Kael would’ve loved spending at least a whole week mating with Sisi. After all, he had infinite stamina, and his swimmers were very eager to find their way to breed his fated mate.

However, Sisi was the one who warned him not to go overboard, because Kael still had the kingdom to manage after the war, and she also needed to check on Jojo, since last night was the first time Jojo was sleeping alone.

If Sisi was correct with her prediction, Jojo must’ve been sulking for the whole night. It’d be incredible if the boy managed to get some sleep.

Thus, Kael reluctantly brought Sisi back to the Queen’s courtyard in the morning and then left for the throne room for another morning court. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Just as expected, the moment Sisi entered the main chamber, Jojo was still sleeping on the bed. Judging from his sleeping position and the mess on the bed, he must’ve been sulking while tossing and turning the whole time.

Sisi didn’t want to disturb the boy’s sleep. So she simply sat at the edge of the bed and then helped to fix Jojo’s sleeping position, lest he would get a headache once he woke up.

However, Jojo’s nose was really sensitive, especially when smelling Sisi.

Thus, the moment Sisi lifted his body, he opened his eyes immediately. The boy’s golden eyes had a bit of red around the edges, showing that he really did stay up until late.

However, the moment Jojo saw his mother, he threw himself at her and hugged her tight, "Mommy!"

Sisi hugged him back and patted the back of his head, "It’s okay if you want to sleep more, Jojo. I know you’re still tired."

However, Jojo refused to sleep once he saw his mother again. He hugged her tighter and asked, "Mommy, will you leave me alone?"

Sisi’s heart skipped a beat. Her body stiffened for a split second before feigning her obliviousness, "What are you talking about? Leave you alone?"

"Un... Tutu asked me what should I do if you want to leave me forever. I said that Jojo will follow!" Jojo declared. "Jojo will always follow you, Mommy!"

Sisi glanced at the flower pot on the windowsill, and realized that Tutu was nowhere to be seen, probably not wanting to face her darling’s anger for what she said to the boy before.

But Sisi also realized that it might be the right time to slowly tell Jojo about it. Her heart was aching whenever she imagined herself leaving Jojo alone. After all, the boy had imprinted on her as his mother, and Sisi also saw Jojo as her own son.

But she already made the promise to Grandma Tree, and on top of that, the water from Origin Spring had completely gotten rid of all side effects of being a Dawn Star.

Jojo regained his sight. He wouldn’t grow up in so much pain like Kael, and in the future, he would be able to live a ’normal’ life, at least as normal as it could be for a cursed being like him.

Sisi had given up her divinity and her immortality just to make sure that Jojo would have a good life, and she thought that it should be enough to compensate Jojo for their separation.

Or so she thought.

Seeing Jojo like this made Sisi realize that even she didn’t want to get separated from the boy.

’Oh, Grandma, am I making a mistake by giving up my divinity and immortality for Jojo’s safety?’ Sisi asked herself and her grandmother. Though she got no answer from Grandma Tree. ’What should I do once I leave? Could Jojo even forget about me?’

...

Sisi already knew the answer, of course. She was just unable to face the truth.

"Jojo, you know that you are a wolf, right?" Sisi mentioned while ruffling Jojo’s furry wolf ears. "You are very strong now, and all strong wolves would have to leave their mommy’s den and embark on their own journey. That also includes you, Jojo."

"But I don’t want to leave!" Jojo whimpered. "I want to be with Mommy! I will grow big and strong, and still be with Mommy!"

Sisi knew there was nothing else she could do right now except calm the boy.

Jojo continued to sob for a while until he fell asleep in Sisi’s embrace.

Sisi made sure that Jojo was fast asleep before caressing his hair, "What should I do with you, Jojo? I... I’ve sacrificed my divinity, immortality, and my time with you to guarantee a good life for you in the future, so you don’t have to suffer the same as your father."

"But without me by your side, will you be able to live a normal life?"

Sisi blamed herself for being stubborn back then. She knew the risk, but taking care of blind Jojo every day was too much for her heart.

She couldn’t endure having to see the boy grow up being completely blind. Thus, her excessive worry for Jojo’s future clouded her judgment, and she agreed to exchange everything for Jojo’s future.

Did she regret it?

Not at all.

That was the best choice she could ever make back then.

But she regretted not thinking about Jojo’s opinion, because she thought that Jojo was still young, and surely he wouldn’t remember her once she left his life entirely.

But she was wrong.

Crush Tutu finally sneaked into the main chamber again and flew around her darling.

"Darling, what should we do with Jojo? He was crying the whole night because I asked him about what if you leave him forever."

Sisi knew that Tutu wanted to make sure that Jojo was well prepared for the eventual departure, because they only had twenty-four days until then.

Sisi sighed, "It’s not your fault, Tutu. I should be the one telling him about this.

"I’ll try to warm him up over the twenty-four days I have left here. He’ll be five by the time I leave, and I want him to understand that I love him so much, but he... he has to be strong once I’m gone."