By sunrise, the castle was quiet in that fragile way that follows fear and prayer. Xavi sat still after he had just finished bathing Josephine, his hands trembling slightly as if the night had carved itself into his bones. Her breathing was steady now, softer, calmer. He stayed close, afraid to move, afraid to hope too loudly.
By sunrise Xavi sat as he just finished bathing Josephine Vaedor and Kaelric entered the room is Mama okay now Dad? Vaedor said Yeah she is she will wake up soon Xavi said as his hair was now white he held Josephine hand and kissed her hands and went to make breakfast
The white in Xavi's hair told a story no one dared to speak aloud. Love had aged him in a single night.
The hall outside Josephine's chambers was heavy with tension. Orion and Ophelia sat side by side, shoulders drawn inward, eyes swollen from crying. They had been summoned. They knew why.
both Orion and Opehlia were sitting in Josephine hall waiting for their Father as he summoned them You both really hurt your Mother badly and your father is extremely angry and disappointed at the two of you Xoni said What the hell has gotten into the both of you I mean seriously!? She said Pushing your mother down? Xoni said again
Xoni's voice cracked with fury and heartbreak, the sharpness of an aunt who loved too fiercely to be gentle in moments like this.
W…e....are sorry it was a mistake we were very angry we weren't in our right minds Orion said while wiping his tears
Their apology fell into the room like broken glass—painful, sincere, but too late to undo the damage.
Xavi entered he was cleaning his hands calm down brother and take it easy Xoni said as he took a deep breath and sat down You both have disappointed me so badly and he hurt me so much You both pushed your mother? Xavi said My Josephine….he said again trying to hide his tears the both of you know what she passing through because of me Xavi said as Xoni placed her hand on his shoulder comforting her twin brother
A king, a husband, a father—Xavi wore all three crowns at once, and all three were heavy.
Xavi locked his lick you both will beg for her forgiveness and receive punishments for me he said as Vaedor walked in Papa mama is awake! He said
Hope rushed in faster than breath.
as Kaelric held Josephine as she sat down at the dining table Xavi rush to her side Welcome home darling Josephine said softly
Her voice was weak, but it was there—and that was everything.
How are you feeling Jojo? Xoni said I am better now I vomited the poison and now am really hungry Josephine said
The smallest smile broke through the fear.
as Novara entered holding a tray of food Hi mama! She said Nova baby!? Josephine said as she opened her arms for her daughter Novara dropped the tray and hugged her mother tightly I am happy to see you too Novara said she kissed Josephine cheeks she also fed her
No crown, no throne—just a mother and her child, holding on.
Xavi told the maids to leave all of them as he gave both the twins punishment to clean the whole castle and so they did
Justice, not cruelty. Discipline born from love.
Beyond the walls, life continued. Steel clashed against steel in the training grounds.
Basil was training with Adris Novara stepped out Adris! She said as both men turned to her yeah? Adris said Papa is calling you she said Adris walked passed her while patting her head she smiled at him Basil took the towel and clean his face
And in that ordinary moment, something unexpected happened.
Novara blushed a little as she was about to leave Basil grabbed her H-! She said before she could finish her sentence he placed a little kissed on her lips her eyes got wide it was her first kiss Basil smiled at her While holding her neck You look so gorgeous he said in a whispered tone You also look very handsome too…Novara said as Basil kissed her forehead.
In a castle that had almost lost its queen, love still found new beginnings.
Night fell again, quietly this time.
By midnight Grandma wake up a tiny girl voice said as Josephine opened her eyes she saw her Granddaughter Fiero she saw her family Happy Birthday they all said holding a cake Josephine wiped her tears and cut the cake Thank you all she said
Tears of survival. Tears of gratitude. Another year she never thought she'd see.
Elsewhere, love lingered in softer corners.
Meanwhile Basil was sitting on Novara chair in her room as she opened the door and saw him W..w..what are you doing here by this time? She said I can't sleep he said as she lay on the bed and gave him a sign to sleep beside her he got on the bed she covered him and kissed his forehead as he slowly fell asleep.
By sunrise, by midnight, by whispered apologies and stolen kisses—
the Silent Queen lived.
And the castle, bruised but breathing, lived with her.