Chapter 2

Moments later, a company of the High Guard approached with grim expressions.

Before their commander could reach my nine sisters, Seravelle spoke bitterly.

“You still have time to apologize to Corvin before we use the Mirror of True Forms on you. Otherwise, when it reveals what you really are, I’ll strip you of your powers and banish you to the mortal world.”

When I recognized Brannoc, the God of War, leading them, I could only marvel at Seravelle’s stupidity.

Brannoc was one of the few true friends I had in the High Realm.

In the original timeline, when my nine sisters tormented me, Brannoc never once wavered in his support.

When he learned of my death, he wept as he laid me to rest. Then, he reversed the flow of the Starfall River and sent its waters crashing through my sisters’ palace.

I would not let my best friend mourn me again.

“Good to see you again, Brannoc,” I said with a smile.

At the sound of my voice, he hesitated before his expression darkened. “You insolent creature, how dare you address me by name?”

Seravelle demanded, “Use the mirror, Brannoc! This creature is posing as the Divine Heir. Show everyone what he really is!”

Brannoc nodded and raised the Mirror of True Forms. In its reflection, I watched myself transform into a scrawny sparrow with a lame leg.

My mind went completely blank.

How was that possible?

Elvarra watched with open amusement before letting out a scornful laugh.

“All that talk about being the rightful heir, and the mirror reveals nothing but a crippled little sparrow.”

The gods stared at the Mirror of True Forms. The moment they saw nothing but a sparrow in its reflection, the hall erupted in outrage.

“This wretched creature ruined a perfectly good banquet at Silvermere Palace. What a disgrace!”

“He has barely spent a few days in the High Realm since His Highness rescued him, and already he thinks he can claim the throne. How revolting!”

Corvin cleared his throat. “My lords and ladies, this little sparrow comes from the mortal world and knows nothing of our ways.

“Please forgive him for disrupting the banquet. I’ll host another grand feast to make up for what happened today.”

The jeers showed no sign of stopping. Brannoc exchanged a glance with my sisters before finally turning toward me.

“Why?”

I had never expected that after being sent back through time, someone I had trusted in the original timeline would suddenly betray me.

Seeing him turn against me hurt more than I expected.

Brannoc studied me in silence for a long while before speaking.

“The title of Divine Heir is not yours to claim.”

I gave a bitter smile and shook my head, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.

“Brannoc, you’ve made a terrible mistake.”

Seravelle approached and looked at me with disgust.

“Father himself named Brannoc the God of War and placed every legion in the High Realm under his command. Are you really arrogant enough to question the High King’s judgment?”

Brannoc broke into a broad grin and pointed at me. “What mistake? If Corvin isn’t the rightful heir, may I be stripped of my godhood and transformed into a pig!”

Hearing Brannoc made his oath, Elvarra seized her chance. “High Guard, seize this creature for impersonating the Divine Heir!”

The armed guards closed in around me with their weapons drawn.

I had no intention of surrendering without a fight. Sunfire erupted around me as the ancient sigil of the High Kings blazed to life upon my brow.

“Look closely and decide which of us is the rightful heir. Would you truly raise your weapons against your future king?”

The force of my power stopped them cold. Doubt spread through the hall.

“Only those who carry the High King’s blood can bear that sigil or summon such sunfire. Could he really be…”

“Auren hasn’t lost his composure once. Corvin, on the other hand, has hardly carried himself like a future king…”

The gods began debating in hushed voices, uncertain whom to believe. My nine sisters’ expressions grew increasingly strained.

Just then, a cold, clear voice cut through the whispers.

“Your illusion is convincing enough to pass for the real thing. Unfortunately, cheap tricks may fool everyone else, but they will never fool me.”

As she spoke, a graceful woman entered the hall, leaving a trail of blossoms in her wake.

It was none other than Elowyn, the Goddess of Flowers, who was also my betrothed.

She crossed the hall and stopped beside Corvin. After taking his hand, she finally turned her cold gaze on me.

“Even if you could imitate the sunfire of the High Kings, the Mirror of True Forms has already exposed you as a common sparrow. You aren’t my beloved.”