By sunrise, Kael stirred awake.
Warm light washed across the room, revealing Beline's bare body curled beside him. Her cheeks were flushed pink, glowing softly against the sheets. Kael stared at her for a long moment, the memories of last night replaying vividly in his mind. A small smile tugged at his lips.
He brushed his fingers over her red cheeks gently before slipping out of bed. Quietly, he dressed and opened the door—
—only to bump straight into Xavi.
Xavi's eyebrows shot up immediately when he saw Beline wrapped in Kael's blankets on Kael's bed.
"Seriously, Kael!?" Xavi blurted.
"Shhhh!" Kael hissed, shutting the door behind him.
"You… slept with her?" Xavi asked, baffled.
"Yeah. I did," Kael said with zero shame. "And I loved it. She loves me too. And her daughter—Aira—is mine now."
Xavi stared at his younger brother, exhaled deeply, and rubbed his face.
"Kael… Mom invited Princess Ava and her family today. It's for a marriage proposal."
Kael's eyes darkened. A mischievous smirk curved his lips.
"Oh no…" Xavi muttered internally.
THE ROYAL MORNING
At breakfast, Josephine sat with a flushed, red nose. She had fallen sick from the continuous royal and physical stress.
Xavi spoon-fed her hot soup lovingly. Their children—Adris, Orion, and Opehlia—kissed her cheeks while Xoni, Amory, and Darius leaned in.
"So—remember what we taught you, hm, Lila?" Xoni said.
"Yes!" Opehlia chirped.
"Kick butts. No bullies," Amory added.
"No bullies! And protect my Ron," Opehlia said proudly.
"Good girl," they said together.
Xavi chuckled. Josephine kissed three of her kids on their foreheads.
"BYE MAMA! BYE PAPA!" the twins shouted as the carriages left for school—their very first day.
Josephine waved sadly, but Xavi wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her cheek.
"Don't worry, my love. They'll be fine."
KAEL, BELINE & THE CHILD HE CLAIMS
Kael carried Aira, who was half-asleep with her teddy clutched to her chest. Beline walked up to them in her uniform.
"Hi Mommy!" Aira said tiredly.
"Hey, love," Kael said, kissing her forehead.
"Kael… you need to stop this. Your marriage is getting fixed today," Beline whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "I beg you."
Kael only chuckled, grabbed her by the waist, and kissed her lips.
Darius, Xoni, and Severin witnessed everything.
"Tf!?" Severin whispered.
Kael leaned close to Beline's ear.
"Wait and watch how I will make you mine. You and Aira. You'll be the one to come to me."
He kissed her ear lightly.
"You'll beg for more."
Aira giggled loudly as Kael tickled her.
"What is he going to do?" Darius asked.
"Let's see…" Xoni replied as Kael ran off, playing with Aira across the garden.
THE QUEEN FALLS ASLEEP
Josephine sneezed silently and wiped her nose.
The older kids were gone to school; the newborns stayed home.
Queen Oliyda had already prepared lunch for the arriving guests.
Xavi fed Josephine more hot soup. She kissed his nose softly.
Thank you, my king… she thought.
Of course, my queen, Xavi replied—out loud—before yawning.
Within minutes, husband and wife fell asleep together at 10:45 a.m.
THE GUESTS ARRIVE
Queen Kendra sat with Yora and Ardera in Josephine's hall sipping tea.
"When are the kids arriving?" Queen Kendra asked.
"Tomorrow, Mom," Ardera replied.
"Good."
Ardera, now widowed, had lost her husband in the war fought beside her brother, the late King Roman.
Soon, several carriages approached. Arriving were:
King Trov — King of Orphen, a dark wizard
Queen Cruor — a siren
Their children:
Princess Ave — half witch, half siren
Prince Shelley — full wizard
Prince Arch — half wizard, half siren
Princess Arv — dark witch
Queen Oliyda welcomed them into the throne room.
KAEL'S PREPARATION… AND HIS DEFIANCE
Kael gently rocked Aira to sleep, kissing her forehead before tucking her in on his bed with the teddy bear he bought for her.
He changed into a dark brown shirt, black pants, and shoes—three buttons undone.
Beline opened the door and froze, cheeks bright red. She walked over and buttoned the open part of his shirt.
"You're about to be betrothed… you need to look good and impressive, Prince Kael."
Kael chuckled, leaned down, and murmured:
"I only look good for you."
He lifted her and kissed her deeply—gentle yet rough—until Xoni knocked on the door.
"Kael, Mom is calling you."
He groaned against Beline's neck.
"Coming…"
Beline stepped back, breathing hard.
"This isn't over," Kael said, licking his lips before leaving.
Xoni peeked inside.
"Is the little girl okay?"
"Yeah. My daughter is fine. She's sleeping."
"…Daughter?" Xoni echoed, confused, following him downstairs.
THE ROYAL PROPOSAL MEETS A BRICK WALL
Xavi woke with a groan. Josephine's temperature had gone slightly down. Sienna had taken her blood and urine samples to find the cause.
Xavi dragged himself to his throne, exhausted and only wanting to return to bed with his wife—but he was the King.
Kael joined the dining table.
Princess Ava sat beside him, smiling. He nodded politely.
"Kael, my dear, I want to—" Queen Oliyda began.
"You want to fix my marriage with Ava," Kael interrupted, casually eating a shrimp.
"Y-Yes…"
"No."
Xavi nearly burst out laughing.
Ava's face dropped.
"What do you mean, no?"
"Ms. Ava, I'm sure someone better is out there for you. I'm not that person."
"Kael!" Oliyda gasped.
"I don't like arranged marriages, Mom. I've already chosen my bride. And her daughter is mine. I will not marry someone I don't love—it hurts both people."
Right then Aira waddled in, rubbing her eyes and holding her teddy.
"M-M-Mr. K…"
Kael scooped her up immediately.
He took her straight to his room, where Beline was sleeping on his study chair. He locked the door behind them.
AFTER THE EXPLOSION
Xavi ate silently. Queen Oliyda sighed heavily.
"What has gotten into your little brother?"
"He told you, Mother. And you still called them."
Xavi turned to King Trov.
"My sincere apologies for my brother."
"No problem, Your Highness," Trov said, a kind father and honorable King.
Soon, school carriages returned. The children rushed in.
"How was first day of school today?" Xavi asked.
"It was great, Your Majesty!" they chorused before running to their parents.
Orion held Opehlia's hand shyly.
"How was school, my loves?" Xavi asked, kissing their foreheads and hugging Adris.
"It was fine, Papa!" Opehlia said.
"Ron?" Xavi called.
"Sc-s-school was fine, Papa," Orion whispered.
Sienna entered with results in hand.
"Congratulations, Your Highness," she said.
Xavi already knew—and his smile was huge.
"Thank you," he said, paying her 70 million gold coins.
Adris grinned knowingly.
Xavi only waited for Josephine to wake up.