Three days later, dawn rolled through Zephyria like gold spilling over steel. The kingdom hummed awake under banners embroidered with Josephine's sigil — the white diamond wrapped in dark vines. Xavi stood tall in the Queen's castle, his presence both a command and a ghost. He had been sleeping little; his eyes always seemed to wander toward the empty seat beside him, where his Queen once ruled.
He was attending to the royal family that morning when Ardere arrived, her entourage sweeping into the grand hall in silks and whispers. Beside her, Lyra carried her baby boy — tiny Renar, three months old now, swaddled in a royal blue cloth.
"Hi, babies!" Assia cooed, rushing toward Orion and Ophelia, who sat in their gold-trimmed crib by the throne. The twins giggled, clapping their small hands as she lifted them one by one, pressing her cheek to theirs.
"Oh, so sweet!" she said again, her heart melting.
"Where's Prince Adris?" Lyra asked, rocking Renar gently.
"In school," Xavi replied simply, his voice calm, deep, and kingly.
The family sat around the long marble table, light from the windows scattering across its mirrored surface. Ardere's sharp eyes scanned the room. "Whose castle is this?" she asked, though the carvings on every pillar screamed the answer.
"This," Xavi said, turning his cold gaze to her, "is my wife's castle — Queen Josephine's. The Queen of Zephyria."
The hall doors opened with a groan that cut through the air. King Jett of Kaelrath entered with his council, a smirk already forming on his thin lips. "King Xavi," he said with mock courtesy.
Xavi folded his arms, unimpressed. "You want to take over Zephyria because my wife isn't around, isn't that right?"
King Jett smiled like a serpent. "Hmm. Smart."
"Go ahead," Xavi said suddenly, stepping aside with a lazy wave. "Sit on the throne then."
"What!?" Anesthesia gasped, rising. "Are you crazy?"
But Xavi's tone was eerily calm. "Let him."
Jett turned to one of his men and nodded. The foolish man strode forward with pride, his wife's lips curling into a self-satisfied smirk.
Queen Olydia whispered sharply, "Xavi, stop him! That's Jojo's throne!"
"Wait for it," Xavi murmured, chewing his gum with a grin that hinted at madness.
The man sat down, crossing his legs arrogantly, as Jett clapped mockingly.
Then — a sudden ripple in the air. The temperature dropped. From the shadows of the hall, Maelkor appeared — tall, spectral, his voice like thunder trapped in a jar.
"Do you have a death wish?" he asked, his tone laced with warning.
"What?" Jett blinked, unease creeping into his smirk.
Maelkor's eyes glowed faintly. "Get the hell up before—"
Before he could finish, the man on the throne stiffened. His body froze, every muscle locked. His eyes widened in terror as his veins turned black beneath his skin. He couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. His wife screamed, clutching him.
"What happened to him!?" she cried.
Maelkor turned to her coldly. "Josephine's throne is the Throne of Bones. Only the true ruler of Zephyria can sit upon it. Anyone else…" He let the pause fall like a hammer. "…dies — or becomes paralyzed, their soul cursed to linger here forever."
Xavi began to laugh — loud, unrestrained, echoing off the marble walls. His laughter filled the room until even the guards flinched.
"Serve your asses right!" he shouted between cackles. "You bloody fools!"
Jett's smirk died as guards dragged him and his cursed man out of the hall. His people fled, leaving silence behind them.
Xavi exhaled, wiping imaginary dust from Josephine's throne, then turned and lifted little Orion into his arms. Ophelia climbed onto his head, her tiny fingers clutching his hair as she laid her cheek on top, sucking her thumb peacefully.
He smiled faintly. "Let's go, my loves."
He took them for a walk through Zephyria's streets. The people bowed and waved warmly. "Long live King Xavi! Long live the Queen's family!" they called. To them, Xavi was not just a ruler — he was the living promise of Josephine's return.
After the walk, Xavi sat in the nursery with Orion babbling in his arms while Ophelia slept against his back. He laid her carefully in the crib.
"Here," Assia said, handing him a bottle.
"Thanks," he muttered, feeding Orion patiently.
After six hearty gulps, Orion's eyelids fluttered shut.
"Finally," Bernard whispered.
"Yeah," Neveer sighed.
Xavi chuckled, then flicked his fingers — a soundproof spell enclosed the crib. "Now they can't hear the noise."
"Aww, look at them! So cute!" Zaira squealed, clutching Yora's arm. Princess Zariah now — one married to Agana.
Moments later, Adris came storming in from school, fury written across his face. Ruby followed close behind, exasperated.
"Hello, King Xavi," Ruby greeted.
"Mrs. Ruby, what happened?" Xavi asked, already suspicious.
Ruby sighed. "Adris got into a fight with his senior. He broke the boy's nose and—used dark magic to make him run mad."
"Adris," Xavi called. The boy looked at his mother's picture hanging on the wall, eyes filling with shame.
"Adris!" Xavi's voice hardened. The boy stepped forward slowly.
"Why did you do that?"
"Papa…" Adris whispered. "He—he called my mama a sleeping bitch. Said she'd never wake up. He pushed me. Everyone laughed. So I… I did what I did." He lowered his head.
Silence settled. Then Xavi chuckled softly, glancing at Josephine's portrait. "You'll be punished a little," he said. "Mrs. Ruby, you already disciplined him?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ruby nodded.
"Good. Then… one hundred push-ups."
Adris blinked. "Now?"
"Now." Xavi's tone dropped cold.
The boy knelt on the floor, trembling. Tears gathered in his eyes.
"One," Xavi said calmly.
Adris pushed weakly. "Mama…" he whispered.
In the palace, far away in Noctyra, Josephine's body began to glow. The sky outside Zephyria darkened. Thunder rumbled.
"Two!" Xavi said.
Wind whipped through the windows.
"Three!" he commanded, voice firm.
Adris pushed harder, sobbing. Lightning cracked across the sky. The earth trembled. Xavi's eyes began to glow red—then suddenly, his body went still.
"Xavi!?" Xoni shouted.
His head dropped—then lifted. But his surroundings were gone.
He was in the garden again.
"XAVI!" Josephine shouted, storming toward him, her eyes blazing. "Are you nuts? One hundred push-ups!?"
Xavi blinked and rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright, alright, my angry wife. I'm sorry, truly sorry. I was just trying to discipline him a little."
Josephine folded her arms, still fuming. "A little!? He's a child!"
"Oh, my beautiful, fiery darling," Xavi said, smirking as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She pushed him away with a glare.
"Come on, sweetheart. Forgive me, please," he pleaded, kissing her cheek.
"Just don't make him cry again," she said at last, sighing.
"I promise," Xavi whispered, kissing her lips softly.
When he opened his eyes, he was back in the throne hall. The storm had cleared.
"Xavi, are you alright?" Xoni asked.
He rubbed his forehead, dazed. "Adris!"
"Yes, Papa?" Adris panted from the floor, tears streaking his face.
"Stop, son. Your mama just gave me an earful," Xavi said, half-smiling. "Next time, report them, okay?"
"Yes, Papa."
Xavi hugged him tightly. The room exhaled.
Later that evening, as everyone gathered, Princess Agana's gaze met Bernard's. He'd been watching her all day.
"You like her?" Xavi asked bluntly, stepping up beside him.
Bernard smirked. "Yeah. She's mine now."
Xavi laughed, clapping him on the back. "Then treat her right."
He turned to Agana. "I know my aunt threatened your kingdom using my name. I sent word to your father — no war will come."
Agana bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Good. Bernard here wants to take you on a date. Go."
Bernard blinked. "Xavi—"
"Go," Xavi chuckled, already walking away toward the garden.
There, under moonlight, he sat beside Josephine's sleeping body, brushing a strand of hair from her face. He kissed her forehead.
"I love you so much," he whispered, voice breaking.
Days passed quietly. Xavi sent all the visiting princesses and duchesses back to their kingdoms, warning Ardere not to send any woman his way again. Adris grew stronger each day, mastering new spells. Xavi cared for the twins with gentle precision, often reading to them by Josephine's bedside.
Every weekend, Callum, Piere, and Tess came to visit Josephine. Xavi stayed beside her most nights, whispering stories as if she could hear. On her birthday, he kissed her hand and said softly, "Happy Birthday, my sweetheart."
"Happy Birthday, Mama," Adris added.
"Happy Birthday, Josephine," the family echoed during dinner.
That same night, Eryndor pulled Queen Kendra and Celeste aside. "Celine is carrying my child," he said gravely, "and I'm marrying her next week."
"What!?" Celeste gasped. She and Seliora turned at once.
Eryndor's face was stone. "That Duke — he used to beat her. I killed him. Brutally."
Celine locked herself in her room, crying. Celeste banged on the door. "Celine! Open up!"
"No!"
Queen Kendra came forward gently. "Celine, sweetie, open the door. Let's talk."
After a pause, the door creaked open. Kendra pulled her into a hug. "It's okay, love. Don't cry."
Celeste hugged her too. "Why didn't you tell me about the Duke?"
"Because you were happy," Celine sobbed. "I didn't want to ruin that."
"Oh, you foolish girl," Celeste said softly, kissing her forehead. "And now you're pregnant."
Queen Kendra smiled faintly. "Then we have a wedding to plan."
"Two weddings," Seliora said, stepping forward. "Ours too."
Kendra chuckled. "Alright. Two weddings."
Sixteen days later, the palace shone with music and gold. Celine married Eryndor. Celeste married Seliora. There was laughter — real laughter — in the halls for the first time in a long while.
Xavi stayed quiet, tending to his twins while changing Josephine's gown to a new silk one Seika had made. Seika herself had given birth to a baby girl. Bernard and Agana had just married.
When the halls grew quiet again, Xavi sat beside Josephine and brushed her hair.
"I love you so much," he whispered. "I promise to keep our children safe and happy. To keep every promise I ever made to you."
He kissed her hand. "I am King Xavi Roman — the coldest man, the ruthless, cold-hearted King of Noctyra. And I will always keep Zephyria safe… for you."
He covered her gently with the blanket, looked at her sleeping face one last time, and left the room as the moonlight fell over her — soft, loyal, eternal.