The golden sun stretched lazily over Zephyria, casting a warm glow upon the kingdom that never slept. The royal family of Noctyra had returned home, but Josephine remained behind in Zephyria, watching over her kingdom and awaiting the arrival of her unborn twins.
Meanwhile, at the Noctyra castle, King Xavi had transformed their home into a paradise for the babies to come. Every room was filled with soft fabrics, magical mobiles that glowed like fireflies, and toys carved from celestial wood. Adris eagerly helped his father arrange the cribs and fold the baby clothes.
As Xavi placed tiny blankets in the cradle, memories from the past flooded him.
When Adris was still a baby, Xavi hadn't known how to be a father. He was young, haunted by Velara's memory and burdened with power and responsibility. Some nights, Adris cried endlessly, his small wails echoing through the dark halls. Exhausted and broken, Xavi had once shouted at him in frustration.
But one dreadful night, Adris fell gravely ill. His fever burned through his tiny body, his cries weakened into painful whimpers. Xavi rushed to his side, his heart crumbling at the sight. He held his son close, whispering, "Stay with me, little one…"
Adris was treated swiftly, and as his fever subsided, he fell asleep in Xavi's arms. That night changed everything. From that day, Xavi vowed to never neglect his child again.
The first word Adris ever spoke was "Dada."
From then on, he became inseparable from his father. They grew closer, bound by unspoken love and a shared strength.
Then came Josephine—and with her, everything changed again. She gave Adris her blood to save him, protected him like her own, and healed Xavi's wounded heart. Together, they became a family in the truest sense—father, mother, and son.
That afternoon, Xavi sat on his throne in Noctyra, power radiating from his very being. His eyes glowed blood-red, his aura blazing. He had become the strongest King and warrior known to history.
As he closed his eyes, he extended his supernatural vision and saw her—Josephine, in Zephyria, yawning softly as she rubbed her bump before dozing off.
In a flash of ultra speed, Xavi vanished from his throne and appeared before her bedside.
She blinked up sleepily and smiled when she saw him. He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. Without a word, he adjusted her blanket, tucked it over her body, and rubbed her bump soothingly until her breathing steadied. She reached out sleepily and held his hand.
He kissed her forehead.
Moments later, Assia, her maid, entered quietly.
"Your Majesty has guests," she said softly.
"I will attend to them. She's asleep," Xavi replied in a low tone.
Assia bowed and exited, heading home to her wife, Lyra, who was four months pregnant with a baby boy.
Xavi turned back to Josephine, brushed her hair from her face, and whispered, "Sleep well, my Queen."
He donned a black-and-red outfit, his hair tousled and wild, and covered his face with a dark mask. He descended the grand staircase, his expression unreadable, sleeves rolled up as his power filled the hall.
In the royal grand hall, four visiting royal families awaited an audience.
"Welcome," Xavi said coolly, his voice calm yet commanding. "Queen Josephine is asleep, so I will attend to you all."
They nodded in respect.
The guests included:
King Ezra of Mystrath, tall and grim half giant half elf.
Queen Eira of Sablemark, elegant and soft-spoken half siren half wolf.
Queen Valkira of Altheria, sharp-eyed and poised half witch half Vampire.
King Elion of Vhalgor A full dark elf, accompanied by his son, Prince Daelir half dark elf half vampire.
Xavi unrolled a golden scroll and began reviewing their proposals.
"Are you the Duke?" Prince Daelir asked curiously.
"No," Xavi replied, his tone calm but stern. "Queen Josephine is my wife. I am her husband."
"Seriously!?" the royals exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah," Xavi said coolly, adjusting his mask.
Queen Valkira tilted her head. "Do you have a child, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. We do. A son—and twins on the way," Xavi said proudly.
"Congratulations!" they all chorused.
"Thank you very much," he said with a polite nod.
Moments later, Assia reappeared. "Her Majesty is awake now."
All turned as Josephine entered the hall, wrapped in her soft white blanket. Her hair was loose, her bump visible beneath the fabric, and her sleepy eyes made her glow even more beautifully.
"Hey, love," Xavi said as he hugged her warmly.
Still half asleep, Josephine yawned and waved lazily, earning quiet chuckles.
"You have guests," Xavi reminded gently.
She rubbed her eyes, blinking at the royals as they bowed deeply. She bowed back in return, her quiet humility impressing them all.
"Such respect…" Queen Eira whispered.
Then Josephine turned toward Xavi, narrowing her eyes as she reached up, pulled off his mask, and pointed a warning finger at him.
Through their bond, he heard her clear, silent voice in his mind:
"Put that mask on again, and I'll give you a black eye."
Xavi immediately bent back with both hands raised. "Okay, okay! Sorry, love!" he laughed.
"KING XAVI!?" the visiting royals gasped as recognition struck.
"Hello," Xavi said casually, still smiling.
Josephine settled carefully onto her throne, holding her bump. Her eyes glowed faintly white, and the hall fell silent in awe. The meeting began.
Negotiations proceeded smoothly—discussions of trade, alliances, and supplies. A tribute of four million golden coins was presented and accepted.
When they finished, Josephine turned to Xavi, a tired yet longing look in her eyes.
"Hunger?" he asked, and she nodded shyly.
He chuckled, kissed her cheek, and vanished at lightning speed—returning minutes later with Nana's old cookbook.
In the palace kitchen, Xavi tied an apron around his waist and began baking. The scent of lemon raspberry cookies filled the halls.
Drawn by the smell, Josephine floated sleepily into the kitchen and hugged him from behind. He smiled, turned, and kissed her forehead.
When the cookies were done, he fed her one gently. She closed her eyes, savoring the familiar taste. Tears welled up—memories of Nana baking filled her heart.
"It's okay, baby," Xavi whispered, rubbing her bump tenderly.
Days later came Melantha's wedding.
Josephine wore a stunning black two-piece gown, the skirt cut elegantly to reveal her growing bump. Adris wore a miniature dark red suit, his hair combed neatly.
When the doors opened, Xavi stood tall, escorting his little sister down the aisle. Melantha glowed in her black flowing gown, the veil trailing behind like mist.
Kael secretly wiped his tears as Anesthesia held Xoni's arm. When Xavi reached the altar, he placed Melantha's hand into Maelkor's, smiling through tears.
As they said their vows, Josephine's eyes glistened. Xavi leaned his head on her shoulder, hiding his tears as she discreetly wiped them away.
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest declared.
Maelkor lifted the veil, gazed into Melantha's eyes, and kissed her softly. Applause erupted. Even Xavi, sniffling, clapped proudly.
At the reception, Melantha danced in Maelkor's arms while her brothers gathered protectively around the groom.
"Make sure she eats apples every afternoon," Darius said sternly.
"Pat her head to sleep," Kael added.
"She loves flowers," Severin said.
"And chocolate too," Xavi warned with a grin.
"Don't hurt her," they said in unison.
"I promise I won't," Maelkor vowed sincerely.
Twenty minutes later, as the newlyweds departed, Melantha waved from the carriage. Maelkor pulled her close and kissed her as the carriage rolled away under the silver night sky.
Five months later, Josephine's belly had grown large and heavy. She could no longer walk, only float gracefully through the palace halls.
Xavi and Adris were downstairs, finishing the twins' nursery. The room glowed with soft blue and pink magic lights.
Kara was three months pregnant with a baby boy, due the next day.
Nyx's twins were arriving early, and Callum had rushed her to the hospital.
Elsewhere in another kingdom, Piere was already in labor. Raden paced anxiously by the window, his heart pounding.
"Push!" the midwife urged.
"AHHHHHH!!!" Piere screamed, her voice echoing through the room. Raden clenched his fists, nearly trembling from worry. Then—a baby's cry filled the air. Relief washed over him.
"It's a baby girl, Your Highness," the midwife announced, placing the tiny child into his arms.
Raden's eyes softened. He rocked the baby gently, whispering, "Shhh… it's okay, my love."
The midwife bowed. "Your husband is resting, my lord. He's safe."
Raden smiled through tears, looking down at his daughter. Her small fingers curled around his, and his heart melted.
The kingdoms of Zephyria, Noctyra, and beyond were alive with new beginnings—birth, love, and unity. And though darkness always lurked beyond the horizon, for now, the world basked in peace beneath the glow of Josephine's light.