THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

WILLIAM KOERSOMBRE POV: 

"Congratulations, you are pregnant." Those are the first words that greeted my ears when I enter Rebecca's tent. 

It has been two weeks and a half since our last operation and we have been moving towards Floras ever since. While patrolling and training with the soldiers and heroes, I have noticed that two people were especially happy even though we were encountering hardships and Longinus' ambushes from time to time: the hero Miss Farner and one of her friend. And today, I guess I understand the reason for that.

"W-wait, really?" Miss Farner's friend, Lanuvel Nikitis if I remember her name correctly, has been declared pregnant by Rebecca. Considering she has a lot of experience on that, I believe that diagnostic is a hundred percent valid. 

"Yes! I am so happy for you!" Rebecca grabs her hands and starts shaking them up and down happily. So much for pregnancy. Well, it is good news in those dire times so I guess I should be happy indeed.

"No way…" 

"No way…" 

"No way…" 

The heroes all say the same thing at the same time but with different expressions on their faces. Miss Farner has the happiest smile on earth. Miss Excia also looks happy but more surprised than anything. Miss Roxcia…Miss Roxcia's face is distorted from anger. Hm…What is happening?

Miss Farner goes to her friend first.

"Congrats!! I can't believe it!!" Her friend starts crying and so does she. 

"Yeah, I can't either!! This is a dream!" 

"You guys really did it, huh…" What did they do, Miss Excia? 

"You guys…There is no way, right?" Miss Roxcia walks a first step towards them then a second but then she stops completely. Her body is trembling like a leaf to the wind. "You betrayers…" 

"Roxcia, I…"

"You have betrayed me…No, you have betrayed humanity itself. How could you? How could do this to us?" 

"Hey, Roxcia, this isn't-"

"Shut up!!" Miss Excia tries to say something but Miss Roxcia's anger finally explodes. "Don't you dare say anything!! You knew it, didn't you?!! You knew that they slept with him!! And you didn't say anything!! You are just as guilty!!!" 

"Roxcia, calm down, please!" 

"No, Rebecca!!! How can I stay calm!! How should I stay calm when they have committed the worst crime possible!! They have-" 

"Calm down!" Rebecca's voice goes icy and powerful. It gives me, and I am sure everybody who is in the room, the chills. "There is a pregnant woman here. You are not allowed to yell."

"…I will never forgive you." 

She turns around and leaves the tent. Her tears spill on the floor while she does so. I don't know who is the father but considering how she has reacted, it must not be someone she particularly likes.

***

"You must take care good care of you now. Once you get back, make sure to stay warm and consult a priest regularly to make sure the child develops normally." 

The same day, in the evening, Lanuvel is leaving. Rebecca said something I can only agree with: there is no need for a pregnant woman on the battlefield. 

"I will try to, Saintess. But…" Lanuvel looks at her friends and the heroes. Miss Rocxia hasn't come to tell her goodbye. Did she really feel that betrayed? 

"Don't worry, I will talk to her." 

"No, I am pretty sure you talking to her will only worsen the situation, Farner." 

"I will. You can go at ease." 

"Thank you, Excia." 

"I have heard that you bear the child of my friend. Congratulations are in order then." Even the new Diz'kar: Alphonse Highlander is here. The only man who can possibly rivals with the high-commander now. To think that I was training all this time, hoping to surpass the high-commander one day. 

"Wishful thinking..." 

"Thank you, Sir Alphonse." 

"Al is fine. You are the mother of my future pupil so I can't have you being too formal with me. In fact, I will accompany you."

"No, I can't accept that, Sir Alphonse. People need you here."

"Hush...You are just as important. And should push comes to shove, I can just rapidly come back with a teleporting orb, right?" He looks at Rebecca for approval and she nods like nothing. Rebecca...Oh well, the high commander will be here soon so it is no too much trouble. 

"I...Thank you,Sir... Al." 

"You are welcome." 

"I hope your pregnancy will go well." 

"Thanks, Samson. I am sorry to leave like this." 

"No, you don't need to." 

"He is right. We will fight with double motivation now that we know it."

Everyone is saying goodbye to her while embracing her. Was it also like this for you, Rebecca. I don't remember much of the time we knew you were pregnant. I do remember how hard you slapped when I asked you if you were joking but aside from that… Is this really how joyful it is to have a child? Am I the only one who thinks this is overrated a bit?

"Protector, you won't say anything?" Why did you involve me in this, Rebecca. Now, everyone is looking at me. Oh, well, no can do. They are already all looking so.

I walk to her and extend my hand.

"Congratulations. As a parent, don't forget that it is your duty to make sure that your child grows up in a healthy environment. You will have to protect him and makes him feel safe. Sometimes, it will be difficult. Sometimes, you may have to do extremely hard choices but never must you give up on him." That's the lesson I have gained from my mistake. I hope you won't ever do the same mistake that we did. 

"I…I will try to. But-"

"From what you guys have been saying so far, I have come to understand that the father is mister Dragonroad. You should make sure he doesn't run away when he learns the news." 

"So should I with you as the grandfat-"

"Lanuvel!" 

Before she can finish speaking, Miss Farner tells Lanuvel off. But the part she said already is pretty disturbing. 

"What did you just say?" 

"Nothing. I said nothing. Now, goodbye everyone." 

She turns around and enters the carriage that will bring her back. Although it will be way longer with a carriage, Rebecca said that it is better than being teleported because there is a risk to lose the child. I don't know why but she must be right. She created it after all. 

But more importantly, what did she say just now? I turn to miss Farner but she is already leaving like the devil just scared her. 

"This is suspicious."