A month and two weeks passed, and Josephine's belly had grown beautifully round. Her glow was unmistakable — soft, warm, and radiant. These days she slept often, her appetite growing each day. She would nibble at anything her cravings desired, and no one dared stop her.
Assia entered the dining hall that morning with a scroll in hand. Her wife, Lyra, was also pregnant — their home now filled with the scent of soups, fruits, and sweet bread. Josephine sat at the long dining table, feeding little Adris spoonfuls of porridge, her laughter blending with the gentle hum of conversation from around the room.
The palace felt peaceful… at least for now.
Elsewhere, love bloomed in shadows.
Maelkor and Melantha had been seeing each other in secret. Though Maelkor tried his best to resist her, she was too beautiful — too intoxicating. Each night, she found herself sneaking out of the castle, her hood pulled low, her heart racing.
This night was no different.
It was 10:45 p.m., and the moon hung full and silver in the sky.
Josephine and Adris were fast asleep when Kael, Xavi, Xoni, Darius, and Severin spotted Melantha slipping out through the side gates, her cloak fluttering behind her.
The brothers exchanged looks — curious, suspicious, yet slightly amused.
"Let's follow her," Xoni whispered.
They moved in silence, their footsteps blending with the night.
Melantha walked briskly through the moonlit path until Maelkor's dark crystal castle appeared before her. She hesitated at the doors before pushing them open quietly.
Inside, Maelkor hovered in midair, meditating, his aura calm and glowing faintly blue.
"Melantha," he said, his eyes still closed, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Hi," she replied softly, her voice tender, sweet as honey. She sat down gracefully, crossing her legs as she watched him descend.
He opened his eyes and smiled, walking toward her. "What's up with you today?"
"Well, honestly… nothing much," she said with a small chuckle. "Just the same old day."
He laughed, deep and warm, and the sound filled the hall.
Outside, hidden by the tall windows, her brothers crouched behind the glass, peering in.
"So she comes here every night just to keep him company?" Xoni whispered.
"Yep," Severin murmured back, smirking.
Maelkor turned his gaze back to Melantha, his expression softening. "You're so beautiful," he mumbled under his breath.
He extended his hand. "Come with me."
She placed her hand in his, and he led her toward the massive crystal window where the full moon illuminated the entire room.
"It's pretty," she whispered, eyes fixed on the glowing orb.
"Like you," he said, his voice low.
She blushed, glancing away shyly. But his gaze pulled her back until their eyes met again — and time seemed to stop.
Kael's eyes widened. Xavi slapped his hand over Kael's mouth to stop him from gasping too loud.
Maelkor leaned closer, his breath brushing against Melantha's lips. "May I?" he asked, his tone deep and careful.
She looked at him, her cheeks aflame. "You may," she breathed.
He tilted her chin up and kissed her — slow, passionate, and desperate, like a man who had been waiting a lifetime.
Kael's muffled gasp broke through as the brothers nearly fell over each other outside the window.
When they pulled apart, Maelkor rested his forehead against hers, eyes soft. Then, suddenly, he sank to one knee.
"Will you relieve me from my loneliness?" he whispered, pulling a small diamond ring from his cloak. "Will you be my bride… my wife?"
Melantha's hand flew to her lips. Tears shimmered in her eyes. Then she bent down and kissed him.
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I will."
He slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her hand reverently, his smile radiant in the moonlight.
By 2:36 a.m., Melantha crept back into the castle, her feet tiptoeing on the marble floor.
"Where are you coming from by this time, huh?" Xavi's voice came suddenly from the dark hallway.
Melantha froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Her eyes darted to the side — and there they were. All five brothers, standing like statues, arms folded.
"Uhmm… I went for a walk," she stammered.
"A walk? By this time?" Xoni said suspiciously.
"Y…yeah. Can't I take a late-night walk?" she said, nervously playing with her hair.
Darius narrowed his eyes. "That's a pretty ring. Where did you get it?"
Melantha swallowed hard. "This? Oh, this is… one of my rings."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "But you don't wear rings."
"Uhmm—Goodnight!" she blurted and ran off as fast as she could.
They all burst into laughter, watching her flee down the hallway, her robe fluttering behind her.
The next morning, sunlight poured into the dining room. Despite Xavi's repeated pleas for her to rest, Josephine insisted on cooking breakfast herself. The smell of warm bread and cinnamon filled the air.
"Josephine, I told you to rest!" Xavi scolded lightly.
"If you dare raise your voice at her, you'll be punished," Queen Kendra warned, sipping her tea.
"But she needs rest, Mother," Xavi said, frowning.
Adris giggled, clapping his little hands. "Papa, you're a scary cat!"
The table erupted in laughter.
Moments later, Melantha appeared, yawning, still in her pajamas — and the ring glittered unmistakably on her finger.
"Are you alright, love?" Queen Oliyda asked, rubbing her daughter's hair.
"Mhmhmhm…" Melantha mumbled sleepily, eyes half-closed.
Kael glanced at her slyly. "So, Melantha, the Duke of Obsidoria wants to meet you for your hand."
Melantha's eyes flew open. "What!?"
"He said he really admires you," Kael added with a grin.
Xoni chuckled, rubbing Anesthesia's growing bump.
Melantha slammed her hands on the table. "Well, you can tell that fool this — I'm not marrying him! I already have someone else who proposed. Get that into his thick head!"
The entire family froze.
Queen Oliyda gasped, covering her mouth. "What!?"
Melantha's eyes widened as realization hit her — she'd said it aloud.
Xavi folded his arms, smirking. "We know. We followed you yesterday. All five of us."
Melantha's face turned crimson.
"King Maelkor gave her a ring last night," Xavi continued. "She's been secretly meeting him."
Melantha buried her face in her hands.
At that exact moment, Maelkor entered the dining room, composed as ever.
Josephine's face lit up, clapping her hands in delight.
"King Xavi, may I have a moment?" Maelkor asked politely.
"No need," Xavi replied. "We all know. Come here."
Maelkor approached the table, standing tall yet humble. He turned toward Xavi and the family. "Then allow me to speak plainly. May I have your sister's hand in marriage?"
"Yes," Xavi said immediately.
"Huh!?" Queen Oliyda and Kael exclaimed together.
"Yes, he can," Xavi said firmly, smiling. "They both love each other. So, yes."
Josephine beamed with joy as she fed Adris. "That's wonderful," she whispered in her mind.
"Thank you," Maelkor said, bowing slightly.
Days passed, and Josephine's bump grew even larger. Her emotions were all over the place. Sometimes she laughed for no reason; other times, she'd burst into tears over the smallest thing.
One afternoon, she handed Xavi a piece of paper.
It read: I want banana orange chicken flavor ice cream please.
Xavi blinked. "Huh!? Baby, this doesn't exist! Only banana and orange, love."
Josephine's lips trembled. Her eyes welled up with tears.
"Oh no…" Xavi murmured.
"Uh-oh," Adris said softly. "Not again."
Xavi rushed to her side. "Okay, okay, sweetheart. I'll go get it right now, alright?"
Josephine sniffled and nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the kingdom, Tess was crying too.
"But baby, they didn't have green lemons," Noah said helplessly, rubbing her bump.
"But I want it!" Tess sobbed harder.
"Alright, alright. I'll find it, my love," Noah said, kissing her forehead.
Callum gently patted Nyx's back as she slept, his hand resting protectively on her belly.
Nearby, Piere and Raden were also expecting — their own unique situation bringing laughter to the castle halls.
"I want the milkshake, please," Piere said softly, rubbing his bump.
"Yes, my sweetie," Raden said tenderly, kissing his temple.
The palace was filled with love, cravings, and chaos — the kind only expectant hearts could bring.