The next morning, Xavi woke up early.
His sheets were cold and lonely.
He turned over, expecting to feel Josephine's warmth beside him — but the bed was empty.
He sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling. The silence of the room pressed heavily on him. Slowly, he rose and changed his clothes. As he did, something soft fell from the wardrobe — Josephine's blanket.
He froze.
Picking it up gently, he pressed it to his face, breathing in the faint scent of her. Memories flooded his mind — her laughter, her gentle hums, her touch.
"Adris needs this," he murmured to himself, clutching the blanket.
He made his way to Adris's room, but the bed was empty.
"Adris?" Xavi called softly.
No answer.
He glanced toward the window — and there, through the open curtains, he saw his son sleeping beside Josephine's body in the garden.
Xavi's chest tightened. He walked closer to the window and whispered,
"I swear, I will get you back, my love. No woman will ever take your place in my heart."
He turned away, forcing the lump in his throat down, and walked toward the twins' room.
Inside, baby Orion was already awake, his little arms stretching in the air. Xavi lifted him into his arms carefully. Ophelia was still sleeping peacefully, her tiny hand curled into a fist. He picked her up too, one in each arm, and went downstairs.
His face was blank — no smile, no warmth — only a quiet, cold grief.
He placed the twins in their stroller, made their baby milk, and began feeding Orion first. The boy drank his warm breakfast greedily, tiny fingers curling around Xavi's hand.
As he watched his son, his eyes drifted toward the wall — where their wedding picture hung.
He remembered everything —
Their first dance.
Her silent giggles.
Her smile.
Her cooking.
Their kisses.
Every moment they had shared together broke him all over again.
He sighed.
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" Caius asked gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Xavi didn't look at him. "No, I'm not, Caius. I miss my darling wife. By now, she would've been cooking breakfast… or still in bed beside me."
"I know you love and miss her very much," Caius said softly. "But look at your children. They need their father now. If you become weak, Your Majesty, who will protect and guide them — all three of them?"
Xavi looked at the twins, their small faces reminding him of Josephine's words:
"Take care of them… please."
He inhaled deeply. "Thank you, Caius. You're wise."
Caius smiled faintly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
THE BREAKFAST TABLE
By sunrise, everyone gathered for breakfast.
Queen Kendra held baby Ophelia and gently fed her milk.
Sienna, using her powers, checked the twins' health. "They're very healthy and strong," she said with a smile.
Xavi only nodded quietly.
"Where is Adris?" Xoni asked, bouncing his little son Gael in his lap.
"He's sleeping beside his mother," Xavi replied in a low voice. "He slept beside her all night."
He wiped Orion's mouth after the boy finished his third bottle.
A moment later, Adris floated into the room, rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning, everyone," he yawned.
"Morning, Adris," they all replied warmly.
He floated toward his siblings and kissed their foreheads.
"Good morning, loves," he said sweetly, making both twins giggle.
He smiled softly. "Auntie Annie?"
"Yes, sweetie?" Anesthesia said, bending to his level.
"Pretty please, can I have all your spell books?" Adris asked sleepily, another yawn escaping.
She chuckled softly. "Yes, love. I'll give them to you. Come on now, eat first."
He nodded and sat beside his father, who hadn't touched his food. Adris scooped up a spoonful and held it toward Xavi.
"Open up now, Papa," he said innocently.
Xavi looked at him and chuckled faintly, opening his mouth as Adris fed him. Then, Xavi took a spoon and fed his son back.
For the first time in weeks, Xavi smiled.
THE SILENT CASTLE OF ZEPHYRIA
Later, Xavi traveled to Zephyria with the twins.
Assia was there waiting. She gently took Ophelia in her arms and smiled sadly.
"She looks exactly like Jojo…" Assia whispered.
Xavi said nothing, only sitting down and staring at Josephine's throne — still glowing softly with the remnants of her magic.
The maids bowed their heads in sorrow. The castle was immaculate — spotless — yet hollow without its Queen.
News of Josephine's coma had spread across all kingdoms.
Oliver sat in his study, tears running down his cheeks. "Jojo…" he cried, remembering their childhood and every moment they had shared.
Noah was quiet, deeply sad, while Tess was completely broken. She packed a box of food with trembling hands.
"Noah… can you please help me call the messenger hawk? I need to send Jojo these…" Tess said, forcing a small, broken smile.
"Teresa…" Noah said, voice cracking as he wiped his tears. "Josephine is in a coma. She's not going to wake up now…"
Tess's eyes filled with tears. She dropped the box and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest.
Their baby, little Auriel, giggled loudly, breaking the silence. Tess kissed her tiny forehead and smiled weakly.
Nearby, Callum was staring at a family picture — Josephine, Piere, Tess, and little Nana. Nyx walked in and hugged him tightly from behind.
"My little princess…" Callum whispered, tears falling freely.
"Shhhh… my baby. It's okay," Nyx said, her voice breaking too.
THE GRIEF IN RADEN CASTLE
In Raden Castle, Piere sat by the window holding a picture of him and Josephine with their family. His tears wouldn't stop.
"My baby girl… please wake up…" he cried out.
Raden wiped his own tears and sat beside him, while their mother cradled Aureth.
"My love, she will wake up soon. I promise," Raden said, kissing Piere's cheek. "Be strong for her. She wants you to be strong — for her and for your baby too."
Piere nodded weakly and hugged him tightly.
TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER
Two and a half months passed.
Xavi sat beside Josephine in the garden, holding her hand gently. He kissed her cold fingers and her lips.
"My sweet girl… good morning. Sorry I didn't come yesterday, I was so busy," he said softly. "I know, I know you're upset. I'm sorry, my sweetheart."
He smiled faintly at her still face.
"Xavi has become insane," Kael whispered from afar.
"Yes, but he still cares for his children," Queen Oliyda replied, holding baby Ophelia as the little girl giggled loudly.
Melantha, now pregnant with Maelkor's child, smiled at the sight.
Adris's birthday was in two days. Queen Kendra had already begun organizing a small celebration.
Xavi watched as Adris sat by the window, reading spell books and muttering incantations.
"Ventus!" Adris said, and a gust of wind swirled around the room.
Orion giggled at the display, clapping his little hands.
Adris smirked proudly.
Xavi picked up Orion and kissed his cheek. "My boy… you're turning five in two days," he said.
Adris looked up sadly. "I wish Mama would wake up. She always wished me first and fed me cake on my birthdays…"
"She always does," Xavi said softly, kissing his forehead.
THE FIFTH BIRTHDAY
Two days later, near midnight, Xavi baked a cake — Josephine's special recipe.
He opened the door quietly and saw Adris awake, telling Orion and Ophelia a bedtime story.
Xavi smiled gently, his heart aching.
"The end…" Adris said, yawning.
"Adris," Xavi said, stepping in with the cake.
Adris turned, surprised.
"Happy Birthday, love," Xavi said warmly.
Adris giggled and ran to him. He blew the candles out, cut the cake, fed Xavi a piece, and took one himself.
Tears rolled down his cheeks. "It tastes like Mama's cake… every year, I miss her so much…"
"I miss her too," Xavi whispered, holding him close, his own tears falling.
THE FIRST WORDS
The next morning, the family gathered.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADRIS!" everyone cheered, hugging him tightly.
Zaria and Akira had just gotten married, and she had moved in with him — now expecting his child.
Xavi was feeding baby Ophelia when she began to mumble.
"M… M… Mama…" she said.
Everyone froze.
Adris's eyes widened. "Huh?"
Xavi blinked. "Mama?"
"Mama!" Orion said next, giggling. Both twins laughed and pointed at Josephine's portrait.
"MAMA!" they said again, their laughter echoing.
Anesthesia turned away, hiding her tears. Xoni did the same, his jaw trembling.
Adris looked at the picture and whispered, "Yeah… Mama."
He walked quietly to the garden and knelt beside his mother.
"It's my first birthday without you, Mama," he said softly, kissing her cheek. "The twins said 'Mama' as their first word. Everyone misses you so much. Please… wake up soon. I love you, Mama."
NEW BONDS
In the castle halls, Eryndor — now a full-grown man since Josephine freed her Guardians — held baby Orion in his arms, playing with him.
He accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," a soft, quiet voice said. It was Celeste.
Eryndor looked down, captivated. She was quiet, shy, with midnight-blue hair and warm vanilla skin. Her eyes were soft yet bright.
"Well… aren't you such a beauty?" he said with a grin, leaning slightly closer.
Celeste blushed.
"Do you have a man?" he asked teasingly, rocking the now-sleeping Orion gently.
She shook her head no.
"Then let me be your gentleman," he said smoothly.
"Back the fuck away from my sister," Celine's sharp voice cut in as she walked toward them, grabbing Celeste's hand. "No men."
"But he's nice! And I was only talking. I'm not a baby anymore…" Celeste protested softly. "And he's Josephine's Guardian!"
Celine eyed Eryndor carefully. "Hmm. Be careful, okay?"
Eryndor smirked. "Can I take care of your sister?"
"Prove yourself," Celine replied coldly. "Then you can." She walked away, holding Celeste's hand.
But as they left, Celeste's eyes never left his.
Eryndor's lips curved into a smirk. "I want her… and I will have her. At any cost."