Xavi sat proudly upon his throne, his son Adris resting in his arms. The entire court bowed before him, Josephine among them. Beside Josephine, Anesthesia gently held her hand.
Adris giggled, sucking his thumb, his bright little eyes fixed on Josephine. She was weak, her body trembling, and when she coughed into her handkerchief, blood stained the white cloth. She quickly covered it.
"Jojo, do you need drugs?" Anesthesia asked softly.
Josephine only shook her head and forced a gentle smile.
Xavi's gaze lingered on her. His sharp eyes caught the subtle movement of her hand covering the blood. He leaned toward one of his guards and whispered firmly, "Get me the grand healer. Immediately."
"Yes, your majesty," the guard replied and hurried away.
Xavi shifted back in his throne, patting Adris's back as the little boy babbled.
"You okie?" Adris asked innocently, looking up at his father.
"Yes, my boy. I am fine," King Xavi said, his voice unexpectedly soft. His eyes then met Josephine's. He smirked at her, but it carried a shadow of curiosity and danger.
Clara and Remy entered, dressed finely, and stood together. Xoni stepped forward, taking Adris in her arms as the first test was set before them. But Adris began to cry.
Xoni made him cry harder. Josephine, following instructions, was kept at the back of the castle with Assia. Yet Adris's wails pierced through the walls and echoed all the way to her ears.
Remy rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I hate this!"
"Stop fucking crying!!" Clara snapped.
"Jeez," Remy muttered. "Take that fool away."
Clara waved dismissively, and the maids carried the boy. Adris cried even louder, his sobs breaking through Josephine's heart.
Remy's hand flew out and slapped the child.
The sound echoed. Adris wailed, louder and sharper, his little body shaking.
The moment Josephine heard his cry, her entire being flared. Her eyes glowed a fierce, burning red. In the blink of an eye, she vanished into thin air.
With impossible speed, Josephine appeared right in front of Adris. She snatched him from the maid's arms and saw the fresh red handprint on his delicate cheek.
Her fury was instantaneous. Josephine's hand struck Remy with a powerful slap that sent her crashing to the ground.
"HEY!!" Clara shouted.
"Who the hell are you?!" Remy hissed from the floor.
"She is Princess Josephine," a maid whispered fearfully, bowing her head. "King Hendrick's last born… and Princess Anesthesia's little sister."
Josephine ignored them all. She clutched Adris protectively to her chest and walked out. Tears welled in her eyes as Adris continued to cry helplessly in her arms.
She stopped outside, lifted her hand, and snapped her fingers four times toward the sky.
Above them, rainbows appeared, arching beautifully.
Adris sniffled, his cries softening as Josephine turned him around so he could see. His little eyes widened at the sight of the glowing colors, and a small giggle broke through his tears.
From the balcony, Xavi, Xoni, and Anesthesia watched silently.
"Awww," Xoni whispered, her mother beside her, touched by the scene.
Elandra, the great beast, approached Josephine. The mighty creature bent low, allowing her to climb onto its back. With Adris still held close, Josephine mounted.
Elandra spread her massive wings and soared into the sky. The wind rushed past them as Josephine tapped Adris gently.
He opened his eyes wide and gasped at the view.
Josephine smiled, wiping away the last of his tears.
Adris reached his little hands upward, giggling and trying to grab the drifting clouds. "Jojo!!" he cried happily.
His laughter rang through the sky, reaching everyone below.
"HI DADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Adris shouted loudly, waving at his father.
Xavi, still watching from below, raised his hand in reply, his gaze locking with Josephine's. She smiled at him, her eyes soft but unreadable.
"YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!" Adris clapped his hands in pure joy.
Josephine's tears returned, but this time they were mixed with a tender smile.
Elandra descended, roaring as she landed. Josephine slid down and hugged the beast tightly. Elandra licked her face affectionately before curling back into her resting place.
Back inside, Josephine prepared baby food carefully and fed Adris until he drifted into peaceful sleep. She kissed his forehead gently and whispered in her mind, If anyone ever touches my son, I will kill them and burn their body to ashes.
From his throne room, Xavi heard the thought clearly. His lips curved into a dark but proud smirk.
By nightfall, Adris lay soundly asleep on Josephine's bed. Assia sat nearby, combing through Josephine's hair.
Elsewhere, Xavi entered his study, only to find Clara sitting boldly in his chair. She was dressed in revealing lingerie, her tone thick with seduction.
"Hello, King Xavi," Clara purred. "How about you and I catch up, hm?" She stepped toward him, reaching to touch his chest.
Xavi's eyes narrowed. "Do you want to die?"
"Huh?" Clara froze.
"Do you want me to send your head to your father?" His voice was cold, sharp as steel.
The room grew heavy with his deadly aura.
"Now… GET OUT OF THIS ROOM. NOW."
Clara stammered, stepping back just as Anesthesia emerged with Xoni from their chamber.
"What's wrong, brother?" Xoni asked curiously.
"Nothing," Clara forced a smile, quickly leaving.
"Stupid bitch," Xavi spat, his voice venomous. He turned back. "Where is Josephine?"
"She's taking her bath, your Highness," Assia replied.
Xavi's eyes flicked toward his sister, who only smiled knowingly and raised her brows.
"What!?" he demanded.
"Oh nothing, brother," Xoni teased as she pulled Anesthesia back into their room and locked the door.
When Xavi entered his own chamber, he found Remy sprawled across his bed. His eyes glowed yellow with rage.
"GET OUT!" he barked.
Remy scrambled away in terror.
"Jeez," Xavi muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, in Xoni's chamber, she cleared the table and lifted Anesthesia onto it. Their lips met in a heated kiss, Anesthesia wrapping her body around her.
"Shhh, baby, don't be loud—they will hear you," Xoni whispered.
"Make me quiet then," Anesthesia teased breathlessly.
"Oh really? Then I will make you beg for more," Xoni replied, kissing her deeply as they tangled together as Xoni placed her leg and raised Anesthesia left leg her hand grab her plum breast and began rubbing her pussy on her Anesthesia eyes rolled back immediately Xoni got on her f….f….f…aster…anesthesia said as Xoni went extremely fast a..Ah…Yes..yes..right there Yes Anesthesia said
Do you like that love? Xoni said Y…yes Mommy i love it she said ~Good Girl~ Xoni said rubbing her gently making her enjoy every single moment.
By 10:20pm, Xavi could not sleep. He lay awake, staring at the ceiling before sighing and rising. His feet carried him silently to Josephine's chamber.
When he opened the door, she was by the window, sketching. She wore a black sheer mesh top with thin straps, paired with a matching thong. Her long hair flowed down freely.
Interesting… Xavi thought.
Who doesn't knock before entering? I guess because it's his castle, that's why… Josephine thought back, and he heard her. She chuckled quietly.
Xavi approached the bed and kissed Adris's cheek gently. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Nothing," Josephine said with her hands
"Come and sleep, Ms. Josephine," he said softly.
She closed her sketchbook and slipped into the bed. Xavi lay beside her, wrapping himself around Josephine with Adris safe in the middle. Josephine patted the boy's head soothingly until he was fully asleep.
From the shadows, Queen Olydia appeared and watched. A smile spread across her lips. My son has found his peace, she whispered, and disappeared.
Far away in King Hendrick's castle, Ceillie sat inside her little home while Tess, Piere, and Callum baked together.
"Jojo! Come and eat now, food is ready!" Ceillie called cheerfully.
"Nana, Josephine is still in King Xavi's kingdom, remember?" Piere reminded her.
Ceillie froze. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Oh… yeah."
They embraced her tightly, and she kissed their foreheads.
Piere stepped outside for air and suddenly bumped into a tall man.
"My sincere apologies, your Highness," Piere said quickly.
"It's fine," the man replied kindly. He was strikingly handsome, with pure white hair and a perfectly trimmed balbo beard.
"Piere!!" Tess called.
"Excuse me," Piere muttered, hurrying back into the house.
What a cute elf, the mysterious man thought to himself. He walked toward Hendrick's castle.
"Hendrick, my old friend," the man greeted warmly.
"Well, look who we have here," Hendrick said with a smile.
The two embraced.
"The King of The Obsidian Wing " Hendrick acknowledged.
"King Raden," he introduced with pride.
They shook hands firmly.
"Still not married?" Hendrick teased.
"Yeahhh," Raden laughed. "But I just saw a very cute elf. They called him Piere. Does he live here as a servant?"
"Not a servant," Hendrick said firmly. "My last born, Josephine, brought them here. They are very dear to her."
"Last born? You mean the child you hid away from Sophina?" Raden pressed.
"Yeah," Hendrick admitted with a sigh.
As they sat together, Hendrick explained everything—the marks, the coronation day, and Xavi's shocking proposal.
"You mean the most ruthless, heartless man asked for your daughter's hand in marriage—and she agreed?" Raden said, stunned.
Hendrick nodded.
"Wow! She's still in his castle?" Raden asked.
"Yeah," Hendrick confirmed.
The two kings sat deep in conversation long into the night.