Morning began with power and purpose.
The sky was heavy with silver-gray clouds that promised rain, but inside the castle, something far brighter was taking shape. Xavi stood at the head of the war table, his sharp eyes moving from one face to another — members of the Blood Reign Syndicate, the most feared and loyal faction in the underworld. They were his shadows, his family's invisible guard, and the unseen sword behind his throne.
The map before them was inked with crimson lines and gold marks — routes, signals, protections. Xavi's deep voice filled the room as he gave his commands. "No one outside this circle must know. Not Remus. Not Velara. Josephine's coronation will happen under our protection — not a whisper will reach her enemies."
The Syndicate bowed their heads. Their oaths were sealed in blood and silence.
When the meeting ended, Xavi turned toward his family — Queen Kendra, Xoni, Seika, Morvan, and the others — gathered in the Great Hall to make arrangements. The castle hummed with quiet movement: silks being measured, crowns polished, spells of protection layered into the stones. The ceremony was not to be just a royal event — it was the rise of The Silent Queen.
Remus and Velara, however, knew nothing. Their days passed with false calm, unaware of the grand plan moving beneath their feet like fire beneath ice.
That evening, Josephine returned from the Academy, her cloak damp with rain and Adris sleeping in her arms. His small head rested against her shoulder; her steps were slow, tired, but peaceful. By the time she reached Xavi's chamber, her body begged for rest. She laid Adris gently beside her on the bed and fell asleep beside him, her hair fanned across the pillow like spun silk.
When Xavi entered and saw them — mother and son, tangled together in peace — a rare softness overtook him. The king, feared across realms, smiled quietly. He closed the door, removing his crown and armor, and slipped under the covers beside them. He rested one arm over both of them, letting the rhythm of their breathing pull him into sleep.
Hours later, a knock disturbed the silence. It was Velara.
"Your Highness," she said in her honeyed, dangerous tone, "I need to speak with you."
"I don't want your presence. Leave," Xavi said coldly, his hand already on the door to his room.
She followed anyway, her heeled steps echoing against the marble. Velara — tall, with pink hair cascading like silk ribbons, brown skin glowing under the hall lights, and bright yellow eyes that gleamed with envy.
She caught sight of what lay beyond the door — Josephine asleep on the bed, Adris curled up beside her.
Her words came like venom. "She's in your room… You never let anyone inside your chamber. Not even me."
Xavi turned, gaze like iron. "Exactly. But Josephine did. This is her and my chamber."
He closed the door and locked it.
Velara's nails bit into her palms. "How dare she!" she hissed under her breath.
Inside, Xavi lay down again beside Josephine and Adris, pulling them close. For the first time in weeks, the king slept deeply.
Five hours passed.
When Xavi awoke, sunlight filtered through the curtains. Josephine was still fast asleep, soft breaths rising and falling. He carried Adris to the bath, washed and dressed him in light clothes, then kissed Josephine's cheek before heading downstairs for lunch.
By three, Velara had forced herself into the kitchen, cooking as if to impress the family. The air was thick with spices and silent hatred.
"I think I'll skip lunch," Xavi said, taking Adris by the hand.
"Me too," the boy echoed softly.
They walked together to the throne room, father and son — a perfect mirror of strength and innocence. Xavi's throne gleamed under the chandelier — made of rare golden orbs gathered from seven kingdoms, each infused with magic. The throne pulsed faintly with the ancient power of his bloodline. Adris, already inheriting his father's gifts, touched the gold and it glowed faintly beneath his small palm.
Upstairs, Josephine stirred.
Assia entered the chamber with a warm smile. "Come, Your Majesty. It's time for dinner."
Josephine yawned softly, rubbing her eyes. Her hair was tangled from sleep. As she stepped into the hall, she met Xavi's gaze. His face broke into a smile.
"You're up, princess," he said fondly.
Josephine smiled sleepily and opened her arms. He swept her up easily, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're warm," he whispered against her ear. She smiled, her cheek brushing his collarbone.
They descended together — Josephine on Xavi's back, Adris skipping ahead. The family turned to watch, the hall glowing with laughter. All except Velara, whose hand snapped her spoon in half, her rage barely concealed.
Anesthesia stepped forward suddenly. Xavi— look! Josephine's face! Her temperature's rising again."
Xavi froze, lowering Josephine gently into his arms. Her skin was hot — burning. "Get me the healer. Now," he ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Assia ran out instantly.
Queen Kendra's eyes narrowed. "Xavi, dear… does your wife have any health issues?"
Xavi hesitated, but it was Anesthesia who answered. "Yes. She was poisoned when she was three years old. It's been growing inside her ever since."
The hall fell silent.
"Seika!" Kendra called sharply.
"Yes, Grandmother?" Seika said, moving swiftly forward.
"Check her. Now."
Seika knelt beside Josephine, placing her glowing hand on her forehead. Her eyes flickered white for a second. Then she gasped. "The poison… it's already reached her heart."
"Do you have a cure?" Xavi demanded, gripping Josephine's hand.
"I'll find one," Seika said firmly, though fear rippled in her tone. Her eyes darted briefly toward Warrick, who smiled at her — a brief spark of warmth that made her blush.
Josephine stirred, groaning softly. Her head pounded. She opened her eyes to find Adris beside her, his little face pale with worry.
"Are you okay, Mama?" he whispered, kissing her forehead.
She brushed his cheek, forcing a weak smile. "My brave boy," she whispered in her thoughts.
Velara watched from the shadows, her envy now molten. The more affection Josephine received, the deeper her hatred grew. Remus's jaw tightened as he watched Xavi's hand caress Josephine's face with a tenderness he had never shown anyone else.
Later, as Josephine rested, Xavi gave her the medicine she needed. Adris, curious, toddled toward the kitchen. Velara knelt beside him, voice dripping false sweetness.
"Hi, baby. Want to play?" she said.
Adris frowned and crossed his arms. "Nope. Nope. Bye. I'm only Jojo's baby! You're not my mom. Jojo is my real and best mommy ever!"
Velara's smile faltered. "You're the future king, Adris. And I'll make sure of it."
"I don't want to be king! I hate you! I hate you!" Adris cried, his voice echoing down the hall.
Josephine appeared just in time, rushing forward and scooping him up. "Shhh… it's okay," she murmured in her thoughts, holding him tightly. Adris clung to her, sobbing into her neck.
Velara's fury snapped. "I'll make sure to get you away from my son and my husband, you low-life bitch!"
Josephine didn't reply. She turned and walked away, Adris trembling in her arms.
At the corner of the corridor, Xavi appeared. "Hey, my babies. What's wrong?" he asked gently.
Adris wiped his tears. "That… that bitch! wants me to be king, Papa! I'm sorry for cussing, but I don't like her. Send her away, Papa! She's gonna hurt my Jojo!"
Xavi exchanged a look with Josephine. Then he leaned down, kissed her lips, and kissed Adris's cheeks. "No one will hurt either of you," he said. "Ever."
The next morning, light poured into their chamber. Josephine woke to find a letter on her pillow — stamped with the Academy's seal. She tore it open, read the words, and gasped.
"They're on holiday!" she said in her mind joyfully, shaking Xavi awake making a fast signs at him.
He laughed, pulling her into his arms. "Sweetheart, calm down!"
He only laughed harder, bouncing on the bed until he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down. Their laughter faded into soft kisses. The rain began to fall outside, heavy and rhythmic, and soon their clothes were gone, their warmth tangled beneath the covers. Outside, thunder whispered; inside, only their quiet breaths filled the room as they were Having a naked cuddle with each other.
In another wing of the castle, Xoni stood by her window, watching the same rain. Anesthesia came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Need something, my queen?" Anesthesia whispered.
Xoni smiled faintly. "Just you, my sweetheart," she murmured — and their lips met in the rainlight.
Four days later, preparations for the coronation were complete.
Xavi stood before the throne room, the old crown of his ancestors in his hands. Gold, heavy, carved with symbols of unity and war. His mother had worn it. His grandmother before her. And now, it would grace Josephine's head.
He polished it himself — a king's hand on his queen's future.
"It's time for you, my love," he whispered to the crown, smiling softly.
Around him, the castle glittered with banners, the Syndicate guarded every corner, and the family gathered in quiet anticipation.
The Silent Queen was about to rise.
And this time, nothing — not poison, not envy, not war — would stop her.