Y/n and Elsie sat in their room, the warm glow of a magic lacrima casting soft light across their faces. The room, though lavishly decorated with elegant tapestries and fine furniture, felt heavy with the weight of their mission and the unexpected turn of events. Y/n fiddled with the edges of a scroll, his brow furrowed in thought, while Elsie adjusted the folds of her dress, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation in her eyes.

The lacrima flickered to life, and the image of Zeref appeared, his expression stern and expectant. "Y/n, Elsie, report on your progress in the Magic Academy of Ranoa. Have you uncovered any signs of illegal magic?"

Y/n glanced at Elsie, then back at the lacrima. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation. "Lord Zeref, we haven't found any conclusive evidence of illegal magic activities in the academy yet. We've been thorough in our investigations, but everything appears to be in order."

Zeref's eyes narrowed slightly, his disappointment evident. "I expected more from you two. The academy is known for its secrets. Are you certain you've covered all grounds?"

Elsie leaned forward, her voice steady but tinged with concern. "We've done everything we could, Zeref. We've infiltrated various groups, attended secret meetings, snuck into the deepst chambers and even investigated the professors." Elsie stopped for a moment an embarrassed blush on her cheeks. "Even their kinks I have to admit and there's nothing suspicious to report on anything."

Zeref sighed, rubbing his temples. "This is not what I wanted to hear. This mission is crucial. The presence of illegal magic in Ranoa could be disastrous for Alvarez and our plan to invade the land of Ishgar."

Y/n shifted uncomfortably, exchanging a quick glance with Elsie. "There's something else we need to tell you, Zeref."

Zeref's eyes sharpened, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Elsie hesitated, then spoke up, her voice soft but firm. "During our time here, we got involved in a situation that required us to... assume roles. And in the process, we ended up agreeing to a wedding ceremony."

Zeref's eyes widened in shock, his composure slipping. "A wedding ceremony? How in the name of the devil did a simple mission turn into you two getting married?"

Y/n quickly intervened, trying to explain. "It's part of a larger plan, Zeref. We needed to infiltrate a group to gather more information, and this was the best way to do it. It's all for the mission."

Zeref looked at them incredulously. "For the mission? You're telling me you're getting married for the sake of the mission?" He flipped his hands up. "This is beyond reckless. Next up you will tell me Elsie, or rather Irene is expecting a child from you." He joked. Y/n looked to Elsie and she stayed strangely silent.

Several seconds passed as both Y/n and Zeref stared at her as she faced away her eyes from them. Zeref intertwined his hands staring at her intently. "You know silence says more than anything." Emperor Spriggan stated calmly and then flipped in a ledger before he turned to the side pinching the bridge of his nose. "Invel, do you know if we have any law on the subject of paid leave, I only have it vaguely in mind."

"Yes your majesty." Invel glasses gleamed in the light as he adjusted them with his finger, he reached for the book flipping through the pages of the comprehensive legal code of the Alvarez Empire. His fingers moved with practiced precision, stopping at a specific section that addressed workers' rights.

Zeref, also known as Emperor Spriggan, observed Invel attentatively, his expression one of curiosity and slight impatience. He rarely concerned himself with such mundane matters, but this situation was unprecedented. Invel, the winter general his most trusted advisor and right hand, had always been one who took the laws of Alvarez seriously to the tiniest detail.

"Invel," Zeref began, his voice calm but commanding, "Have you found anything?"

Invel adjusted his glasses, his expression as stern and composed as ever. "Your Majesty, it has come to my understanding that one of our operatives may require special consideration under the empire's legal code."

Zeref raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "Go on." Invel turned the book around, pointing to a specific paragraph. "According to the Alvarez Empire's legal code, any worker who is unable to work is entitled to paid leave. This includes cases of sickness, injuries, and notably, maternity leave."

Zeref's eyes widened in surprise. This was a new territory for him. He had never encountered such a situation with his Spriggan Twelve, the elite warriors who were the backbone of his empire. Brandish and Dimaria, two of his strongest Spriggans, had never needed paid leave, let alone for maternity and then there was Irene who he knew couldn't have any, from his state of knowledge.

"Maternity leave?" Zeref echoed, his tone a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Are you saying one of the Spriggan Twelve is pregnant?"

Invel nodded solemnly. "Yes, Your Majesty. It appears that Elsie or rather Irene, one of our operatives, may require maternity leave."

Zeref's gaze shifted to Elsie, who watched the discussion in the lacrima play out, looking equally perplexed as Zeref himself. "When is the due date?" he asked, still processing the information, trying to keep his calm as the strongest wizard among his warriors seemed to be in a bit of a pickle.

Elsie blinked, her confusion evident. "Due date? What are you talking about?" 

Invel cleared his throat, sensing the need to clarify. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should address this with Elsie directly. It seems there might be a misunderstanding."

Zeref nodded, gesturing for Elsie to be more attentive. "Elsie, is there something you need to tell us?"

Elsie looked between Zeref and Invel, her confusion deepening. "I'm not sure what this is about. Due date for what?"

Invel interjected gently. "Elsie, have you experienced any changes in your health or condition recently that we should be aware of, are you perhaps in expectation of a newborn?"

Elsie's eyes widened as she realized what they were implying. "Oh, no, no! There's no baby. I'm not pregnant." She shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel their concerns.

Zeref sighed, a mixture of relief and amusement crossing his face. "Invel, it seems we've misunderstood the situation."

Invel nodded, a rare hint of embarrassment in his usually composed demeanor. "My apologies, Your Majesty. I merely wanted to ensure we were prepared for any situation."

Zeref smiled faintly, appreciating Invel's diligence despite the misunderstanding. "Thank you for your thoroughness, Invel. Elsie, if there's anything you need, do not hesitate to ask. Your well-being is important to us, at least we know you are well taken care of by Y/n."

Elsie nodded, still a bit flustered but grateful for their concern. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll be sure to let you know if there's anything."

As Zeref and Invel returned to their usual composure Zeref rasped. "About your Wedding, can you tell me why exactly." He questioned.

Elsie clasped her hands together, her voice filled with sincerity. "We know it sounds strange, but it's the only way to get close to the people involved. This wedding is a ruse to gather intelligence."

Zeref shook his head, a mixture of frustration and disbelief on his face. "This is unprecedented. You've taken a great risk."

Y/n nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "We understand, Zeref. But we believe this is the best course of action. We have to adapt to the circumstances."

Zeref took a deep breath, his expression softening slightly. "Very well. But be cautious. This is a delicate situation, and any misstep could be disastrous. Keep me updated on your progress."

As the lacrima dimmed, its light fading away, Y/n and Elsie exchanged a look of relief mixed with determination. They knew the risks, but they also knew they had each other's backs. Y/n turned to Elsie, his eyes filled with concern and affection. "Are you alright?"

Elsie smiled, a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, I am. It's just... a lot to take in. But I believe in us. We'll get through this."

Y/n took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "We will. Together."

They sat in silence for a moment, drawing strength from each other's presence. The weight of their mission and the unexpected twist of their relationship hung in the air, but so did their resolve. They were in this together, and nothing could break their bond.

Y/n finally spoke, his voice steady. "We need to focus. There's still a mission to complete."

Elsie nodded, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Yes. Let's do this."

With a renewed sense of purpose, they rose from their seats, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would navigate the complexities of their mission and their evolving relationship, knowing that their bond was their greatest strength.

. . .

Elsie stood in the cozy, warmly lit kitchen, the scent of spices and herbs lingering in the air. She diceded to spent time with her mother while Y/n went to train the art of sword combat due to Irene's strict training regiment. Elsie fidgeted slightly, her hands twisting together as she looked at her mother, Irene, who was busy arranging ingredients on the wooden counter. Elsie's cheeks were tinged with a faint blush of embarrassment, a stark contrast to her usual confident demeanor. She took a deep breath and finally spoke, her voice a mix of determination and nervousness.

"Mother, could you teach me how to make one of the most difficult desserts? And... how to cook proper meals for Y/n?" Her words tumbled out in a rush, and she looked away, feeling the weight of her request.

Irene paused, her eyes softening as she turned to face her daughter. A gentle smile spread across her face, and she placed a reassuring hand on Elsie's shoulder. "Of course, Elsie. I'd be delighted to teach you. It's a wonderful thing to want to show your love and care for Y/n through cooking."

Elsie let out a small sigh of relief, her nerves easing slightly. "Thank you, Mother. I... I just want to be able to do something special for him, to show him how much he means to me."

Irene's eyes glistened with pride and emotion. She brushed a strand of hair behind Elsie's ear and squeezed her shoulder gently. "My tomboy daughter, growing into such a thoughtful and loving wife. This is all I've ever wished for you."

Elsie smiled shyly, her heart swelling with warmth. She watched as Irene began to gather the necessary ingredients for their culinary lesson. The kitchen was filled with an array of colorful fruits, aromatic spices, and rich, creamy ingredients. The air buzzed with anticipation as Irene explained the steps in detail, her voice calm and instructive.

"We'll start with the dessert," Irene said, handing Elsie a recipe card. "This is a classic cream puff recipe. It's one of the most beloved and intricate desserts. It's all about getting the choux pastry just right and then filling it with a delicate cream."

Elsie nodded, her eyes focused on the card. She felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension as she began to measure out the ingredients, following her mother's instructions closely. Irene demonstrated how to make the choux pastry, from melting butter in water to beating in the flour until it formed a smooth dough, and finally adding the eggs to create the perfect consistency.

"Remember, Elsie," Irene said softly, "baking is an art. It's about patience and love. Each step, each ingredient, adds to the final creation. Just like in a relationship, every little effort matters."

Elsie absorbed her mother's words, feeling a deep sense of connection to the process. As they worked side by side, she began to lose herself in the rhythm of mixing, piping, and baking. The kitchen was filled with the warm, inviting scent of pastry as the cream puffs rose in the oven, turning a beautiful golden brown.

With the cream puffs cooling on a rack, Irene moved on to the filling. She selected fresh vanilla beans, rich cream, and just the right amount of sugar. Elsie watched closely, her determination growing with each passing moment.

"Cooking for someone you love is a way of sharing a part of yourself," Irene said, her hands moving deftly as she whipped the cream and folded in the vanilla. "It's a way of nurturing, of showing that you care."

Elsie nodded, her heart swelling with a newfound sense of purpose. She mirrored her mother's actions, her hands becoming steadier and more confident with each step. They carefully filled the delicate puffs with the smooth, rich cream, each one a tiny masterpiece of flavor and texture.

As they finished the dessert, Irene turned to her daughter, her eyes filled with pride. "You've done wonderfully, Elsie. Y/n is a lucky man to have someone who cares for him as deeply as you do."

Elsie blushed, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Mother. I couldn't have done this without you."

Irene hugged her daughter tightly, a sense of fulfillment washing over her. "You've grown so much, Elsie. From a tomboy who preferred sword fights to a young woman ready to take on the responsibilities of love and care. I couldn't be prouder."

As they pulled away from the hug, Irene's eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint. "And speaking of cream, Y/n seems to enjoy a special kind of creampie." She winked, her tone playful.

Elsie giggled, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red. "Mother!"

Irene laughed, the sound warm and full of affection. "I'm just teasing, dear. But in all seriousness, you've done a wonderful job. Now, let's see if you can recreate this for Y/n. Elsie paled lightly. "I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."