Ash's carriage arrived at Zephyria. He stepped down slowly, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before him.
"Wow….." Ash said, staring at Josephine's castle.
"Yeah. This is Zephyria," Kestera said. "King Adris' mother's kingdom. She rules this land—more powerful than Adris' father ever was."
"Let's go in," Kestera said again.
They entered the castle, and Ash froze.
It was even more beautiful inside. The air itself felt alive. A powerful aura pressed against his chest, something he had never felt before.
"Woah…." Ash whispered as his eyes landed on the Throne of Zephyria, glowing with ancient power.
At the grand table, all the women sat together, making lists—foods, clothes, decorations, and other things needed for the family picnic. The toddlers and babies were in the pool and garden, laughing and splashing under watchful eyes.
The men sat together, discussing business and kingdom matters.
Yora's wedding with Morzael was officially set for Saturday.
Zelith, Eryxa, Nyxelle, and Vireya sat with Caldrik as the royal designer took their measurements. They chose their designs one by one, fabrics flowing, colors shimmering.
Morzael was in the garden with Yora. They lay close to each other, hidden from sight. Yora picked up a piece of pineapple and fed him.
"It's sweet," Morzael said with a smirk, "but maybe you'll be sweeter than this."
Yora's face turned red. She blushed and covered her face.
He leaned closer, sitting beside her, gently lifting her chin. He kissed her deeply.
"You know… nobody is watching. We can—" he murmured.
She gasped and smacked his arm lightly.
"Pretty Mama!!" Nyxelle shouted, running toward them with Caldrik.
She opened her arms, and both Morzael and Yora pulled her into a hug.
"Hi, my lovelies," Yora said, kissing both their cheeks.
The girls sat together and had a small mini picnic right there in the garden.
Meanwhile, Wanda stood with her mother, Leela.
Leela looked at her calmly. "You've been sleeping with Solyn?"
Wanda froze.
Leela wasn't angry. Not upset. Just calm.
"I have no problem, honestly," Leela continued. "Same as Ardera. As long as you're happy, it's fine. You should have told me sooner."
Wanda nodded quietly.
Ash wandered the castle, searching.
Karesse.
Her room was on the third floor. Josephine's castle had over six thousand rooms, eight kitchens, nine halls, and a vast, breathtaking garden at the back.
Xavi sat nearby, braiding Novara's hair carefully. He placed a blue rose into it.
"Thank you, Papa!" Novara said, kissing his cheek.
Xavi smiled and hugged her.
Josephine smiled at her boys as they giggled at her. She laughed silently in her mind.
Xavi heard it.
Ash finally found Karesse. She was sitting near a glass window, tears on her cheeks.
"K…?" Ash whispered.
She looked up.
"My sweetheart," Ash said as he rushed to her, cupping her face and kissing her deeply.
Karesse's eyes closed. She had missed him. She still loved him after all these years.
They hugged tightly.
She gave him water.
"I cut ties with them," Ash said. "I don't want to be with them ever again."
Karesse held his hands. He kissed her forehead.
Ash took her hand, and they went to take a bath together, finally alone Ash rubbed her back gently as she kissed him deeply both hands cupped his face as Ash slip two fingers inside her wet pussy fingering her she moan inside his mouth softly as he lifted her up and took his large cock slammed inside her she moan with pain it was her first time he went slow making sure that the pain goes quickly blood dripping from his cock he went faster he groan in her neck as they kissed while the water poured on their body.
Meanwhile, in Josephine's room, Xavi's soft moans filled the space as he and Josephine spent time together, reconnecting in silence and closeness she was sucking his dick he packed his hair into a ponytail That my girl take it he said and he thrust inside her mouth as she used both hands to rub his balls and suck him good as Xavi legs shake he finally Cun inside her mouth she swallowed him Xavi kissed her forehead.
Elsewhere, Adris slept in Carliet's arms. Both were wrapped in green sheets, cuddling peacefully.
Two days later, everything was set.
Everyone gathered items for the grand family picnic.
Josephine sat on her throne, changing the twins' diapers calmly, gracefully. Everyone watched her—especially the group, recording every detail for their project.
Seliora, Aradia, Minote, and Eryndor took their positions beside the throne—two on the left, two on the right.
Their true forms emerged.
Seliora's body turned blue.
Aradia's form mixed black and white.
Minote's face transformed into a demon bull.
Eryndor's body turned red, marked with fire.
Velara held Ryxen tightly.
"Mommy… what happened to Papa?" Threx asked softly.
"Nothing, baby. He's fine," Velara said gently.
Kara stepped forward.
Blaze lifted an orb and took pictures as the guardians began chanting.
The Black Ascension Chant
Hush… hush the living
Hush the sky
Blood remembers her name
Chosen…
From the womb of grief she came
From the grave of joy she endured
From silence deeper than death she ruled
Chosen by loss
Chosen by ruin
Chosen by the cries of sons stolen by fate
Josephine…
Throne of bone
Crown of sorrow
Mother of kings unborn and broken
Kneel—kneel earth and flesh
For the Silent Queen does not beg
Her voice was taken
So the heavens must scream
Chosen…
Chains shatter
Light bleeds
The sky splits open
Rise her body
Unbind her soul
Let gravity remember fear
Josephine ascends
Not forgiven
Not forgotten
Not merciful
Chosen by shadow
Chosen by fire
Chosen until the world ends
Ascend, Silent Queen
Let the throne follow
Chosen…
Chosen…
Chosen…
Novara looked at her mother.
Nova stepped forward.
Novara step forward Eryndor said
Novara looked at her father with fear in her eyes.
Xavi kissed her forehead. "It's fine. Go, love."
Holding her teddy bear, Novara stepped forward.
Josephine opened her eyes. They were white.
She lifted Novara onto her lap.
Outside, the sky darkened. Thunder struck. Black rain poured—just like the day Josephine became Queen.
Josephine took Novara outside with Bluey Roar and Elandra.
Novara's eyes glowed dark purple.
"Papa….." she whispered, scared.
Xavi swallowed hard. "Kara… what's happening?" Oliver asked.
"Novara is becoming the Grand Crown Princess of Zephyria," Kara said. "And the next Queen."
A small black-and-golden crown descended from the sky and landed gently on Novara's head.
Carliet gripped Adris' arm.
Xavi wiped his tears.
Orion and Ophelia smiled proudly as the group wrote everything down and took pictures.
Novara's body glowed so brightly everyone covered their eyes. Her clothes transformed into a little black gown.
ALL HAIL THE GRAND PRINCESS OF ZEPHYRIA!
ALL HAIL PRINCESS NOVARA!
"HAIL!" the guardians echoed.
Basil smiled.
Adris leaned toward him. "For days now, you've been looking at Nova like you're falling in love with her."
"N-no, Your Highness… just a nice moment," Basil said.
Adris smacked his head lightly. "Just wait for her to grow. She'll be yours."
Basil nodded.
Josephine and Novara returned. Josephine kissed Novara's forehead.
Novara giggled.
Bluey Roar roared happily as Novara waddled toward him.
"Nova is a princess and Bluey is Princess Bluey!!!" Novara said.
Xavi hugged her tightly. "Papa is proud of you. Be a great and good Queen, okay?"
"Yes, Papa," Novara said.