protest and guided her toward the door.

"Come on. We're leaving." Yuki grumbled but, surprisingly, allowed herself to be dragged outside. Artoria rose next, placing a fist over her heart.

"I trust you shall make the proper decision, Junior. Whatever you decide, I shall respect it. Though I eagerly await meeting the next Pendragon." Callum rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Thanks." One by one, they left until the door quietly clicked shut. The silence that followed was different. There was no awkwardness or tension anymore, only the quiet realization that two people had suddenly been left alone with a life-changing decision. Callum slowly sat down again.

"... Any idea what you want to do?" Evelyn stared at the floor.

"... I don't know." It was exactly the answer he had expected. Only an hour ago, neither of them had even considered this possibility. Now they were discussing whether they were ready to become parents, and the whole situation felt almost unreal. Callum leaned back with a slow sigh.

"... Alright. Then let's not force ourselves into an answer today. We can give ourselves a week." Evelyn gave a weak laugh.

"You could give me ten weeks, and I'd probably still be just as confused."

"... Probably." He smiled faintly.

"So... what do you think?" She remained silent for several seconds before finally looking up.

"... I think I want to keep the baby." Callum didn't interrupt.

"Even if I'm terrified, and even if we're trapped in the worst possible place to raise a child..." Her hand rested gently against her stomach.

"... I'd rather have this child than spend the rest of my life wondering what could've been." Their eyes met.

"Are you sure?" Callum asked quietly. Giving her an opportunity to change her mind before that change was too late. Evelyn smiled, small but genuine.

"... Yeah. I think I am." She laughed softly.

"I doubt either of us has the slightest idea how to be parents. We're probably going to make thousands of mistakes."

"... Probably." Callum glanced toward the ceiling before smiling back at her.

"But at least we'll make those mistakes together." He stood, walked around the table, and gently took both her hands before sitting beside her.

"Eve, I need you to promise me something. If you're keeping this baby, don't do it because you think it'll make me happy. I don't want you sacrificing your future for mine. I want you to choose whatever future makes you happy." Evelyn smiled and leaned forward until their foreheads touched.

"... You're a terrible liar." Callum blinked.

"What?" She laughed quietly and gave him a brief kiss before resting her forehead against his again.

"You told me once that my happiness is your happiness. So if I'm happy..." She gently poked his chest.

"... then you're happy too. You're just as selfish as everyone else. You've simply gotten better at hiding it." Callum laughed.

"... Yeah. I guess I am." He lifted one of her hands and rested it against his cheek.

"I really am greedy." Evelyn climbed onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"And that's exactly why I love you." Her voice softened.

"If that same greed is what protects our child, then I don't think I'll ever have to worry." She intertwined her fingers with his.

"You promised me once that only death would ever separate us." Callum smiled.

"I did. And I meant every word." Evelyn nodded.

"Then we'll face this together, as we always have." For a long moment, they simply held each other, allowing the weight of their decision to settle between them. The future was still frightening, uncertain, and dangerous, but neither of them now felt as though they were facing it alone. Then Evelyn closed the remaining distance and kissed him again, holding onto him as the future before them suddenly seemed a little less frightening.