Everyone was eating as Adris and Carliet sat down, eating at the dinner table.
"Adris, where were you this morning? I have been looking for you," Xavi said.
"I… uhmm… went for a walk, Dad, early this morning," he said while looking at Carliet, who quickly looked away.
Josephine was sad. She couldn't eat anything. Last night the boys were crying hard; she couldn't sing them a lullaby or talk to them. She stood up and went back to the room to force herself to sleep.
"Dad, what's wrong with Mama?" Adris said as Xavi told him what happened.
"I wish she could talk. Maybe she wouldn't feel this sad," Adris said. It hurt; she felt so sad.
Xavi said in a low tone as Adris patted his back.
Kol told Adris he had guests, and Adris nodded. He looked at Novara sleeping with Bluey. He lifted them both and placed them in his throne room. He kissed her forehead and covered her up as he sat on his throne. Everyone bowed to him.
His guests were four kingdoms.
The King of Eldravax, King Kaiven, half siren, half demon, and his sister, Princess Velora, a demon witch. Queen Morenya, a mermaid, with her children—they were four: Solyxis, half mermaid, half vampire, and Vaedon, half mermaid, half vampire; Xelric, vampire; Varnyx, mermaid. King Maldrin, a dark wizard. And King Aexil, dark elf, with his two sisters—Princess Azmira, half elf, half witch, and Princess Zhalora, witch—all sitting as Adris sat on his throne.
Adris's kingdom was the third most powerful and fearful kingdom. He ruled with an iron fist, changed all the stupid rules, and reshaped the kingdom. They all bowed to him.
Kaelric and Vaedor were giggling at Josephine. She smiled tirelessly at them.
"Baby, come on, let's put you to sleep," Xavi said as she cuddled up with him.
"Ron," Xavi said.
"On it, papa," Orion said as he took both boys. Xavi's eyes glowed dark red. He whispered a sleeping spell on her; she immediately fell asleep holding him. She needed that sleep. Xavi covered her and closed the doors. She would wake up tomorrow morning.
Xavi sat as he and Cauis watched King Adris working.
"He is just like you," Cauis said.
Xavi chuckled. "Nah, he's like his mother," he said.
"How is she now?" Cauis said.
"I casted a sleeping spell on her. She needs sleep. I will take care of Nova and the boys," Xavi said, looking at his sleeping daughter with Bluey the tiger.
Adris rubbed his eyes as Princess Velora kept looking at him.
"Brother, he is so handsome," she said to King Kaiven.
"Then talk to him," he said to her.
She went closer to Adris. "Uhmm, King Adris, are you single?" Velora said.
"No, I am married," Adris said as she moved back and groaned.
King Kaiven laughed at her. "Who is your wife?" Queen Morenya said as Adris pointed at Carliet, who was holding Reina and Orlyn, changing them—and the other toddlers too.
"Wow, she is beautiful," Princess Azmira said, and the mumbling followed in agreement.
Adris smiled at Carliet as she giggled at Reina's funny movements. All the toddlers with Carliet giggled with her.
By noon—Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Queen Kendra and Queen Lenora said happily.
Adris laughed. "Sure," he said.
"King Adris, one moment," Kol said as he pulled him aside.
"Yeah?" Adris said as Kol whispered in his ear.
"The elders know about your blood marriage, but Elder Zayvik said they don't accept it and that you must marry who the council chooses," Kol said. "I hate to break it to you, but they chose the princess of Solmourn Kingdom."
"No!" Adris said as Xavi and Cauis looked at him.
"Adris, your mama is sleeping," Xavi said while patting Kaelric as the baby boy looked at Xavi, his tiny mouth and tongue sticking out.
"That fucker wants me to marry a brattish bitch," Adris said.
Carliet looked at him; her heart broke. She quickly looked away as Iskell crawled to her, blabbing. She held him and played with him.
Adris grinned harder. "Idea," he said as he whispered into Kol's ear. Kol grinned too, and they shook each other's hands and laughed loudly.
In the morning, everyone was eating. Josephine had slept for the whole day yesterday.
"How are you feeling, darling?" Xavi said.
She finally gave a happy smile after months of mental and physical stress. Xavi kissed her deeply.
"Good morning, Mama," Novara said. Josephine kissed her cheeks.
Yora was feeding Caldrik as Morzael entered with his daughters.
"Mama, do you know Grandpa, Uncle Roman, and Papa? We have a big house—nice house," Caldrik said while tapping her chest.
"How is Papa?" Yora said.
"He always watches you, Mama. He follows you. He sleeps beside you, and sometimes he's lonely. When I saw him, he was shocked. The way you screamed broke him. Papa begged the angels to send me back, but my body was…" Caldrik said.
"Shhhhh," Yora said. "I missed you a lot. I love your Papa so much, and I miss him too," Yora said, hugging him tightly as her tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I love you, Mama," he said.
"I love you too," Yora said with tears as Morzael watched them with his daughters.
"Pretty Mama?" Nyxelle said.
"Yes, love," Yora said while wiping her tears.
"Are you okay?" Morzael said, and she nodded.
"Well, we wanna dress up," Vireya said. "We got matching suits for Caldrik and Dad. Zelith for the party."
"Really!?" Caldrik said.
"Yes, my little baby bug," Eryxa said as she kissed his cheeks.
"Yay!" he said as they carried him and ran off to change, leaving Yora and Morzael together.
"I—" they both said at the same time. He chuckled. Yora looked away. He moved closer and cupped her face, making her look at him. They couldn't hold it anymore as they kissed deeply, wrapped around each other. Her fingers ran through his hair and chest. He lifted her up and locked the door.
"Mmhmhm," he said while kissing her.
Meanwhile, in Adris's room, he sat as the party was going on. He wore his shoes. Carliet knocked on his door.
"Come in, sweetheart," Adris said as she entered. "Come help me dress, love," Adris said, looking at her like a sin he was about to commit. She nodded shyly and moved closer, buttoning his shirt. She didn't look at him, but he looked at her carefully. She finished his buttons and put on his suit. He smiled at her.
"Wear this for me, love," Adris said.
"B… b… but people will look at me and… I will feel…" Carliet said.
"It's fine, baby. Here," he said, giving her another gown.
"T… thank you," she whispered.
"Anything for you, my sweet love," Adris said as he kissed her. "Get ready, baby," he said, hugging her.
"Adris…" she said.
"Yes, sweetheart?" he said.
"I love you very much," she said.
Adris's heart melted. "I love you sooo much," he said, hugging her as she smiled at him.
He left as the makeup artist and hairdresser were now all over her, dressing her under King Adris's orders.