Three months passed, and June arrived.
Noah and Tess were married after Sophina finally accepted her, and Kara and Oliver also reunited in marriage. At the same time, Piere and King Raden secretly met each other every night, while Callum and Nyx began dating in secret, hiding their relationship from the academy. Callum had only one year left there.
Ceillie often sat in front of the house, beside the castle, watching her children and grandchildren grow. Josephine herself had grown too. Though she remained shy, Kara trained her constantly, helping her mature into her own strength. Men frequently came to Hendrick to ask for Josephine's hand in marriage, but he refused every one of them, always saying, "She is already betrothed to King Xavi Roman."
But there was another man—Prince Leopold, a half-demon, half-dark wizard from the Infernal Maw Clan. Unlike the others, he was determined to have Josephine, even if it meant taking her by force.
Josephine's birthday was only four days away.
King Xavi, in his castle, packed a small bag. He intended to spend time in King Hendrick's castle.
"Jojo, your husband is on his way with your son," Tess teased Josephine as she cooked in the kitchen.
Josephine blushed, her body now matured into an hourglass shape her boobs became huge and she had a round ass.
Everyone waited for King Xavi's arrival. At last, the trumpets sounded, and the royal carriages stopped.
The first to leap out was Adris.
"JOJO!!!" he cried, running toward the stairs, too small to climb them himself.
"Dada, help!" he shouted again.
Xavi descended next, accompanied by his loyal butler, Caius. He lifted Adris into his arms and walked upstairs with the boy as the family bowed in respect. He bowed to Ceillie as well, honoring her.
Anesthesia hugged everyone tightly. "I missed you all sooo much!"
"We missed you too, Annie!" they said warmly.
Theron and Therodora had risen to become three of the best students in school, and Josephine herself ranked as the second-best.
Xavi scanned the crowd, frowning. "I didn't see her. Where is Josephine?"
"She's by the waterfalls," Oliver said.
"Did she take her medicine?" Xavi asked.
"Yeah, she's been taking them," Ceillie confirmed.
Inside, Xavi sat briefly, closing his eyes. His vision stretched across distance until he saw her—swimming happily under the cascade of water.
I need to see her, he thought.
"Excuse me," he said aloud, then vanished in a blur, heading straight to the waterfalls.
When he arrived, Assia and Lyra greeted him.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Leave us," Xavi commanded. They bowed and moved aside.
"Ms. Josephine," he said softly.
She turned around in the water, her eyes sparkling when she saw him.
Xavi!! she said in her mind, waving happily.
She wanted to run into his arms but quickly sank into the water, realizing she was unclothed. Xavi removed his own garments and stepped into the pool with her. She pointed toward the hidden caves behind the falls, and he followed, pulling her there.
Inside the misty cave, water glittered against the stone walls.
"It looks beautiful," he murmured.
She nodded, smiling shyly.
Xavi wrapped his arms around her body. "I missed you so much."
I missed you very, very much, Josephine replied in her thoughts.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss beneath the spray of the falls they tongues twisted together their hands holding each other. His mouth traveled down to her neck, and he whispered, "I have so much to show you, Beautiful." He played with her wet hair, eyes glowing with desire.
"Come on," he added. "Adris keeps looking for you everywhere."
Lifting her into his arms, he summoned their clothes with his powers. Respectfully, he turned his face away as she dressed. Only when she was ready did he look back at her, then kissed her again while carrying her out.
"Will you give me your permission on our wedding night?" he asked.
Josephine blushed furiously but nodded shyly.
"It's going to be so much fun," Xavi thought darkly to himself.
They returned to the castle.
"JOJO!!" Adris cried, running into her arms.
Josephine embraced him tightly. My baby is now a big boy! she thought, kissing his face. Xavi, hearing her mind, smiled.
Later, Hendrick told Xavi about Prince Leopold.
"He is half-demon, half-dark wizard of the Infernal Maw Clan. He keeps trying to claim Josephine's hand and won't stop. He even sends her flowers—she burns them to ashes and sends them back. He says if she doesn't marry him, he will bring war to our kingdoms."
"That fucking dumb…" Xavi muttered furiously. Caius stood behind him, Xoni beside her brother.
Suddenly, a letter flew into Xavi's hand. He opened it and read aloud:
Dear King Hendrick,
I hope this finds you well. I will not cause war between us. All I ask for is your daughter's hand. Reject King Xavi's proposal and accept mine. I will see you during her birthday.
— Prince Leopold
Xavi threw his head back and laughed like a madman.
"Brother, stop!" Xoni urged.
Stop, Xavi, Josephine said in her mind. She stood nearby, holding Adris.
He stopped and turned, staring at her. Then he smirked darkly. "Let him come," he said with a dangerous gleam in his eye.
That evening, Ceillie sat rocking on her chair when Xavi knelt on the floor beside her.
"Hey, Nana. How are you? It's been a while since I saw you," he said gently.
Ceillie patted his head, smiling weakly. "I'm fine, child. Just a little sick. I didn't want to tell the kids and make them worry. They have their own lives now."
"No," Xavi shook his head. "Your kids love you deeply. Don't hide your sickness from them. They are always grateful to you, Nana."
Josephine, Tess, Piere, and Callum overheard the words.
"Hey, kids," Ceillie coughed.
Tess threw her arms around her. "Nana, why didn't you tell us you were sick?"
Piere knelt, holding her legs. Callum hugged her tightly. Josephine lay her head on Ceillie's lap.
"Don't ever hide anything from us again. We'll go mad if anything happens to you," they all said together.
Except Josephine, who thought in silence:
If anything happens to my Nana, I'll lose my senses. Nana is the only one I have. She loves me more than anyone else.
Xavi heard her thought and his face turned solemn.
Two days later, it was the eve of Josephine's birthday. The royal healer treated Ceillie, while the children cleaned the house and cooked for her. Even Noah and his siblings helped.
To their shock, King Xavi also lent a hand.
"He's a good man," Josephine whispered in her thoughts.
Xavi caught it, winking at her. She blushed.
Outside, Kara noticed the signs of the Purple Moon. Rain began to fall, but instead of silver or gold, it was black. Everyone stepped out to watch the phenomenon.
Xoni held Adris close while Josephine stood in the rain, her arms open.
A sudden lightning strike cracked the skies, and from above descended a mask, glowing with power.
"That's the Dread Mask!" Kara shouted. "Take it!"
Josephine's ring glowed. She reached out and grasped the mask. Instantly, a crown descended from the heavens—the Crown of Zephyria.
"The Crown of Zephyria!!" Kara cried as the crown settled upon Josephine's head.
Her eyes burned with light as her Guardians appeared in full power.
"All hail the Queen of Zephyria—Queen Josephine!" they thundered.
The entire crowd, even King Xavi, fell to their knees.
"All hail Queen Josephine!" everyone echoed.
The glow faded, her hair turning silver and her eyes shifting to a deep cinnamon. She was breathtaking, more radiant than ever before.
Josephine donned the mask, and her outfit transformed into a battle suit: four blades strapped across her body—two at her waist, two across her back—her form armored and ready for war. Her eyes glowed red as she turned the mask backward.
"What's the mask about?" Oliver asked.
"It's a mask that strengthens her abilities and heightens her power. She'll be more mischievous, a little rebellious—but still kindhearted," Kara explained. "Jojo will be a quiet, yet gentle rebel."
Josephine removed the mask, and it disappeared into her ring. She walked back calmly and rested her head on Ceillie's lap.
It was 10:50 p.m. when everyone finally went to sleep.
Xavi carried Josephine to her room, where Adris had already drifted off. He laid her gently in bed, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "You've won King Xavi's heart, Josephine." Sitting in the rocking chair, he watched over her until sleep claimed him too.
At 11:59 p.m., he stirred and rubbed her cheek.
"Josephine? Josephine…"
Her eyes fluttered open. She signed: What's wrong?
"Happy Birthday, my Queen," Xavi whispered.
She glanced at the clock—it was midnight. Smiling, she leaned forward and kissed him deeply. Then she signed: Thank you.
She pulled him close, and he wrapped himself around her. Together, they drifted into peaceful slumber.