The morning light poured softly through the golden curtains of the royal chamber. The day was Thursday—quiet, still, and deceptive. The scent of lilies from the courtyard filled the air as King Xavi slowly opened his eyes.
He yawned, stretching, his voice low and tired. "Jo…"
But the bed beside him was empty. The silk sheets were cool—Josephine had already left. He smiled faintly, a soft warmth filling his chest as flashbacks rushed through his mind—her laughter from the night before, her smile when she looked at him, the feel of her hand in his.
He chuckled quietly. She always wakes up before me.
Xavi rose, brushing his hand through his hair. The marble floors were cold under his feet. He took a long bath, water cascading down his shoulders as he stared at his reflection—his mind already drifting toward the duties of the day, unaware of the darkness waiting beyond the walls.
Breakfast Hall
The family dining room buzzed with light chatter. Adris sat at the table, his little hands gripping a pencil, his brows furrowed with deep concentration. He was drawing, his paper spread across the table beside his plate.
Beside him, Xoni leaned in curiously. "What are you drawing, boy?" she asked with a grin.
Adris didn't look up. "Mama," he said softly, tongue sticking out slightly in focus.
Josephine smiled faintly as she sat beside him. Her golden hair fell loosely across her shoulders. She took a spoon and gently fed him butter chicken and white rice, adding slices of warm cheese bread to his plate.
Adris ate happily, humming a soft tune. When he was done, he laid down on her lap, sighing with pure contentment. Josephine stroked his hair, her expression calm and loving.
The castle seemed peaceful. Too peaceful.
Preparations for "Lunch"
By noon, the halls of Xavi's fortress stirred with activity. Servants moved quickly, whispering of an important "lunch meeting."
But this wasn't lunch.
It was war.
The Blood Reign Gang—Xavi's loyal warriors—were stationed in every corridor. Under the tables, behind walls, within shadows, weapons were hidden: blades, rifles, smoke bombs.
Every knight in the castle was alert.
At exactly 1:50 p.m., heavy footsteps echoed from beyond the gates.
King Venery of the Voidflame Pact had arrived—dressed in fine black armor trimmed with silver and a crimson cape, his every step measured and smug. His clan followed closely behind—armed men, silent women, all cloaked in deceit.
Inside the hall, Xavi sat upon his throne, calm and unreadable. His aura was different today—stronger, heavier, commanding.
"King Xavi!" Venery called as he approached.
Xavi's gaze lifted slowly. "Yeah?" His voice carried power—deep and resolute, the tone of a king who ruled by might, not mercy.
Josephine and Adris were in the eastern hall—Adris asleep once again in her lap, his small chest rising and falling peacefully.
The First Shot
Then it began.
Venery's men drew their weapons—guns gleaming beneath their cloaks, swords whispering from their sheaths.
Xavi rose slowly from his throne, a faint smirk on his lips.
A woman among Venery's guard sneered. "What's funny, King?"
She fired.
The bullet sliced through the air with a crack. Xavi tilted his head slightly, the shot missing him by an inch.
The sound echoed through the castle.
Adris jolted awake. "PAPA!"
He jumped down and ran toward the hall. "Papa!"
"ADRIS, GET OUT!" Xavi roared.
But it was too late.
Venery turned and fired again. The shot struck the boy's arm.
"JOJO!" Adris cried out, falling to the ground as blood spilled across the marble floor.
Josephine froze. Her eyes widened, her heart shattering in an instant.
"ADRIS!!! NO!!!"
She crawled toward him, her breath shaking.
"My child!" Xavi's voice thundered as he lunged forward.
Xoni drew her blade, slashing through the woman who fired, cutting her down in one swift move.
Xavi's speed blurred as he kicked Venery across the hall, his power radiating in a wave of energy that cracked the pillars.
Josephine clutched Adris to her chest. Blood stained her hands. Tears fell freely down her cheeks, her cries echoing like a storm through the room.
Then—her tears stopped.
Her body began to glow.
The Silent Queen Awakened
The ground trembled. Darkness swirled around her feet, then rose like smoke. Her eyes turned pitch-black, glowing from within.
The Aetherstarved Claws erupted from her hands—curved talons of shadow and light.
"Josephine…" Xavi said softly, stepping back.
She floated upward, her hair lifting as power rippled around her. Every soldier froze in awe and fear.
She raised her hand—then struck.
The claws slashed across Venery's face, drawing a scream of pain. He stumbled back, his guards rushing forward—only to fall one by one as her wrath consumed them.
The air was thick with energy, each pulse of her power leaving scorch marks on the marble.
Xoni and Xavi rushed Adris out of the hall, carrying the boy toward the royal infirmary.
But Josephine… she wasn't done.
She grabbed Venery by the neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.
"JOJO! STOP!" Anesthesia screamed, running into the hall. "LET HIM GO!"
The Throne of Kara
Far away, in another tower of the castle, Queen Kara sat on her throne, watching the chaos unfold through the enchanted mirror before her.
Oliver, her husband, slept peacefully nearby. Kara sighed, rising from her seat. She walked up the stairs, her movements graceful, her aura calm.
She sat beside him, brushing his hair gently, whispering softly to herself.
"Josephine… that's enough. Let him go. Adris needs his mother now."
The Return to Sanity
Josephine's hand trembled. Her breath came in shudders. Venery's terrified face stared up at her—his eyes wide, his throat crushed beneath her grip.
Her black eyes flickered—once, twice—then turned human again.
She dropped him.
Venery fell, gasping for air, his guards scrambling to pull the bodies away. He was shaken, pale, his confidence shattered.
The room was silent except for the crackle of magic fading from Josephine's claws.
Then, without another word, she vanished—her body flickering into smoke as she sped to the hospital.
The Hospital
The halls were cold, quiet, filled with the scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of magic lights.
Xavi stood near the window when Josephine arrived, her claws still visible, stained in blood. Drops fell to the floor as she walked toward the bed.
Adris lay there—small, pale, fragile. His arm was bandaged; his breathing shallow.
Josephine slowly removed the claws, letting them dissolve into air. She touched his cheek, her tears falling silently.
My baby… she whispered in her mind.
Xavi came to her side and took her hand. His voice was low, steady. "He's strong. He'll be fine."
He pulled her gently against him.
After an hour, the doctor entered, sweat on his forehead. "We took the bullet out, Your Majesty. But… his arm is broken. It'll take time to heal."
Josephine didn't respond. She simply walked past him, opened the door, and locked it from inside.
"Hey! You can't go in there!" a nurse shouted.
"Let her be," Xavi said quietly from the hallway. "She's a mother."
The staff bowed and stepped back.
The Mother's Touch
Inside the room, Josephine sat beside Adris's bed. She ran her fingers gently through his hair, her touch trembling. Then she leaned down and kissed his forehead softly.
"M…a…mama…" Adris whispered weakly, his eyes half open.
Josephine's tears returned instantly. She pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly.
He giggled faintly. "Mama…"
At the door, Xavi lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. The lock clicked open.
He entered, walking quietly to them. He hugged them both, resting his chin on Josephine's head.
"My arm hurts," Adris said with a tiny laugh.
Josephine smiled through her tears, lifting him gently into her arms.
"He's my baby too," Xavi said softly.
Together, they stood by the window. Outside, the world was calm—the sun setting over the horizon, the sky glowing red like fire and gold.
Xavi's strong arms wrapped around them both, holding tight, as the Silent Queen whispered to her son:
"You're safe now, my heart… Mama's here Josephine said in her thoughts.