By 3:45 PM, the castle was filled with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and music.
Queen Olydia had organized a birthday party for Adris — a celebration filled with joy and pain all at once, for it was the first birthday without Queen Josephine's presence.
Xavi stood in his chamber dressing the twins. He gently slid Orion into a soft sea-green jumpsuit, the fabric trimmed with gold thread. Then he lifted Ophelia, dressing her in the same color — her gown tiny and sparkling like morning dew.
He kissed Ophelia's cheeks, and she smiled widely, cooing. Orion was quietly sucking on his pacifier. Xavi washed Ophelia's pacifier carefully, placed it in her mouth, and then carried both twins in his arms.
He himself wore something simple — a green shirt and white pants. His long hair was tied neatly at the back.
As he walked down the grand staircase, Orion lay on his shoulder, half-asleep, while Ophelia reached up and tapped her father's nose repeatedly.
"Stop it, love… now stay still," he said, smiling faintly.
Ophelia giggled again — but then her attention shifted. She saw Adris, floating gracefully in the air, dressed in a stunning emerald-green suit. Her eyes sparkled with recognition and excitement.
She wriggled in Xavi's arms, trying to go to him.
Adris laughed softly and floated over, holding out his arms. "Come here, my little sunshine," he said.
Xavi chuckled as Ophelia leaned forward eagerly. Adris took her, holding her securely against his chest. She stared at him in wonder, then covered his face with a rain of kisses.
Adris laughed out loud, and Ophelia's giggles echoed through the hall. Xavi smiled — his children were his only light left in this dark season.
Then, the Royal Painter arrived, carrying a massive portrait covered with silk. Xavi turned and paid him eight billion golden coins without hesitation. The hall gasped. The amount could fund an entire kingdom — yet Xavi only nodded coldly.
Now, only his children were allowed into his room. No one else. Not even his closest council.
Xavi held Orion in his arm while clutching Josephine's framed picture close to his chest.
Soon, Tess, Piere, and Callum arrived together. They hugged Adris, wished him "Happy Birthday", and Tess leaned down to kiss Ophelia's cheeks.
"She has Jojo's eyes…" Piere murmured softly.
They followed Xavi, who was still holding Josephine's portrait. His tears began to fall upon it, landing on her smiling image — her face caught mid-laughter, playing with Adris in the past.
"Today is your son's birthday, darling," Xavi whispered, voice trembling. "His first birthday without you."
He wiped his tears and walked toward the garden, where Josephine's body rested under the enchanted canopy. The family followed behind him quietly.
Josephine lay peacefully on the crystal bed, her body dressed in a soft green gown with long sleeves, her hair braided neatly and shining like sunlight through leaves.
"My beautiful darling wife…" Xavi said, kneeling beside her. He took her hand and kissed it gently.
"You know what happened today? The twins said their first words." He smiled faintly, though his eyes were full of tears. "Wanna know what they said?"
He looked at her with a small, almost broken laugh.
"It was 'Mama'. They pointed at your picture in the hall — they were giggling so loud. Adris was sad, though… it's his first birthday without you. My love, please… just open your eyes. For me. For our kids. Please, Josephine…"
He broke down, crying heavily, his voice trembling into the air.
Kael turned away, covering his eyes.
"Xavi…" Callum called softly.
Xavi raised his head, his eyes red, and saw them standing there. "You came to see her too?" he asked, his tone weak.
Tess sat by Josephine's side, touching her soft hair, and kissed her cheek gently. "We want to come every weekend to see her," Tess said.
"She's your family — you're always welcome," Xavi said, nodding.
They all sat together beside her, the garden silent except for the soft hum of the protective spell surrounding the Queen.
THE NIGHT MEETING
By 10:30 PM, the party was over.
Adris and the twins had fallen asleep in Xavi's room. He tucked them under their soft blankets and kissed their foreheads before stepping out quietly.
In the corridor, Xoni was waiting, holding her little son, Vexar.
"Hey," Xavi said softly.
"Come, let's talk," she said, taking his hand.
They walked together to the grand hall and sat.
"Xavi," she began carefully, "Aunt is coming tomorrow."
Xavi frowned slightly. "Which one?"
"Your father's sister. Duchess Ardere," Xoni said. "She's insisting you need a new Queen — a woman by your side. We told her you already have children, but you know how she is. She's bringing women from other kingdoms, and…"
She paused, lowering her voice. "She might even try to kill Josephine to replace her."
Xavi's jaw clenched. His voice turned cold. "Nobody will touch my children… and nobody will touch my wife."
"Then become what you were before Josephine," Xoni said quietly, staring at him. "Make them pay, brother. For Josephine."
Xavi turned toward Josephine's portrait on the wall, his expression shifting from grief to fury.
"For Mrs. Josephine Xavi Roman," he said slowly.
His eyes glowed a deep, burning dark red, and Xoni's eyes glowed golden yellow in answer.
THE MORNING OF STORMS
The next morning, the castle was spotless — but the air was tense.
Xavi made new arrangements for Josephine's protection. Her crystal bed was now surrounded by indestructible glass, sealed by a layer of ancient protection spells cast by Anesthesia herself.
Xavi stood nearby, the twins in his arms.
"Mama!" Orion said suddenly, clapping.
Ophelia giggled, biting her father's cheek playfully.
Xavi chuckled faintly and played with both of them as Adris had gone to school. For a moment, life felt normal again.
THE GUARDIAN'S MEETING
Meanwhile, in another corridor, Celine accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh! I'm so sorry — I didn't see you there," she said quickly.
The woman turned. It was Seliora, one of the Guardians — tall, breathtakingly beautiful, her aura glowing with quiet strength.
Celine froze for a second, stunned.
"I-It's fine," Celine stammered as her gaze fell on Seliora huge soft boobs.
Seliora leaned closer, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Like what you see?" she said, bending slightly toward her.
Celine's face flushed. "Maybe…" she whispered, stepping closer too.
Seliora smirked. "See you around, sweetie."
Celine smiled shyly and walked away, her heart fluttering.
THE ARRIVAL OF THE DUCHESS
Around noon, six carriages rolled into the courtyard of Xavi's castle.
From them descended six women and four men — attendants and nobles.
Xavi sat on his throne, calm and composed, feeding baby Ophelia her milk while his eyes remained half-closed.
Orion was sleeping in Seika's arms. She was now married to Warrick and expecting their child. She gently placed Orion into a mini crib beside Xavi's throne.
"It's good to see you again, King Xavi," a woman's voice called.
Xavi looked up slowly. It was Duchess Ardere — his father's sister, half-werewolf and half-vampire, a dangerous woman who also knew ancient spellcraft.
"Hello, Aunt," Xavi said flatly, setting down the baby bottle and wiping Ophelia's mouth.
The little girl kicked her legs and waved her arms, cooing happily.
Xavi smiled faintly. "Looks like we're full," he said, checking her diaper. She giggled as he stood and handed her to the maids.
They bowed. "Yes, Your Highness," they said, changing her gently before putting her to sleep in her crib.
"What brings you back, Aunt?" Xavi asked, sitting back on his throne.
"Oh, nothing," Ardere said with a smirk. "Just wanted to be home again."
Xavi chuckled under his breath.
Suddenly, Orion began to cry loudly.
"Caius, bring him," Xavi said calmly.
Caius picked up the crying baby and handed him to Xavi.
Xavi snapped his fingers near Orion's left ear. No reaction.
He frowned. "Sienna!" he called.
Sienna rushed out from the corridor. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Orion isn't hearing my fingers snapping in his left ear," Xavi said, worry creeping into his voice.
Sienna gently took the baby. "I'll bring him back, don't worry."
Caius placed a pacifier in Orion's mouth as Xavi exhaled slowly, watching.
Ardere tilted her head. "Whose baby is that?"
"My baby," Xavi said, sitting back with cold pride.
"And that other one?" another woman asked.
"Also mine. They're twins," Xavi said, rubbing his forehead.
"Well," Ardere said, glancing at the others, "where is your wife, then?"
Xavi's tone turned razor-sharp. "None of your business."
She smiled thinly. "I brought women from noble houses — for you to choose from. One of them will become your new wife."
Xavi stared at her — and then began to laugh. A deep, dark, dangerous laugh.
Even baby Ophelia giggled in her sleep as if echoing his mood.
"Did you hear that, sweetie?" Xavi said, chuckling to his daughter. "She wants to replace your mama."
Sienna returned, carrying Orion.
"Well?" Xavi asked.
Sienna nodded gently. "He's deaf in his left ear, Your Majesty. I've given him a hearing aid. I believe it's inherited from Jojo's side."
"It's fine," Xavi said softly, snapping his fingers again near Orion's ear. This time, the baby giggled and reached for his hand.
Moments later, Adris returned from school, yawning and holding a dark magic spellbook.
"Hi, Papa," he said sleepily.
He walked past the guests without acknowledging them.
The women — five of them — stood in a line:
Princess Jovie, half-witch half-giant of Thalvyr;
Princess Kaelira, half-dragon half-elf from Cindervale;
Princess Veirra, a full vampire from Obsidoria;
Duchess of Obscyra, a witch demon;
and Princess Agana, half-kitsune of Velmourn.
Behind them stood four male guards.
Xavi looked at them all with an unreadable expression.
"I am not replacing my children's mother," he said coldly.
Adris, already half-asleep, floated upward unconsciously. Xavi waved his hand, casting a gentle spell — sending Adris to his room.
He turned toward the twins' cribs, whispered a sleeping spell, and watched them fall into peaceful dreams.
The King now both light and dark, sat back on his throne — his power humming around him.
He had begun mastering both light and dark magic — not for war, but for love. For Josephine.