The next morning, Joseph awoke to find Yoshi already dressed and ready for the day.

"I hope you slept well?" Yoshi asked, noticing Joseph stirring.

"Yeah, I did. What's with the new look?" Joseph asked, intrigued by Yoshi's formal attire.

"I've got a council meeting. Wanna tag along?" Yoshi offered with a friendly smile.

"Nah, thanks, but I'll pass," Joseph replied casually.

Yoshi chuckled. "Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind," he said before heading out.

After freshening up, Joseph decided to take a stroll around the kingdom to clear his mind, still preoccupied with thoughts of his last encounter with Yukio. As he explored the bustling streets and the lively marketplace, the kingdom's beauty and its unique charm became more apparent. But the serenity of his walk quickly shifted when he unexpectedly crossed paths with Yukio.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, Joseph’s heart skipped a beat. They greeted each other warmly and began walking together, engaging in light conversation. The atmosphere between them was pleasant, though the memory of their previous night lingered unspoken—until Joseph gathered the courage to bring it up.

"Hey, about last night... I'm sorry if I acted strange. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable," Joseph said sincerely, wanting to make things right.

Yukio smiled softly. "It’s nothing, really. I was worried I might have made you uncomfortable too," she replied, brushing it off lightly.

Joseph exhaled in relief and, with a playful grin, suggested, "Well, maybe we could start over, do it all again?"

Yukio chuckled, taking a few steps ahead of him before glancing back with a teasing smile. "Tonight! You know where to find me," she said before walking off, leaving Joseph standing with a grin of his own.

**This time, I won’t screw things up**, Joseph vowed silently, his heart light with the prospect of a second chance.

As he continued to explore the marketplace, something caught his eye. A group of merchants seemed to be conducting some sort of illegal trade right under the noses of the knights and hunters on patrol, who appeared uninterested or deliberately blind to the activity.

"Wow, this place has its own way of doing things," Joseph muttered to himself as he observed the scene briefly before deciding to move on.

Though Yukio’s smile had brightened his day, Joseph couldn’t shake the feeling that not everything in the kingdom was as peaceful as it seemed.

***

At the council meeting, with all members present, Yoshi addressed the assembly. He spoke of their upcoming departure the next day, where they would travel to aid residents in neighboring regions, who were facing devastation from rampaging monsters and supernatural forces. Yoshi informed the council that Joseph had agreed to join the quest, adding that his participation could prove both useful and adventurous.

At the mention of Joseph joining the mission, a wave of murmurs rippled through the council chamber. While some members were in favor of Joseph’s involvement, others voiced their disapproval. However, after some deliberation, the majority voted in favor of allowing Joseph to partake in the mission.

Among the council, Lyra, the kingdom's royal witch, stood and offered her assistance on the journey. She suggested that her skills and magical prowess would be beneficial to Yoshi and the others on their quest. Her proposal sparked a stir among the council members, with some voicing concern over her departure.

"As the royal witch and sworn protector of the royal family and kingdom, it is your duty to remain behind, overseeing the safety of the kingdom," one council member said gravely. "Your absence could leave our defenses vulnerable, and if the kingdom faces a powerful enemy, even our most skilled archmages, witches, shamans, and alchemists might fail in their efforts to protect us."

Lyra, with calm authority, responded, "You underestimate the kingdom’s strength. Our monarch's power far surpasses all others, and I have trained capable individuals in the magical arts to assist in my absence. Should the kingdom require aid, they will step in to protect it. I trust in their abilities."

Her confidence left little room for argument. The council grew silent as Lyra continued, "The kingdom is in good hands. I will ensure that my departure does not leave us vulnerable."

Before Yoshi could voice his concerns about Lyra’s decision to accompany them, it was clear she had already made up her mind. Though she was committed to the kingdom’s well-being, her true intentions also lay with keeping a close eye on Joseph, ensuring he didn’t stray from his purpose.

Yoshito, who had been observing the exchange, spoke up in support of her decision. Internally, he acknowledged that Yoshi's softer demeanor toward Joseph could lead to lapses in judgment during the mission. Having Lyra along would allow Yoshito to maintain a vigilant watch over the situation through her.

"Very well," Yoshito said, nodding with finality. "It is settled. All preparations have been made for your departure tomorrow. The necessary warriors will accompany you, ensuring a safer journey. I have full confidence in your success."

He then added with a serious tone, "With the King and Queen absent, the protection of the entire kingdom now falls under my responsibility. The kingdom will remain secure under my watch."

With that, the meeting was brought to a close, leaving Yoshi, Lyra, and the council members to prepare for the journey ahead.

After the council meeting ended, Yoshi and Yoshito took a private walk together through the palace grounds to discuss what had been decided. Yoshi, feeling the need to clear the air, voiced his concerns.

"Brother," Yoshi began with a sigh, "I can’t help but feel you’re being overly protective lately, especially now with Joseph around."

Yoshito, walking beside him with a serious expression, remained quiet as Yoshi continued, "You still don’t trust him, do you? I’ve told you before—I have full confidence in Joseph. He won’t let us down."

Yoshito finally spoke, his voice heavy with emotion. "Your confidence is admirable, Yoshi, but I’ve sworn to protect you. I can’t just sit by and hope things will work out. Not after what happened to our other siblings in battle..."

The weight of past tragedies hung between them, and Yoshi could sense the pain in Yoshito’s voice. He placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder and spoke softly, "I understand, brother. But you can’t carry that burden alone. I’ll be fine, I promise. Focus on protecting the kingdom. You have a responsibility here too."

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As they walked, the conversation shifted to another concern Yoshi had been harboring. He hesitated before bringing it up, but he had to address it.

"Speaking of responsibilities… I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something else. During your last encounter with Ryujin, I could sense you were struggling to keep control. It worries me, Yoshito."

Yoshito stopped walking, his eyes darkening as he recalled that fateful encounter. He sighed, admitting what he had kept hidden from everyone. "You’re right. When I faced Ryujin, something inside me... it was overwhelming. I didn’t know if I could hold back. I came dangerously close to losing control, Yoshi."

Yoshi’s face softened with concern. "You know what could happen if you lose control. We can’t afford that, brother. Maybe it’s time to ask for help. The High Council could assist you in managing your power. Or perhaps Lyra should stay behind to help you. She’s the most powerful magic user we have, and she could handle anything thrown at her."

Yoshito chuckled lightly, though his eyes remained serious. "I appreciate your concern, but Lyra shouldn’t stay behind. She needs to be with you on this quest. It’s more important that she assists you, not me."

Yoshi raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought you’d want her close, given the strength she wields."

Yoshito nodded. "She is strong. More than we could’ve imagined when we were younger. But that’s exactly why she should be by your side. She’s earned her place, and she’s proven her loyalty time and again. I’m confident in her abilities, and I trust her to protect you. I’ll be fine. My duty is here, watching over the kingdom."

Yoshi smiled, realizing his brother’s stubbornness wasn’t going anywhere. "So you’re not going to let me win this one, are you?"

Yoshito chuckled and placed his hand on Yoshi’s shoulder. "Not this time."

The two brothers shared a moment of laughter, the tension between them finally easing as they made their way back into the palace. Their bond, tested by time and tragedy, remained as strong as ever.

***

Later that evening, Joseph found himself at Yukio’s doorstep, gently knocking on the door. When she answered, he was momentarily speechless, captivated by her stunning appearance. In his mind, he had envisioned her in a sheer gown that left little to the imagination, but the reality was even more enchanting. Yukio stood before him dressed simply yet elegantly, her natural beauty undeniable.

Her long, flowing hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her flawless face that glowed in the soft evening light. She was alluring, from her radiant complexion to her inviting lips and those lovely blue eyes that sparkled with an undeniable warmth. Each heartbeat seemed to resonate from her chest, further captivating Joseph.

Her figure was tantalizing, accentuated by a flat stomach and a perfectly round navel adorned with a delicate piercing. Her curves were well-defined, drawing his gaze to her hips and waist, which were complemented by a charming waist bead that caught the light. Joseph couldn’t help but notice that she wore no underwear, her smooth skin leading down to her intimate area, which was clean and impeccably groomed, a subtle line of neatly trimmed hair adding to her allure.

Her legs were equally captivating, smooth and graceful, with a beaded anklet adorning her left foot. Joseph was momentarily taken aback, his eyes widening in shock before a smirk of desire curled on his lips. Yukio’s enchanting gaze held him captive, igniting a spark of longing within him.

Joseph blinked, his mind snapping back to reality, aided by the faint sting of the Xentrocurnia prime tech orb embedded in him. The vision dissipated, leaving only Yukio, smiling warmly at him.

“Took you long enough,” she teased playfully, her voice light and inviting.

Joseph, still recovering from his wandering thoughts, returned her smile with a charming compliment. Like a true gentleman, he took her hand, and they ventured out for their date. The night was filled with laughter and quiet moments as they explored Yukio’s favorite spots around the kingdom’s outskirts. She showed him places that held special meaning for her, from serene landscapes to breathtaking views of the stars. Joseph found himself mesmerized by both the surroundings and her presence.

As the evening drew on, the two of them sat quietly, gazing up at the starlit sky. Joseph, glancing out of the corner of his eye, noticed Yukio’s hand resting near his. Without looking directly at her, he smiled softly and gently placed his hand over hers. The warmth of her skin sent a wave of comfort through him. Yukio, surprised by the touch, turned to look at Joseph. He was still smiling, his eyes focused on the stars above. A smile of her own crept onto her lips as she accepted his touch, intertwining her fingers with his as they sat in comfortable silence.

“Yukio,” Joseph said softly, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

She turned to face him, their eyes locking. In that intimate moment, Joseph's heart swelled with emotion. He confessed everything to her—his feelings, his admiration, how much he cherished this time they had spent together. With each word, his love for her became more and more evident. Yukio, listening quietly, was touched by his vulnerability. She silenced him gently, pressing her lips to his in an affectionate kiss, a gesture that spoke louder than any words could.

As the night came to a close, Joseph walked Yukio home. When they reached her door, there was a pause—both of them unsure of how to end such a perfect evening. Yukio, sensing the moment shouldn’t end there, invited him inside. What began as a quiet, tender exchange soon became something more. They shared a romantic moment that deepened their connection, leading to them making love for the first time, lost in each other’s arms.

In the peaceful aftermath of their love-making, they drifted off to sleep together, content and wrapped in each other’s warmth. Unbeknownst to Yukio, that night would mark a significant turning point in both of their lives—she had become pregnant during their first intimate encounter, setting into motion future events that would change everything.

***

The next day, before the first light of dawn broke, Joseph quietly slipped away, leaving behind a note for Yukio. In it, he detailed their previous conversation following their intimate moments, expressing how much he cherished every second they had spent together. He informed her that he would be accompanying Prince Yoshi on a quest to aid other residents facing crises. Joseph also shared his hopes and dreams for their future, assuring her that he would return.

As Yukio read the note, a wave of satisfaction washed over her, countering the feeling of abandonment. She held the letter close to her chest, a renewed sense of understanding filling her heart.

"Please be safe, my love!" she whispered to herself, vowing to patiently await his return from the quest. In such a short time, their love had deepened and evolved, grounded in trust and mutual understanding.

***

As Joseph arrived at the palace just in the nick of time, he found a few warriors well-prepared for their journey. He soon ran into Yoshi, who informed him that it was time to depart. Yoshi had specifically prepared an outfit for Joseph, which he gratefully accepted as Yoshi helped him put it on.

Stepping outside, they saw that their horses and carriages were ready, with the other travelers lined up to join them. Among them was Lyra, who was already mounted on a majestic white horse, waiting for Yoshi and Joseph.

Before they left, Xiao Xiao approached Joseph, eager to give him his Xentrocurnia prime tech orb, believing it might come in handy on their quest. She explained that since his abilities were still sealed away, it would be wise for him to have the orb with him. However, Joseph kindly declined her offer, revealing that he already had a piece of the orb embedded within him.

Xiao Xiao was taken aback by the revelation as Joseph apologized for not informing her sooner. She reassured him that it was fine, and then Joseph demonstrated the orb’s capabilities. After taking the orb from her, he extracted the one from his own body and, with a voice command, split both orbs into four parts. Handing her half, he retained the other. He sent a portion of his orb into the Xentrocurnia prime tech orb’s pocket dimension—accessible to both of them—and scattered the remaining half into fragments. Some fragments hovered in the air before turning invisible, while others drifted into space to serve as monitoring satellites for the kingdom. The remaining invisible fragments hovered in the air, prepared for miscellaneous purposes.

"Consider it our little secret," he said, giving Xiao Xiao a wink. She smiled, marveling at the technology before making it her primary focus.

"If you want to know more about its capabilities—anything at all—it's all yours to command. It will help you understand what I just did," he added. Xiao Xiao nodded, beginning to grasp the orb’s potential before saying her farewell.

Once mounted on their horses, Yoshi gathered everyone for a brief pep talk, encouraging his comrades for the journey ahead. As Joseph turned to take one last look at the palace, he spotted Yukio waving at him from a window, her warm smile lighting up his heart. He nodded back at her, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

"Already feeling nostalgic about the kingdom?" Yoshi teased, chuckling at Joseph's lingering gaze.

"Yeah! Something like that," Joseph replied with a grin, feeling a mixture of excitement and longing as they set off on their adventure.