Josephine sat quietly as everyone around her was in a heated argument. Because of her health condition, she remained seated, her hands resting on her lap as she tried to calm them down.
"Please, stop," Josephine said softly, trying to separate them.
At that moment, Opehlia and Orion were in a fierce argument, their voices sharp with pain and anger. Josephine tried again to stop them, but emotions were already out of control.
"Can you please stop fighting?" Josephine said, her voice trembling as she stood slightly to intervene.
"Get lost!" Orion shouted.
Before anyone could react, he pushed her.
Josephine fell to the ground.
Everyone froze.
The room went silent.
"HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!"
A strong, thunderous, fatherly voice filled the room.
It was their father.
It was Josephine's husband.
King Xavi Roman.
Everyone immediately bowed down in shock and fear.
"YOU PUSHED YOUR MOTHER—MY WIFE!!!!" Xavi roared.
Without hesitation, Xavi grabbed Orion and Opehlia by their hair and dragged them outside. He forced them down on their knees. Heavy rain clouds gathered above as thunder rolled.
Xavi raised his hand and slapped them—hard—both of them. The sound echoed.
Rain began to fall.
Xavi rushed back and took Josephine's hands gently.
"I am so sorry, my love," he said as he kissed her hands repeatedly, wiping away her tears. His voice broke.
"You two are very, very bad," Vaedor cried with tears streaming down his face. "Now Mama is crying again because of you two."
"I hate you both!" Vaedor screamed before running inside and slamming his door shut.
Kaelric ran after him.
"V!" he called out.
Xavi sat beside Josephine as Lyra stepped forward with herbs.
"Here, love. Drink," Xavi said softly.
Josephine drank it all.
Xavi then took out a small crystal bottle.
It was rose water from the Elf Kingdom—rare, powerful, sacred.
She had been sick for four years now, ever since enemies tried to poison Xavi. The drink had been switched. Josephine drank it instead.
It was a slow poison.
Now, Xavi had finally found the cure.
"Here, my darling," he whispered.
She drank it all and rested her head on his shoulder.
Xavi gently patted her hair, holding her close. He looked at the twins with pain and disappointment while comforting his wife.
Eventually, Josephine fell asleep.
"Uncle Xavi looks really mad, Daddy…" Aira whispered.
Kael, now eighteen, sighed. "Yeah."
Beline held Kael's arm. She was forty-seven, and Kael was forty-five.
After King Xavi covered his sleeping wife with a blanket, he stood up.
"She will sleep for two days," he said.
Cauis, now forty-nine, took off his coat.
"They have been disrespectful to Her Majesty—rude, always fighting with others and with each other," Cauis said. "We checked. Nobody cast a spell on them. The truth is… Orion and Opehlia are both heartbroken over their lovers. They grew up in pain and brokenness."
"Josephine tried to help them," Caius whispered into Xavi's ear. "But they ignored her… and pushed her away."
Xavi turned back to the twins, his eyes burning.
"You pushed the woman who gave birth to you," Xavi said coldly, "all because you were hurt—in the name of love?"
"You mean," Xavi continued, his voice rising, "YOU BOTH HURT YOUR MOTHER. DISRESPECTED HER. IGNORED HER. INSULTED HER. HOW DARE YOU TWO!"
They trembled.
"W…e…" Orion tried to speak.
"SHUT UP!" Xavi shouted and slapped him again—then slapped Opehlia.
"You both know she is sick. She is tired. And she is still trying to understand you—FOOLS!"
Xavi grabbed a stick and struck them both repeatedly.
"Papa!"
A familiar voice stopped him.
Xavi turned.
It was his daughter.
Princess Novara.
"Why are you hitting them, Papa?" Novara asked softly.
Xavi froze, staring at her.
"Nova baby?" he whispered.
"Yes, Papa. Hi, Papa!" Novara said as she ran into his arms.
Xavi hugged her tightly, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
"They hurt your Mama," Xavi said, still holding her. "She is sleeping now."
"It's fine, Papa," Novara whispered. "They are deeply hurt too. They weren't in their right senses. Just take care of Mama."
Xavi nodded as Novara wiped his tears.
The twins sat on the ground, crying in shame.
Xavi sat down as Novara comforted him.
Kaelric came downstairs.
"Dad… V is sleeping beside Mama," he said quietly.
Orion and Opehlia were locked in their rooms, crying.
"I'm sorry, Mama," they both said separately.
In the morning, Xavi sat eating in the room. Josephine still hadn't woken up yet. The cure was working—healing her body, her mind, her spirit.
Her birthday was in four days.
"Nova!" Adris said as he hugged her tightly. "I missed you so much."
"Me too," Novara smiled. "And I know someone who missed you and waited for you," Adris said teasingly.
She smiled softly.
"I wonder how he is now… what if he's already with someone else…" she thought.
Meanwhile, two carriages arrived.
Adris stood outside.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," the men said.
Adris nodded. "It's good to see you, Basil."
He shook hands with the tallest man.
"You too, Your Majesty," Basil said with a smirk.
Basil was massive—tall, broad, heavy muscles, thick veins on his arms. His silver hair was cut low in freak waves.
They walked inside.
Basil's heart stopped.
He saw her.
Novara.
"That's Nova," Adris said as he watched her comfort her little brother.
"It's okay, love. Stop crying," she whispered.
Basil noticed the black diamond necklace around her neck.
The one he gave her.
She never took it off.
"Nova baby," Adris called.
"Big brother, V is still crying. Look—he has a fever," she said.
Basil could only stare.
Mine… he whispered.
One hour later, everyone ate—except the twins and Xavi. He was still angry.
He sighed and held Josephine's hand. She smiled in her sleep.
He kissed her lips and wrapped his arms around her.
Novara bumped into someone.
"Sorry, sir," she said shyly, her voice soft.
"Nova, darling?" the man said.
She looked up, raising her brows. "Excuse me?"
"Look closer, sweetheart," he said with a smirk. "Look at the person in front of you."
She stared.
Her eyes widened.
"Mr B… B… Basil…?" she whispered, stepping back.
"Yes, my love," he said, stepping closer.
He cupped her face with one hand.
"You look so gorgeous, my dear."
She blushed.
"Nova!" Adris called.
"C… Coming, Adris!" she replied.
They held each other's gaze for a moment before she walked away.
Basil smiled to himself.
"I will have you in my arms," he whispered. "I have waited a long time. The flowers grew… and now I will make you fully mine."
Basil smiled.