Three days had passed since Adris came home. The castle's morning light broke softly through the high glass windows, spilling gold across the marble floor. The sound of tiny feet echoed in the hallways before anyone else stirred.
Adris ran straight into Queen Olyida's open arms.
"Oh, my dearest," she said, her voice trembling with affection as she hugged him tightly. Kendra joined in, wrapping her arms around him, her eyes soft with worry.
"Does it still hurt, my love?" Kendra asked, brushing her fingers over his bandaged arm.
Adris nodded quietly, his little lips forming a pout.
He was soon surrounded by warmth — every aunt, uncle, and cousin gathered to see him, their voices gentle, their smiles tired but loving. After greeting everyone, Adris sat by his window, gazing at the garden where morning dew glimmered on the flowers. Josephine sat beside him with her sketchpad and pencil, her hand moving gracefully as she began to draw — the world around her fading away into strokes of graphite and shadows.
Xavi was lying on their bed, exhaustion weighing him down. His eyes fluttered shut, and slowly, he drifted into sleep.
Then came the dream.
Darkness swallowed everything. The air was thick with ash and ruin. He saw Josephine — floating in the air, her hair whipping around her like black fire. His heart stopped. Her body was soaked in blood; her once-soft eyes were red, wild, and broken. The castle behind her was gone, turned to bones and smoke. She sat upon a throne made of skulls — of enemies, and of those she once loved.
She was surrounded by an aura of dark energy that pulsed like thunder, whispering madness into the wind.
Her heart was shattered — and he knew the truth before the voice even spoke.
It was him.
"This is all YOUR FAULT!" a voice boomed through the blackness, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"No!" Xavi shouted. "No—!"
He jolted awake, breathless, drenched in sweat. His chest heaved as he sat up, the room still dark.
Then the door creaked open.
Josephine walked in, her steps soft, her eyes curious yet gentle.
"Xavi?" she whispered in her mind, walking closer.
He didn't answer. She knelt in front of him, reaching up to raise his chin, her thumb brushing away the sweat along his jaw.
"What's wrong?" she asked with hands
"Bad dreams…" he murmured, his voice rough.
Before she could respond, he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply — a desperate, trembling kiss that spoke of fear and longing. Josephine melted into his arms, her smile faint against his lips. His hands slid up her back, pulling her tighter until their hearts steadied against one another.
He kissed her neck slowly, breathing her in as though her scent could chase away the nightmare.
Morning came with birdsong.
Xavi rose early, determined to make preparations for Josephine's birthday the next day. He gave quiet orders to the guards and the cooks, ensuring everything was to be perfect — from the decorations to the cake itself.
Meanwhile, Josephine wandered into the gardens, picking fresh flowers. The sun painted her hair with gold as she walked, her basket filling with color — roses, lavender, lilies. Xavi watched her from the window, a tender smile crossing his face.
After a while, she left the castle grounds, guards trailing behind at Xavi's command. She walked to the graveyard — silent and still. There it was: Ceillie's grave, marked with a golden gravestone that shimmered faintly under the morning light.
Josephine knelt down and gently rubbed her fingers over the engraved name. Her eyes filled with tears.
Memories flooded her mind — Nana Ceillie's soft singing, her laughter while cooking, her warm hugs that smelled of vanilla and home.
"I miss you so much," Josephine whispered, her voice breaking in her mind and Xavi heard her. "Please come back to me. I wish you could live forever… but you can't. Nobody can."
The weight of loss pressed heavily on her chest. She laid the flowers on the grave and slowly lay her head on the cold stone. Her tears soaked into the earth as she drifted to sleep beside it.
Two hours later, Xavi arrived. He stood silently for a moment, his eyes dark with sorrow. Then he placed a white flower beside Ceillie's name, whispered a prayer under his breath, and gently lifted Josephine into his arms. He carried her back to the castle with swift steps, her head resting on his shoulder.
By the time they returned, the hall was alive with voices and laughter. King Hendrick and his family had arrived — along with King Raden and Piere, Callum and Nyx, Oliver and Kara, and Noah and Tess. The great reunion filled the air with warmth and noise.
When Xavi entered with Josephine, everyone bowed slightly in greeting. He carried her to the hall, laying her gently on the couch, a soft blanket draped over her shoulders. Her family portrait hung above the fireplace, glowing in the firelight.
Adris woke later, rubbing his sleepy face. His arm still throbbed a little. He stumbled out of bed and accidentally bumped into Anesthesia in the corridor.
"Sorry, Auntie Annie," he mumbled with a yawn.
"It's fine, baby," Anesthesia said, kneeling beside him. "Does your arm still hurt?"
"Yes… a lot," Adris said, his voice small.
She smiled and whispered, "Elysian Bloom." Her hand glowed faintly as she passed it over his arm, and the pain slowly faded.
Adris grinned wide. "Thank you, Auntie Annie!" he said, hugging her before running off.
Xoni appeared nearby, watching with folded arms and a soft smile.
"Do you want a baby?" she asked suddenly.
Anesthesia's cheeks flushed. "Yes… I do, love."
"Then your wish will be fulfilled," Xoni said, kissing her gently.
"I'll take over tonight," Anesthesia whispered and walked away.
Xoni's eyes followed her with a knowing smile.
In the sitting room, Kara sat beside Nyx, who was unusually quiet.
"What's wrong?" Kara asked softly.
Nyx sighed, her eyes misting. "I made a mistake… Callum is angry with me. I told him I wanted a baby — he said he doesn't. And then, in the academy, he saw my brother hugging me. He still thinks I'm having an affair." Her voice trembled. "I got mad and slapped him. It's been three weeks… he hasn't spoken to me, nor eaten my food."
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Kara reached out and pulled her into a warm hug.
"It'll be okay, Nyx. He just needs to remember who you are to him."
Tess overheard from the doorway and quietly went to find Callum. He was sitting outside, sharpening his sword, his face expressionless.
"Do you want a child, Callum?" she asked.
He looked up, surprised. "I… I don't know. Maybe I'm not ready."
Tess crouched beside him. "Of course, you are. You raised me, Piere, and especially Jojo. You changed her diapers, fed her, played with her. You did everything a father does."
He looked down, his heart heavy. "Yeah… people thought I was too young to be a dad back then."
Tess smiled faintly. "Then go now. Your wife is crying."
He sighed deeply and stood. When he found Nyx asleep on the couch, he quietly lifted her and carried her to their room. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her as she stirred faintly, whispering his name.
That night, Xavi and Adris worked in the kitchen together.
"Hi, Papa!" Adris said cheerfully, dragging a stool closer.
"Hey, my child. Want to help me?"
"Yep!"
They mixed flour, sugar, lemon zest, and raspberries, the air filling with the sweet smell of vanilla. Their laughter echoed softly — a rare, gentle sound in the great castle. By the time the clock struck 11:59 p.m., they entered the bedroom quietly.
Josephine was asleep.
"Mama… Mama," Adris whispered. She stirred slightly, rubbing her eyes.
"Josephine, baby," Xavi said softly.
She sat up slowly, brushing her hair aside.
"Happy Birthday!" they both said together.
Josephine smiled, her eyes glimmering in the candlelight as Xavi held out the cake.
Morning dawned. A loud knock sounded on Xavi's door.
"Jojo! Come out quickly — Tess and Callum are fighting!" Piere shouted.
Josephine ran out, heart pounding. But when she reached the dining hall, she stopped. Everyone was gathered there — laughing. Tess was holding a cake, grinning widely.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOJO!" they all shouted.
Music filled the hall, voices blending into laughter. Even Xavi came down, his eyes filled with pride as he watched her smile — radiant and bright.
But when Josephine took her first bite, she froze. The flavor — soft vanilla and raspberry lemon — was identical to Nana Ceillie's recipe.
Her heart ached.
"Nana…" she whispered silently in her thoughts. "My first birthday without you. Why did you have to go?"
Kara saw her wipe a tear. Xavi's eyes softened.
"Jojo, tonight is the night of the Purple Moon," Kara reminded her quietly. "Keep calm, okay?"
Josephine nodded weakly. She gathered herself, cut more slices, and fed everyone their share.
Later that afternoon, she brought a plate of cake to Sophia's guest room. The older woman was quietly packing her things.
"Mama?" Josephine said softly in her mind
Sophia smiled faintly. "Your father wants a divorce… to marry his mistress. I'll go far away, but I'll still visit you, my love."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Maybe this is what I deserve — for being a bad mother. Now… I got my karma."
Josephine hugged her tightly as Sophia cried into her shoulder. Neither noticed Hendrick standing outside the door, listening in silence. He crushed the cigarette in his hand and walked away, guilt heavy in his heart.
By evening, the castle was alive again. Xavi kept Josephine busy while the others arranged the decorations — balloons, lights, and silver ribbons.
Nyx was setting up the hall when Callum approached silently, handing her a bundle of string. She took it without looking. Then he leaned forward, kissed her cheek, and walked away. Nyx froze, her cheeks flushing.
Later, when he went to shower, Nyx walked into the room.
"Honey, can you pass me the towel?" Callum called from behind the curtain.
She handed it to him, but before she could turn, he grabbed her hand, pulling her into the shower.
"Hey!" Nyx gasped.
He was still wrapped in a towel, his body dripping water, his arms strong as they caged her against the wall.
"Let me go," she said quietly, looking away.
He cupped her face gently. "I'm sorry… baby."
Her anger melted into silence as he kissed her — slow, deep, and full of apology.
"Oh, Callum…" she whispered between his kisses.
Outside, the final preparations continued. The night grew darker. The moon began to rise — not silver, but purple, glowing like a gemstone against the stars.
As its light washed through the castle, Josephine's eyes glimmered. They turned crimson red.
And somewhere deep within her — something ancient stirred.