The classroom was still and quiet, but the Masked King wasn't paying attention to his lesson. His crimson eyes kept flickering toward Josephine as she sat at her desk, sketchbook open, pencil gliding across the page.
His jaw clenched. What the hell is wrong with me? he asked himself silently, unable to break the pull she had on him.
The door creaked open. A young woman entered, carrying a baby boy in her arms. Her presence broke his thoughts.
"Hello, brother," she greeted warmly.
Josephine turned at the sound.
"Dada!" the baby chirped, clapping his tiny hands.
"Hey, boy," the Masked King said, his voice softening. He strode forward, lifting the baby gently out of the woman's arms.
"Josephine, this is my sister," he explained.
"Hi," the lady said kindly.
Josephine lifted her hand and waved politely.
"How are you?" the lady asked.
Josephine signed quickly with her hands: I am fine. And you?
The woman blinked. "Uhmmm… you can't speak, girl?"
Josephine shook her head no.
"Oh, my bad then," she chuckled lightly.
Josephine nodded once.
The Masked King tried bouncing the baby, but the child began to wail loudly, tears spilling down his tiny cheeks.
"Shhh, stop crying!" the Masked King muttered, his frustration rising as he rocked him, but the baby's cries only grew louder.
Josephine's chest tightened. She couldn't stand to see a baby cry. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and pulled the baby from his arms. Everyone froze at her boldness.
She patted the boy's back gently, humming silently, before kissing his forehead. Her hazel eyes shimmered, and in that instant, a thunderclap rattled outside though it was daytime.
The Masked King's sister gasped. "What the fuck!?"
Josephine only shook her head, refusing to explain, and carried the baby toward the window. She played with him, letting him tug at her cheeks and kiss her face, his giggles echoing sweetly.
"Who is she? What is she?" his sister whispered.
"…Nobody knows," the Masked King said lowly.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, shifting the topic.
"Well, Mother has organized a lot of ladies for you—possible wives, and mothers for the both of you. She has picked Clara, the daughter of the Grand Duke of Port Azure. Half-lamin… half-witch," she explained.
"Yeah, no. I have other plans." His gaze lingered on Josephine.
"Whose daughter is she?" his sister asked curiously.
"King Hendrick's last child. Known in the academy as the ordinary one. Even her own mother despises her… just because she isn't like her siblings."
"Her eyes… they glowed," the sister whispered.
"Yeah. I'll explain later," he said curtly.
Josephine, unaware of their discussion, rocked the baby until his cries softened. She scribbled quickly on a scrap of paper and handed it to the Masked King:
What is his name?
He hesitated. "Honestly… I haven't given him one yet."
Josephine frowned, giving him a stern motherly look.
"Woah," his sister whispered. "She looks like his mom right now."
Josephine grabbed the paper again, wrote carefully, and passed it back.
How about Adris? It's a really cute name.
The Masked King repeated softly: "Adris…"
The baby stirred in his sleep, smiling peacefully.
"He loves it," his sister whispered with awe.
"Jojo, come on! Let's go! I promised to take you to the garden near the waterfalls—we're having a picnic. Noah is waiting," Oliver said as he entered the classroom.
"Hello," he added politely to the Masked King and his sister.
Josephine kissed the baby's cheeks and forehead, then handed him back to the Masked King. She waved goodbye before leaving with Oliver.
"She's a nice girl," his sister murmured.
"Yeah… she is," the Masked King admitted.
The Picnic by the Waterfall
Back at Hendrick's castle, everyone prepared quickly. They bathed, dressed, and packed baskets before heading down the hidden stone path that led beneath the castle grounds.
When they emerged, a breathtaking waterfall greeted them, roaring into a clear pool below. The air was cool, sparkling with mist.
Josephine froze, her lips parting as her eyes softened at the sight. For a moment, she felt at peace.
They spread out a mat and unpacked food, chatting happily. Josephine nibbled quietly, but her attention kept drifting toward the water.
Laughter erupted as the others changed into swimsuits and jumped in.
"WOOOOHOOO!" Theron shouted, flipping into the pool.
Josephine giggled silently, her eyes glimmering with amusement.
Curiosity tugged her. She walked behind the waterfall, slipped off her clothes, and stepped into the rushing water, letting it cascade over her.
Meanwhile – The Masked King's Castle
The Masked King finished a case, only to be met by his mother lounging on her throne, sipping from a crystal goblet of blood.
"I have picked a woman for you, my child," she said. "She is a vampire."
"Mama, I don't want anyone right now. Not until I am sure of what I am about to do."
"You never listen," she snapped. "That's how that bitch of yours left you—for your cousin. She wanted money and power. And she left you with your child!"
The Masked King's jaw clenched, rage simmering. "Mama, you chose her. I've always obeyed you. Haven't I?"
She fell silent, then shook her head. "No, you haven't disobeyed."
"Good. Then trust me. I'll tell you when the time is right," he said, leaving her behind.
He entered his room, lying beside his sleeping son. He noticed the baby's tiny fist clenched around something. Carefully, he opened it.
A blue flower hairpin—Josephine's.
"No wonder he's sleeping peacefully," he murmured. Closing his eyes, he extended his vision outward—across kingdoms—until his sight landed on Hendrick's lands.
Through his vision, he found Josephine… still behind the waterfall. Naked. He only saw her back, but his breath caught.
Wow, he thought before quickly shaking his head.
The Water Awakening
Back at the waterfall, Noah called, "Where's Jojo?"
"Jojo!" Oliver shouted.
They searched until Tess spotted her. "I found her!"
Inside the cave behind the falls, Josephine floated in the rising waters. Her eyes glowed deep blue.
"Jojo?" Tess whispered.
The water suddenly lashed out like spears, striking at them. Josephine stood atop the swirling current, commanding it with terrifying strength.
"No choice!" Noah and Oliver transformed into their massive wolf forms. Tess morphed into a bat. Piere summoned branches and leaves to bind her, but she tore through them effortlessly.
Anesthesia and Callum cast spells, but Josephine snapped her fingers—their magic shattered.
A dark voice echoed through the cave. "Hello…"
"Who are you? Show yourself!" Noah demanded.
Black smoke coiled behind Josephine, forming a woman's figure.
"Surprise!" a chilling voice laughed. Queen Hetragon appeared, touching Josephine's shoulder.
"But you're dead!" Callum exclaimed.
"Yes… a lost soul. A spirit searching for her lover's reborn soul," Hetragon hissed.
"Please, Jojo is still a child—leave her!" Piere pleaded, dropping to his knees.
"We beg you," Noah added, as all of them lowered themselves desperately.
Hetragon tilted her head, amused, then tapped Josephine's shoulder. Josephine collapsed, unconscious. The waters stilled. Hetragon clothed her body with a flick of her hand.
"Listen well," she declared. "I am not controlling her. It is the curse of Zephyria—it happened to me too. She is the next ruler. Very soon, she will lose control. And the one who will break her is none other than her own mother. Let her find Zephyria—it waits for her. She must sit upon the throne. Queen Josephine is the next ruler of Zephyria!"
Her laughter echoed as she vanished.
"Jojo? Jojo?" Tess crawled to her side, shaking her lightly.
"Let's take her back," Noah ordered.
The Castle Confrontation
They rushed Josephine back to the castle. Hendrick rose from his throne, alarm in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" he demanded.
"Well… Jojo kinda almost killed us all," Therodora admitted.
"What!?" Hendrick roared.
"She's fine—for now," Noah said, laying her gently down.
Hendrick stepped forward, but before he could touch her, a sudden gust of heavy wind blasted through the hall.
"Tf!?" Oliver exclaimed.
The Masked King appeared, striding toward them.
Everyone froze.
"I'm sorry, but what are you?" Anesthesia asked warily.
"Nothing," he answered flatly. His eyes lingered on Josephine as a faint whitish glow shimmered across her forehead before fading.
"Hmm…" he muttered.
"We need to keep her calm," he said. "Your coronation is next week, right?"
"Yes. On the night of the full moon and white moon," Hendrick confirmed.
"Who does Josephine love most in this world?" the Masked King asked suddenly.
"Nana," Tess, Callum, and Piere all said together.
"Ceillie. She loves her like a mother," Hendrick added.
"Good. Bring her on the coronation day. It is important," the Masked King said, his tone final. His crimson eyes locked on Josephine one last time.
"I bid you farewell."
He vanished with blinding speed.
"That man is fucking fast!" Theron exclaimed.
"I agree," everyone muttered together.