The morning after the Smoking Realm trial rose slow and golden, the castle alive with whispers and clatters, but inside Xavi's private chambers it was quiet — the hush of a sanctuary that had been bled into life by fear and love.
Josephine was still unconscious, her body heavy with the weight of wounds and victory. The bed smelled faintly of ash and oxblood blanket. The silence broke when a small voice, soft as bells, piped up.
"Jojo? Jojo? Jojo!!"
Adris bounced on the mattress, his chubby little legs pounding, his hands reaching. His laughter shook the room and tugged at the heart of everything. Slowly, Josephine's lashes fluttered. Her eyes cracked open — a fragile, tender blink. She turned her face toward him, managed a weak smile.
At that same moment, the bathroom door opened. Steam curled out like a ghost, and Xavi stepped forth. A towel wrapped around his waist, another in his hand as he rubbed his wet hair dry. Droplets slid down his chest, tracing the muscles of a man built not for idleness but for war.
Josephine's eyes wandered, unbidden, over him. She noted the large scar — irregular, rough, cruelly etched — across his upper shoulder. It branched in crisscrossing lines down his back, a story written in pain and steel. His arms were like weapons in themselves, his abs ridged and taut, his body carrying both discipline and burden.
Josephine blinked slowly, caught between awe and curiosity.
Adris broke the moment — leaning forward, pressing a wet kiss to Josephine's nose. She smiled. She cupped his little face, the love spilling from her as natural as breathing. She treated him like her own son — no hesitation, no reserve.
Xavi turned, catching the sight of her awake. Relief softened his stern features.
"Morning, Ms. Josephine," he said, circling the bed, his eyes already scanning the bandages he had wrapped around her the night before. He touched her arm gently, checking the wounds.
"I won," Josephine signed weakly, her hands trembling but stubborn.
"Yeah, you did," he answered, voice thick with pride. "Everyone is proud of you. I am proud of you." His gaze lingered, a rare warmth lighting his eyes.
She rained kisses over Adris's cheeks, and the boy shrieked with laughter, wriggling in delight.
Xavi watched, caught off guard. Other women — even his own mother — never showered his son with such devotion. Yet Josephine… she loved Adris without condition.
"I love Jojo!!!" Adris declared suddenly, his words tumbling out in childish joy.
"I love you too," Josephine signed, her smile blooming as she held him closer despite her aching arms.
"You really love my son, don't you?" Xavi asked quietly.
Josephine nodded happily. She cradled Adris tighter, as though to prove it.
Xavi still stood in nothing but a towel. He cleared his throat. "Here is your food," he said, motioning to the tray on the table.
Josephine placed Adris gently on the bed and began feeding him small spoonfuls. She reached for the milk bottle.
"No," Xavi interjected firmly. "Josephine, give him blood. It's right there." He pointed to a crimson-glass bottle.
Adris pouted. "Milky, milky!!!" he whined.
"You'll be drinking blood, boy," Xavi said with finality.
Josephine hesitated, but she picked up the bottle, pulled Adris into her lap, and pressed it into his mouth with gentle care. Their foreheads touched as he drank, his little eyes fixed on hers.
She's such a good mother, Xavi thought, something tugging in his chest he hadn't felt in years. His lips quirked upward — a smile.
"My gosh… he is smiling at Josephine!!!!!!!!!" Xoni hissed from the door where she peeked.
"I am more shocked than you," Queen Olydia whispered.
"Should we start making arrangements for the wedding?" Hendrick muttered.
"Yeah, we should," Xoni agreed instantly.
But Xavi snapped his fingers. The door slammed shut, locking out their prying eyes.
Josephine turned to him with a questioning look.
"Nothing," he said curtly, slipping into long pants and pulling on a vest.
Adris finished his bottle, giggling in Josephine's arms before yawning. Sleep claimed him swiftly. She tucked him beneath his blanket, kissed his cheek, and brushed her fingers through his soft hair until he stilled. Xavi, watching from the chair, found his chest strangely full.
Josephine caught him staring. She made a sign.
"What?" he asked.
She shook her head, smiling faintly.
"You can eat now," he said, nodding toward the tray.
She sat at the table and began.
"I'll be right back," Xavi told her, stepping out for water. He was gone no more than six seconds. When he returned, the tray was spotless.
He blinked. "When… did the food go?"
"I finished everything," she signed innocently.
"That's a big ass lie!" he said, scanning her hair. Sure enough, noodles clung in stray strands, crumbs scattered across her cheeks.
Josephine grabbed the jug of water and tilted it back, drinking it all in one go.
"Damn!" Xavi exclaimed. "You have a tiny mouth but wide inside!"
She giggled shyly, no sound leaving her throat, then darted past him and down the stairs.
Ceillie sat with Tess, Callum, Piere, and the younger children. Josephine leapt into her arms.
"My baby girl!!" Ceillie cried, holding her tight. "Are you okay, love?"
Josephine nodded.
She crawled over to the others, clutching Tess, Piere, and Callum close. She signed at Callum: You have a date with Nyx.
Callum paled. "No, Jojo, she's my teacher, I can't—"
Josephine's eyes glowed yellow.
He latched onto Piere's arm. "…Uhm, I will go. Yeah. I'll go."
She clapped happily.
Meanwhile, Queen Olydia and Xoni whispered together.
"We'll set a test for Josephine," Olydia said. "To see if she can be a wife and mother. That's why I called Clara and King Valerius's daughter, Princess Remy. Remy is half witch, half demon — from the wizard's clan. They're on their way."
"I also discussed it with Ceillie, Hendrick, and Sophina. They agreed. We'll test your brother, too — to see if he will be a good husband for Josephine."
"I agree, Mother," Xoni said.
"Me too," Anesthesia added.
Xavi, always connected to Josephine's thoughts, heard everything. He laughed softly to himself. Let the tests begin, he thought, glancing at Josephine as she lay curled beside Adris, stroking his hair.
Later, in his chambers, he pulled Josephine against his chest and pinned her gently to the wall.
Are you crazy!? she signed.
"A little," he whispered before kissing her deeply, his hand sliding through her hair.
Calm, Xavi… stop yourself, he told himself in silence, even as her hands cupped his face. Her thoughts brushed his mind: His lips are soft for a heartless king.
Before things could deepen, a knock rattled the door.
Xavi broke away reluctantly, pressing one last kiss to her lips. "Who is there?" he called.
"Ceillie. I got clothes for Jojo."
Xavi brushed his thumb across Josephine's lips before pulling on a vest. He kissed her cheek swiftly as Josephine opened the door, hugging Ceillie tightly.
"Nana, does Josephine eat a lot?" Xavi asked.
"Yeah, why?" Ceillie chuckled.
He pointed at the tray.
Ceillie burst out laughing. "When she was six, I baked a whole batch of pastries. Before I could even flip the open sign, she ate every last one!"
Josephine smiled shyly, hiding her face.
Soon after, Ceillie, Hendrick, Sophina, and the children prepared to depart.
"I'll come back the last week of January," Ceillie promised.
"I'll send your personal maid, Assia," Sophina added.
"BYE JOJO!!!!" Tess, Callum, and Piere shouted.
"Bye Jojo," Noah, Theron, Therodora, and Oliver said.
Josephine waved until they vanished.
From his window, Xavi watched her sit patiently, sketching the dark forest into her journal while waiting for Assia.
Kara and King Nereon approached.
"Hey, Jojo. Look at me." Kara handed her a ring. "This is yours now. You can make it any jewelry you want. If anyone tries to take it, it will strike them and guide you. After your birthday, we'll find Zephyria — your kingdom. Please, don't be angry that day, okay?"
She slid the ring onto Josephine's finger. Immediately, Josephine's eyes glowed white. She lifted off the chair, body folding before releasing a blazing beam of light. Her braids unraveled, hair fanning in a radiant halo.
Elandra roared. Guards, Nereon, Kara — even Xavi's men — bowed instinctively.
Josephine landed, dazed, and signed: Why are you all bowing?
"Nothing," Nereon said quickly, ushering Kara into the carriage.
An hour later, Assia arrived. Josephine had dozed off on the chair, but stirred when the maid called her name.
"Princess Josephine?" Assia asked gently.
She yawned, stretched, and smiled faintly.
Four carriages rolled into the courtyard. From them stepped two women — Clara and Princess Remy, both luminous, graceful.
"Come on, let's go inside," Assia urged, taking Josephine's hand.
"Jojo!!" Adris squealed, toddling toward her. She bent, scooping him up.
Josephine's thoughts flickered at the sight of Clara and Remy: Woah, they look very, very pretty.
Xavi heard her and smirked.
In the kitchen, Josephine donned an apron. "Lady Josephine, please — let us cook," a maid protested.
Josephine scribbled on a paper: I will cook for everyone. It's fine.
Queen Olydia walked in. "How are you, Josephine?"
"I am fine," Josephine signed.
The Queen patted her head before leaving.
Despite her injuries, Josephine prepared an array of dishes — rich with spices, warmth, and care. The maids served them as she sat, feeding Adris mashed potatoes and beef suitable for him.
He clapped, demanding, "More! More! More!!!"
"Wow, Josephine, this is amazing!" Xoni exclaimed, taking a bite of coconut-pineapple rice with sausage.
"Yeah!!!" Anesthesia agreed.
Josephine carried a plate upstairs. In Xavi's study, she knocked softly. He turned, glasses perched on his nose.
"Need something, Ms Josephine?"
She stretched out the plate.
Will the heartless king take my food today? she thought, her face shifting with each word.
Xavi chuckled. "Come feed me, then."
Downstairs, Olydia and Xoni nearly dropped their cups.
"Mother, I think someone else is your son," Xoni whispered. "He told her to feed him!"
Inside, Josephine sat beside Xavi, but he pulled her fully onto his lap, shutting the door with a wave of his hand. She shyly fed him butter chicken, rice, and raspberry juice.
"Wow. You're an incredible cook. How about I make you my personal chef, hm?" he teased.
Josephine blushed. Maybe he's not a heartless king after all… he is a good man. And I love him. But… will he love me?
"Yes, I will love you, Josephine," Xavi murmured suddenly, startling her. "I'll try my best — even better than Velara. I never loved her. I only did what made my mother happy. Until she broke everything. I hope I never see that bitch again."
He set his plate aside, buttoned his shirt, and went downstairs.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Clara and Remy bowed.
Xavi ignored them, heading straight for his son — who was dancing happily with Josephine, both their hands clasped, laughter filling the hall.
Xavi watched them with a rare, quiet smile.
"Let the tests begin," Queen Olydia whispered.
"Yes, Mother," Xoni agreed.
Let the tests begin indeed, Xavi echoed in his mind, eyes never leaving Josephine.