Two days had passed since the grand parties ended. The morning sunlight crept gently through the golden curtains, illuminating the peaceful scene on the royal bed. Josephine and Adris were wrapped around each other, their breaths calm and synchronized in deep slumber. Xavi stood beside them for a moment, his expression softening at the sight of his wife and son peacefully sleeping.
Quietly, he pulled the royal blanket over them both, ensuring they were warm and comfortable before turning away. He exhaled slowly, straightening his robe as he descended the grand marble staircase.
Downstairs, one of Zephyria's guards awaited him. The man bowed deeply, holding a sealed scroll in his gloved hands.
"Your Majesty," the guard said, voice firm. "Updates from Zephyria — all is well within the kingdom. The border patrols have doubled, and no threats have been sighted."
Xavi nodded approvingly, his voice calm but commanding. "She's still asleep. I'll deliver the information myself when she wakes. Thank you."
The guard bowed again, murmuring, "Yes, Your Majesty," before turning away and exiting through the tall obsidian doors.
With everything in order, Xavi made his way to the kitchen — something the royal chefs rarely allowed, yet none dared to stop him today. The King of Madness, as the realms whispered, stood before a row of pans and spices, sleeves rolled up and expression focused. He cooked quietly, moving with precision and care — fish and chips, dumplings, honey chicken glazed to golden perfection, and garlic butter rice.
When the aroma filled the air, he smirked. "For my loves," he murmured.
Moments later, Xavi carried a large silver tray upstairs. As he entered the room, Josephine was already awake, sitting upright on the bed with Adris in her lap. Her long white hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and Adris was laughing at the way his mother's hair glowed when light touched it.
"Good morning, my Queen," Xavi said, setting the tray down.
Josephine's lips curved into a small, radiant smile. Her son clapped his little hands.
"Papa made food!" Adris cheered.
Xavi uncovered the tray — fish and chips, dumplings, honey chicken with garlic butter rice, all perfectly arranged. Josephine's eyes widened slightly; she picked up a chip and a dumpling, taking a bite. Her smile widened as she thought, X is such a good cook!
Xavi smirked subtly, hearing her thought echo in his mind.
As they ate, Josephine's smile slowly faded. She stared at her hands — hands that always reminded her of her late Nana.
Your hands will always remind me of my dearest Nana. Keep resting, Nana… you were not just my Nana, but my mother, my everything.
Her face softened with sadness. Xavi noticed and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her lips, holding her close until her sadness melted into his warmth.
Meanwhile, Adris was busy devouring the honey chicken. His little eyes brightened. "Wow!!! Papa is the best cook ever!" he declared, licking his tiny palm.
Both parents laughed at their son's pure joy.
Downstairs, laughter echoed too — Xoni and Anesthesia were sitting on the velvet couch, sipping tea.
"What do you want for your birthday, my sweet baby?" Xoni asked playfully.
Anesthesia smiled. "My birthday is April 9th… surprise me!"
"Well," Xoni grinned mischievously, leaning closer, "let's start by giving you a baby of our own."
Anesthesia gasped, then smacked her arm playfully. "You're impossible!"
They both burst into laughter.
By 10:08 a.m., the castle was alive with commotion. Noah, Tess, Piere, Raden, Nyx, and Callum had arrived. But not everyone was at peace.
Raden's eyes followed Piere quietly — tension thick in the air. They had fought days ago over a harsh argument, and Piere had refused to speak to him since. Raden tried to catch his gaze, but Piere avoided him completely. Regret filled Raden's chest, but his pride chained his apology.
Meanwhile upstairs, Xavi ensured Josephine and Adris were occupied. He approached her after breakfast, handing her the royal scroll.
"These are the updates from Zephyria," he said.
Josephine nodded, already preparing to leave. She dressed elegantly — her white gown gleaming with silver threads. Adris clung to her arm as she waved goodbye.
"Bye, Papa!" Adris shouted cheerfully.
Xavi smiled warmly, waving back. "Be safe, my Queen."
Before they departed, he ordered four thousand guards to accompany and protect them on the journey.
Once they were gone, Xavi dressed in his royal battle attire — the King's Robe of Power, a dark garment etched with red sigils. He descended to the great hall, where the royal families were gathered.
A guard arrived holding a glowing orb. "Your Majesty, Queen Josephine has arrived safely in Zephyria."
"Good," Xavi replied, his voice calm.
An hour later, the grand doors opened. A tall, light-skinned man entered — broad shoulders, silver hair slicked back — followed by his mother and four siblings.
It was the royal family of Ravenglade.
King Valen Draegor, the eldest and most arrogant of them all, walked with smug confidence. Behind him came Queen Elysira, his regal mother, and his siblings — Zyneth and Maloria, the twin sisters, and Thalior and Noire, his younger brothers.
"King Xavi!" Valen announced loudly, his tone dripping with mockery.
Xavi sat upon his throne, expressionless — cold, unreadable, dangerous.
At the side of the hall, Haillie glanced at Anya and gave her a subtle signal to return to her room. Anya rolled her blue eyes in defiance. Haillie smirked, raising a single hand — casting a spell that wrapped invisible chains around Anya's body, forcing her to march to her room and locking the door behind her.
"Don't you think you're forcing yourself on her?" Neever said sharply.
Haillie sighed. "Maybe…"
"Just try being sincere next time," Xantha added softly. Haillie nodded reluctantly.
Back in the hall, Noah and Tess stood by Xavi.
"Hey, bastard," Tess said coldly toward Valen.
Valen turned with a smirk. "Tess! What a beautiful surprise," he said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes.
Queen Elysira walked to her and hugged her tightly. Leaning close, she whispered in Tess's ear, "Did you get Josephine out of here?"
Tess nodded subtly.
Elysira pulled away, smiling politely.
Valen frowned. "Where is she?" he demanded.
In Kara castle, Kara overheard everything. She glanced at Oliver beside her.
"Can Xavi just kill him already?" Oliver muttered, slipping an arm around her waist.
Kara smirked, eating a strawberry from his hand. "No, Jojo will kill him herself."
Oliver chuckled, gazing at her. "Do you… want a baby?"
Kara's eyes widened. "Yes! Finally, you asked!"
He laughed, kissing her forehead.
Back in the throne room, Valen's attention shifted. His eyes landed on a grand portrait — Xavi, Josephine, and Adris smiling as a royal family. His jaw clenched, his eyes glowing faint yellow. He was a full-blooded wolf — a Beta. Xavi was an Alpha.
Far away, Josephine had completed her Queenly duties in Zephyria and was having lunch, feeding her son. Afterward, they began their journey back home.
Meanwhile, Xavi sat silently on his throne, still as stone. His silence was deadly.
Valen finally stood, sliding his hands into his pockets. "You have what belongs to me, Xavi. Give her back."
The air grew tense.
Xoni looked at him warily. "Xavi?" he whispered.
But Xavi — the King of Madness — began to laugh. Not softly. Not kindly. It was the sound of thunder breaking sanity.
"Shut up!" Valen barked.
In a flash, Xavi vanished from his throne — reappearing before Valen in a blink. His foot connected with Valen's stomach in a vicious kick, sending him crashing to the floor. Before Valen could recover, Xavi grabbed his blue hair and punched his face — once, twice… eighteen times, each blow cracking through the air until Valen's nose bled profusely.
His family looked away; none dared to interfere. They had seen what Xavi could do.
Xavi's voice was ice and fire combined. "Listen, you bloody bastard. If you ever touch even a single strand of her hair again, I will kill you — and display your body across every kingdom. No man will ever look at her. Only me. Got it?"
At that same moment, Josephine entered the hall, holding Adris in her arms. The child was singing happily, planting kisses on his mother's cheeks.
Valen froze, his eyes wide. "Josephine…" he breathed.
Her body went still. The sound of his voice triggered every buried scar in her mind — fear, trauma, the pain of every moment he'd ever hurt her.
Tess rushed to her side, taking her hand gently. "Hey, baby," Tess said softly, kissing her cheek.
"ALL HAIL QUEEN JOSEPHINE!" Caius shouted.
"HAIL!" everyone echoed, bowing low.
Josephine's eyes shimmered red with rage. She looked at Valen — trembling, bleeding — and something inside her snapped.
She stormed forward, grabbed Xavi's belt from his waist, and began striking Valen repeatedly. Each hit carried years of agony.
"This is for all the beatings," she screamed in her mind. "For all the pain! For slapping my Nana!"
Her tears fell as she hit him again and again — until her legs gave out.
"Woah…" Noah muttered.
Xavi quickly pulled her back, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist as she kicked in the air, still trying to reach Valen.
Queen Elysira hurried to her son, bowing her head. "My sincere apologies, Queen Josephine," she said as Valen coughed up blood.
Josephine's eyes caught sight of a hot iron nearby — she lifted it, fury still blazing — but just then, Adris ran in holding a tray.
"Mama, look! Cupcakes!!!" he said happily.
Instantly, Josephine froze. She quickly hid the iron behind her and wiped her face clean, forcing a smile.
"Cupcakes!" she echoed, kneeling to him.
Adris giggled and fed her a piece, then fed Xavi. "Papa and Mama eat together!" he said proudly.
Queen Elysira helped her unconscious son away, leading her family out of the castle.
As peace slowly returned, Josephine sat beside Xavi, eating cupcakes from her son's little hands — her anger melted by the sweetness of the moment.
And for that moment, The Silent Queen smiled again.