The afternoon sun glimmered faintly across the marble halls as Josephine stepped out of her classroom. Her soft boots made no sound against the polished floor as she walked through the academy's long corridor toward the children's wing. When she reached Adris's class, she found him seated with a crayon in hand, coloring with intense focus. His tiny tongue peeked out in concentration, and his small fingers were already smudged with shades of red and blue.
The teacher looked up at Josephine's gentle figure and smiled warmly, pointing toward her.
"Adris, look—your mother's here."
Adris immediately looked up, his golden-green eyes sparkling as his face lit up.
"Mama!" he squealed, jumping from his seat and running to her arms. Josephine smiled and lifted him, kissing his forehead softly.
Their royal carriage arrived shortly after, gliding through the school gates with silver wheels and the Noctyra crest on its side. Standing beside it were Theron and Therodora, who bowed respectfully.
"Goodbye!" Anesthesia called, waving kindly.
Inside the carriage, Anesthesia was already seated, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Hey, Jojo!" she said cheerfully, waving at her siblings before the door shut. The royal guards mounted their horses, and the carriage began to roll toward the Kingdom of Noctyra's Grand Fun Fair—a yearly festival filled with laughter, color, and magic.
Xavi, unlike his usual intimidating self, had dressed simply in a dark shirt, a hooded cloak, and a plain mask that covered half his face. Josephine and Adris both wore light disguises as well, blending perfectly with the crowd.
The fair was bursting with life. Firebenders lit the sky with red and gold flares while musicians played near the fountains. Children laughed, and merchants shouted joyfully as they sold enchanted trinkets.
"Cotton candy!" Adris gasped, tugging Josephine's hand. She chuckled softly and ran with him toward the stand, her golden hair flowing freely in the wind.
"Be careful!" Anesthesia called after them, walking hand-in-hand with Xoni, who was already carrying a large stuffed toy she had won earlier.
Meanwhile, Xavi sat with his gang at a corner table near the fire pits, his sharp eyes occasionally drifting toward Josephine and Adris in the distance.
"How much did he pay?" Xavi asked flatly, swirling his drink.
"About eighty million golden coins," Rhory replied.
"Good," Xavi said, his tone low and commanding. "You all share it?"
"Yes, we did," Neera answered quickly. The others nodded in agreement.
"Fine," Xavi muttered, leaning back in his seat. His gaze softened as he looked toward Josephine and Adris again. They were laughing, eyes glowing under the fireworks that danced above them.
"WOW!" Adris said, clutching Josephine's face against his. Their cheeks touched as they looked up at the glowing sky. Xoni secretly lifted her orb camera and captured the moment. The orb shimmered, printing the image into a crystal frame for her brother—a memory frozen forever.
But the joy didn't last long.
Josephine, while walking back toward the others, suddenly froze. Her hand went to her chest—her heart felt like it was tearing apart. Her vision blurred, and the world spun around her.
Then she collapsed.
"PAPA!!!" Adris screamed, running toward her small, still body on the ground. The floor was stained with her blood.
"Josephine!? Josephine!!" Xavi's voice thundered through the fair as he rushed forward, lifting her trembling body in his arms. Panic spread through the crowd. Without hesitation, he teleported her back to the castle—straight into the Royal Healer's Chamber.
Outside the chamber, silence and dread filled the hallway. Adris clung to Anesthesia, crying softly.
Inside, Xavi couldn't stay still. His fists shook. He turned and stormed into his private training room. Then everything broke—the walls, the mirrors, the weapons rack—as he unleashed his rage and grief.
"Xavi!?" Xoni's voice echoed as she ran in. She saw her brother standing in the wreckage, his eyes blazing red with tears.
"Calm down—for Josephine," she whispered, stepping closer.
"I'm trying!" he growled, his voice shaking. "But I can't bear to see her like this anymore. She's… tired of the pain, Xoni. And I can feel it."
Xoni said nothing—she simply wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as his chest heaved.
In the healer's chamber, Josephine's eyes fluttered open. Her gaze was distant, fixed on the window as glowing orbs connected into her veins like streams of light.
"Jojo?" Xoni said softly as they entered the room.
Josephine didn't turn. Instead, she raised her hand, and lightning cracked through the ceiling. The window burst open, and a glowing cloud descended to lift her gently.
"JOJO!" Anesthesia cried, running forward.
Josephine stood on the cloud, barefoot and glowing under the night sky. In her hands appeared The Silent Night, her enchanted harp. She began to play—a haunting, powerful melody that echoed pain and beauty across the kingdom.
"Josephine, get down!" Xavi shouted, flying up to her with his magic.
She looked at him with soft eyes and gestured with her hand, signing: Come here.
He landed beside her on the cloud, and she sat, leaning against him as her song faded.
"Let's give them space," Xoni whispered, closing the door behind them. Anesthesia stayed back with the healers, still worried sick.
Xavi looked down at Josephine, who lay with her head on his lap.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" he asked, voice trembling.
Her lips didn't move, but her thoughts echoed in his mind.
I'm scared… Will I die, Xavi?
He placed a hand on her cheek. "No, baby. You won't die. We'll find a cure, okay? You're strong, my Queen."
He leaned back on the soft clouds, holding her close as the stars glimmered around them. Below, in Adris's room, the little boy yawned in Queen Olyida's arms.
"Nighty-night, Mama and Papa…" he whispered before drifting to sleep.
March 28th came—the day of Xavi's birthday.
That morning, Josephine woke early and tiptoed into his room. He was half asleep, lying shirtless under the sheets. She brushed her fingers against his cheek softly.
"Yes, my Queen?" he said groggily, eyes still closed.
She smiled and revealed a large, beautifully decorated cake. His expression softened immediately.
Lighting the candles, he closed his eyes and whispered his wish:
I wish Josephine's health gets better—and that she'll stay as my wife and Adris's mother forever.
He blew out the candles, then cut the cake. Josephine's eyes sparkled with happiness. He leaned over and kissed her deeply.
"So… what's my gift?" he teased.
Josephine smiled shyly and handed him a folded paper. On it, in her graceful handwriting, were the words:
'Nightfall — I am all yours to handle, my King.'
Xavi smirked, sliding an arm around her waist. "Then I can't wait for tonight," he whispered against her lips.
The door burst open.
"Happy Birthday, Ruthless King!" the gang shouted, laughing.
Xavi groaned, rolling his eyes.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA!" Adris yelled, running in with a big smile.
"Thank you, my boy," Xavi said, lifting him high into the air.
In another wing, Xoni and Anesthesia shared a kiss.
"Happy Birthday, my lovely wife," Anesthesia whispered.
"Thank you, my sweet baby," Xoni replied softly.
Later that evening, Josephine surprised everyone with a grand celebration for both Xavi and Xoni. She had secretly spent weeks planning it, ensuring every detail was perfect for her King.
As the music played and the chandeliers glowed, Xavi entered the ballroom holding Josephine's hand. She wore a silver gown that shimmered like starlight.
King Hendrick and the entire royal family were present, clapping as the twins danced gracefully in the center.
Then—
A powerful, elegant voice echoed through the hall.
"Happy Birthday, my twins."
Everyone turned.
It was Xavi's grandmother, standing proudly at the entrance with the rest of the royal bloodline behind her.
The music stilled.
Josephine's heart pounded.
And Xavi's eyes slowly widened—knowing the night had only just begun.