Guests began to arrive at the castle in shining carriages and shadows of beasts. Their footsteps echoed in the grand marble hall as King Hendrick personally welcomed each king and their families.
Far away, Ceillie had already finished packing and was on her way to the castle. Noah had ordered guards to escort and protect her carefully.
Upstairs, Tess was gently finishing Josephine's preparations. She tied the last ribbon in her hair, then stepped back, her eyes shining.
"Awww, look at you… so beautiful, Jojo," Tess whispered.
At that moment, Noah walked into the room. His eyes softened as he saw Josephine, but quickly hardened when his gaze fell on Tess.
"Hey, Jojo," he said, his voice rougher than usual.
"Your Majesty," Tess replied formally, bowing.
That word burned Noah's heart, and his anger spiked.
"I want to talk to you, Tess," he said firmly.
"I need to go," Tess muttered, avoiding his gaze. She quickly pulled Josephine by the hand, leaving the room.
Josephine looked back at Noah as they left. She gave him a small wave. His heart shattered.
"Tess…" he whispered, broken.
Downstairs, the grand hall grew silent as Josephine entered with Tess holding her hand. All eyes turned to her.
Not because she was breathtakingly beautiful—though she was—but because whispers hissed from the crowd:
"The ordinary one…"
"That's her…"
The words pierced her heart. She lowered her gaze.
From across the room, little Adris spotted her. He reached out with tiny arms, and the masked king's sister, a regal young woman, approached Josephine.
"Hello, Ms. Josephine," she greeted kindly. Adris clapped as Josephine picked him up, kissing his cheeks. He laughed, his tiny hands pulling at her hair.
Josephine's attire was striking: a dramatic dark red gown with a sheer black tulle overlay, teardrop earrings, and small dark red heels. Her hair was styled in a loose, romantic braid with a casual, bohemian charm. She looked like a dream as she held Adris in her arms.
She signed with her hands, asking: Where is the Masked Man?
"He will be here," the young woman replied. "My name is Xoni. I am the twin sister of the Masked King."
Josephine smiled softly at her words.
Anesthesia appeared, smiling wide. "Jojo love, there you are. Dad wants us together—come on." She grabbed Josephine's hand. But when her eyes met Xoni's, their gazes lingered. Xoni winked playfully. Anesthesia's cheeks burned red, and she quickly looked away.
Then, the Masked King himself entered the hall.
At exactly 7:00 p.m., Noah walked down the staircase. Everyone's eyes followed him as he approached his father and mother. He bowed first to them, then to the people, and then to all the gathered kings.
The full blue moon shone through the towering windows, bathing him in its glow.
"Today is a great day," King Hendrick declared proudly. "A day when my son Noah shall be named the next King of Dravenor—the mighty King of Werewolves!"
Cheers rang out, though Josephine tilted her head in confusion, unsure why everyone bowed. Adris, meanwhile, was loosening her braids with tiny playful fingers.
Hendrick placed the crown upon Noah's head.
"I now make you the Crown Prince of Dravenor and the future King!"
As the blue moonlight struck him, Noah transformed into a massive wolf the size of his father. His roar shook the hall.
"Prince Noah!" the people cried, bowing deeply.
But Josephine did not bow. She only stared, her eyes wide with wonder. Hendrick noticed, smiling at her. Sophina and Rune, however, scowled with fury.
When Noah shifted back, his eyes searched instinctively for Tess. She quickly looked away.
In the ballroom, music swelled as nobles danced. Xoni approached Anesthesia with a smirk.
"May I have this dance?" she asked, extending her hand.
"Uhmmm… yeah, sure," Anesthesia replied shyly, letting Xoni lead her to the floor.
The Masked King entered soon after, accompanied by his mother, Queen Olydia, who elegantly sipped a goblet of blood.
Hendrick was speaking with the kings when another asked, "Is she stable now, Hendrick?" King Azul pressed.
"Yes, she is," Hendrick replied firmly.
"King Hendrick!" the Masked King—Xavi—said as he strode toward them. "Call Josephine."
"Jojo!" Hendrick called. She stepped forward and waved politely at Xavi.
"I believe you've met my mother," Xavi said.
"Hello, Hendrick," Queen Olydia greeted.
The hall murmured. "Then that means you're…" King Emeric began.
Xavi smirked, removing his mask. He popped a piece of gum into his mouth and chewed casually.
"Yes. I am King Xavi, son of King Roman."
The hall gasped.
Josephine stared, stunned. Woah… he's very, very extremely handsome.
Xavi's eyes softened as he touched her face gently, then tickled Adris, who giggled.
"Dada!" Adris squealed.
Sophina's mouth fell open in shock.
"You and I have much to discuss about Josephine," Xavi said smoothly. "But first—may I have this dance?"
Josephine looked at her father. Hendrick's face was pale with fear, but slowly she nodded.
Xavi led her onto the dance floor. His medium-length mullet of black and dark red hair framed his sharp, handsome face. His scar across the forehead made him look dangerous yet magnetic.
"Why are you staring at me, Ms. Josephine?" Xavi teased.
She shook her head quickly.
"Do you want to get married?" he asked bluntly as they swayed.
Her eyes widened.
"Do you?" he pressed again. "For Adris?"
She signed: I'm only sixteen. A small girl.
"I know," he said with a sly smile. "But when you are seventeen, you will."
The dance ended, and she ran back to Adris, who clapped his tiny hands with joy as she lifted him into her arms.
Noah approached Josephine, where Tess stood nervously beside her. Tess tried to leave, but Josephine clung to her hand, refusing to let go.
Josephine tapped Noah's head playfully, while Oliver, Theron, Therodora, and Anesthesia gathered.
"I just had the best dance with Ms. Xoni. She's soooo fucking hot," Anesthesia grinned.
"Aww, who's this little cutie?" she added, tickling Adris.
Noah's gaze never left Tess.
"Excuse me?" a sharp voice cut in.
It was Asku, princess of the Ironpaw clan, with striking green hair and an arrogant expression. Behind her stood her gang.
"You were the one dancing with King Xavi, right?" she sneered at Josephine.
Oliver snapped his fingers, and his friends closed in protectively.
"Yeah. Is there a problem?" he challenged.
"Yes," Asku spat. Another girl, Creys, stepped forward. "You're just an ordinary girl. You shouldn't be near a great king like him—let alone dancing with him."
Josephine gave Adris to Oliver and calmly moved forward, attempting to walk away. But Asku shoved her back.
"Hey!" Therodora snarled.
"She's talking to you. Not that you can even speak," Asku mocked cruelly.
Anger boiled in Josephine. She shoved Asku back. The princess stumbled and fell.
"Ouch!" Asku shrieked.
Sophina appeared suddenly, her face twisted with rage. She slapped Josephine across the face in front of everyone.
"SOPHINA!" Hendrick roared.
"Mom!" the children cried.
"How dare you push her! And yes—she's right! You stupid child, you can't speak. You're not like anyone else. Just ordinary. Dumb. Ordinary! I wish you had died during birth!" Sophina screamed venomously.
Josephine froze, tears spilling. Dark smoke began curling from the ceiling.
"Poor Jojo…" a voice whispered as Hetragon emerged from the shadows, wrapping her arms around Josephine. "Don't cry, my love. They don't love you. But I do. I'm always with you."
Josephine nodded weakly.
"Look at your mother. She insulted you in front of everyone. Nana never did that, right?" Hetragon coaxed.
Josephine trembled, lost.
"Come on, Jojo. Remember the lashes? The stones? How your grandmother told you to leave her sight? How they used you as a slave? Remember when Sophina tried to burn you and Nana alive when you were four? Am I wrong, Sophina?"
Sophina's face turned pale. "I… I…"
"Did you?" Hendrick demanded.
Sophina shook, but the truth spilled. "Yes… yes, I did!"
"She killed your cat Bella," Hetragon added cruelly.
Josephine gasped, her hands trembling. She killed her? she signed.
"Yes," Hetragon confirmed.
Josephine let out a silent scream, thrashing her legs against the ground. Her gown ignited with red and blue flames.
"She's almost there…" Hetragon whispered.
"Josephine is a disgrace! Nobody respects Her she is ordinary!"Hetrgon said Reed shouted.
Josephine wailed harder. Her eyes glitched wildly. Her hair and body wrapped in black fire.
"She did it!" Hetragon cackled Hendrick what comes after the blue moon? Hetragon said with a huge grin
"The Red Blood Moon comes after the Blue!" Xavi said calmly.
"Exactly," Hetragon smirked. "Destroy."
Josephine rose into the air, raising her hands as the ground trembled. She lifted Sophina by the throat, choking her in the air.
"Jojo! Let her go!" Hendrick begged.
But Josephine didn't listen. She hurled Sophina to the ground, then spun, tearing the castle apart with her fury.
"Everybody outside!" King Blake of the shapeshifters roared.
The nobles fled as half the castle collapsed.
Adris whimpered. "Dada…"
"Shhh," Xavi whispered, shielding his son.
"She just wanted love from her mother," Xoni said, sorrowful. "But no one gave it to her."
The blue moon faded—covered in blood.
"Josephine!" Hetragon roared. "The Queen of Zephyria! The Silent Queen!"
Josephine floated higher, eyes pure white, her body engulfed in black fire.
The Guardians appeared, their voices rising in unison:
**"Silence, silence, crown of flame…
Whisper, whisper, our Queen shall reign…
Rise, rise, Purple Moon…
Fall, fall, kingdoms soon…
Blood shall bind, blood shall break…
Titans stir, shadows wake…
Queen of Zephyria, Silent Queen…
Storm of night, eternal reign…"**
Hendrick and his family stood trembling, watching as Josephine—no longer the quiet girl they knew—has lost her mind now unleashed her true destiny.