Five days later, the golden dawn rose over Zephyria — the kingdom reborn under Queen Josephine's grace. The sky shimmered a gentle silver-blue, and the banners of white and gold fluttered above the tall marble towers. Life had returned to every street, every garden, every market stall. Zephyria was alive.
Josephine walked through her kingdom's heart with Xavi at her side. He never left her for even a moment. His arm stayed protectively around her waist, his eyes scanning every corner, as though danger could rise from the very air.
"Well done, my baby," Xavi said, pride softening his voice. "Your kingdom is as beautiful as you are… my Queen."
She turned to him, their eyes meeting beneath the golden light. For a moment, everything else fell away — the noise, the crowd, the air. Just the two of them.
Her lips did not move, but her voice filled his mind:
I really love you, Xavi.
He smiled, hearing her thought clearly, and leaned in to kiss her deeply.
Hmhmhmm, he murmured through their bond, his fingers sliding gently through her soft white hair.
In Josephine's arms, Adris rested peacefully, his little fingers clutching the edge of her gown.
Soon, the rest of the family arrived, stepping down from their carriages one by one. The courtyard erupted in laughter and greetings.
"Oh my days!" Queen Kendra exclaimed as she stepped out, eyes wide with delight.
"Wowww!" shouted the twins, Celine and Celeste, spinning around in awe.
Rune, curious and elegant, turned to her mother. "Who is the ruler here?" she asked playfully.
Lyra smiled proudly. "All hail Queen Josephine!"
"HAIL!" everyone echoed as Josephine walked forward.
A soft blue smoke began to swirl around her feet. The ethereal mist rose higher, wrapping around her body like magic reborn. Her clothes shifted in a flash of light — the transformation seamless and royal.
She now wore a white halter top with a flowing layered skirt that gleamed in the sunlight. The high slit revealed golden anklets that jingled softly as she moved. Gold decorative bands and trim ran along her skirt, and her neck, arms, and head were adorned with intricate jewelry that shimmered like starlight.
When she entered the throne room, her presence commanded silence. Xavi stood proudly by the pillar, watching as she sat on her throne — legs crossed, one arm resting on the carved lion head beside her seat. Her aura radiated strength, grace, and silent power.
As Queen, Josephine wasted no time. She entered the vast villages of Zephyria, walking among her people, helping rebuild shops, schools, and homes. She encouraged dreamers, funded artists, and created a world where no one lacked food or shelter. Every hand she touched found hope. Every word — even unspoken — carried compassion.
She came across an old lady by the well — a witch who reminded her of Ceillie. Josephine knelt beside her, her heart aching with fond memories. The woman cared for a group of orphans, all thin and quiet, their eyes wide with gratitude.
Josephine helped them build a small home near the gardens. When it was done, the old woman took Josephine's hand and kissed it.
"Stay blessed forever, my Queen," she whispered tearfully.
Josephine hugged her, tears in her eyes as she looked at the children.
Meanwhile, Xavi was in the lower fields, helping an elderly man lift a fallen cart. His hands were dirty, his hair damp with sweat. When he finished, he kissed a small child's cheek and wiped the mud from her face. The kingdom was peaceful — perfect — as the sun set.
By nightfall, the family's bags were packed. Josephine felt a wave of exhaustion, her skin pale and her body feverish. She fell asleep almost instantly, with Xavi's arms around her and Adris tucked between them.
The next morning, the royal carriages began their journey to Noctyra, Xavi's kingdom — a land cloaked in eternal twilight. Noctyra was known as the deadest kingdom, but to Josephine, it was simply his home.
As they arrived, her fever worsened. The royal healers brought her herbs and potions. She grimaced at the bitter taste, and little Adris frowned in sympathy.
"It's really yucky, isn't it, Mama?" he said, his tiny nose scrunching up.
Josephine smiled weakly and nodded.
Xavi chuckled softly, brushing her hair aside. But then his smile faded. His instincts sharpened — the air shifted. Xoni, beside him, felt it too.
The carriage line stopped. Xavi's eyes began to glow faintly blue — danger.
Suddenly, masked figures emerged from the shadows, weapons glinting.
"GET THE GIRL!" one of them shouted.
Chaos exploded.
Xoni's hand transformed in a swift crawl of energy as she threw her blades, marking enemies left and right. Anesthesia formed a glowing shield around Josephine's carriage, chanting protection spells while scanning the woods for the attackers.
Inside, Adris stirred, frightened. His mother was still asleep, too weak to wake. The masked lady outside reached for the carriage door.
Something inside Adris snapped. His eyes glowed bright green.
"Stay… away…" he whispered.
The air trembled. The carriage doors burst open as green smoke swirled violently around him. Xavi froze, recognizing that aura.
"Velara's powers…" he breathed.
Adris's small body rose into the air, his eyes blazing pure green.
"Adris!" Xoni called out.
"Adris!" Queen Kendra shouted, terrified.
"NOBODY TOUCH MY MAMA!" Adris roared.
His body surged, transforming — growing. The air cracked with power. He towered above the forest, his voice echoing like thunder. Trees shattered, the earth shook. The masked warriors fled in panic.
"MAMA!" he shouted again.
"Adris! Calm down!" Xavi called, flying up to him.
Josephine's eyes snapped open. Feeling his energy, she ran out of the carriage and took flight, her gown fluttering behind her like a comet.
"JOJO!" Adris cried, his giant form trembling as he crushed trees in panic.
She soared up, right to his face. Her tiny hands cupped his massive cheek, her eyes filled with tears.
"Mama," he sobbed in a rumbling voice.
She kissed his forehead. A red glow rippled across his body. His form shrank, returning to normal. He fell into her arms, crying hard as she rubbed his back gently.
Xavi landed beside them, panting, his wings folding. He touched his son's cheek.
"Adris, my boy… are you okay?"
Adris didn't answer, just buried his face in Josephine's neck.
Xavi sighed, holding both of them close. "It's okay," he whispered. "Your powers are growing… that's all."
Josephine nodded softly, her fingers running through Adris's hair.
Back at Noctyra, the family gathered again. But Rune's eyes glinted with jealousy. For reasons she could not even explain, she hated Josephine — hated her quiet strength and the love she received.
As the night fell, Josephine grew weaker. Her fever rose again. She thought softly to herself, her words echoing through the bond she shared with Xavi:
Who could possibly want to take me? I don't know anyone. I've never hurt anyone…
Xavi heard her thought, but before he could answer, she drifted into sleep.
By noon, tension filled the palace. For the first time ever, Xavi and Josephine had an argument.
"For goodness' sake, Josephine," Xavi snapped, frustration flashing in his eyes. "It's not that hard to understand that I don't like this!"
He pointed to the flowers Rune had arranged in their room.
Josephine signed calmly — she hadn't placed them there. But Rune smiled faintly in the corner, enjoying the rising fire.
"Don't you dare lie to me!" Xavi shouted.
Anesthesia and Xoni froze.
Then — it happened. A sound no one expected.
Xavi's hand struck her cheek.
The room fell silent.
"XAVI!" Anesthesia screamed, pushing him backward. "Are you out of your mind?!"
Josephine stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. The silence between them cracked the air like glass. Rune chuckled faintly — a cruel, satisfied sound.
Josephine's hands trembled. In a flash, her sword materialized in her palm, summoned by sheer emotion.
"Josephine!" Queen Kendra shouted.
Josephine moved swiftly — she didn't stab, but the blade grazed Rune's leg, slicing her gown as Rune screamed in shock and stumbled back. Josephine's fury burned in her eyes, silent but powerful.
Xavi's expression shattered as he looked at the hand that had struck her. "What… what have I done?" he whispered, stepping backward.
Josephine dropped the sword and fled the room, tears streaming silently down her face.
"Jojo!" Anesthesia called, chasing after her, but she was too fast.
"Why did you put the flowers in their room?!" Xoni demanded, glaring at Rune.
Adris stood by the door, trembling, tears filling his big eyes. "Mama…" he whispered, covering his face.
Xavi stumbled back into his room, locking the door. He slid down the wall, his voice breaking.
"What have I done?" he whispered. "I raised my hand… on her. The woman I love."
He buried his face in his hands. "She'll never come back. She'll leave me forever."
He screamed her name, destroying everything in the room in anguish.
"JOSEPHINE!!!"
In Zephyria, Josephine arrived in her castle, running straight to her chambers. Assia and Lyra followed her immediately.
"What happened?" Lyra asked breathlessly.
A maid who had accompanied Josephine stepped forward, trembling. "His Majesty… he slapped her."
Assia's eyes widened. "He couldn't! He loves her!"
But Josephine shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. The truth burned too deep.
Back in Noctyra, the castle had fallen silent. Adris cried quietly, missing his mother.
Days turned into weeks. Josephine never returned.
Xavi locked himself in his room for three weeks, lost in guilt and madness. He stopped eating, stopped speaking. The once mighty King had broken himself.
Adris often traveled to Zephyria with Queen Kendra's help, hugging his mother and crying silently in her arms.
Rune and her mother left the castle, offering apologies too late to matter.
On the fourth night, Adris turned three. The little boy walked quietly to an old wishing well, clutching his toy and a single gold coin.
"I wish Mama and Papa would be together again," he whispered and dropped the coin into the water.
Later that night, he sat on the balcony, staring at the stars. A single shooting star blazed across the sky.
He closed his eyes and whispered again, "I wish my parents get together again."
The wind blew softly through his hair. He smiled faintly and fell asleep under the glow of the moon — his small heart full of hope.