Chapter 2

A non-phoenix giving birth to a golden phoenix needed the Phoenix Clan's divine power to protect the mother from the blazing fire of the golden phoenix egg.

However, Freya and Queen Songhart refused to summon Asgon. They even tried to persuade me.

"Asgon is now in the midst of battle with the demons. You can’t distract him at such a crucial moment! Just put up a screen. Emmett will protect you."

Asgon's mother was a lowly concubine, and Asgon had ascended to his current position thanks to his military merits. If he were to withdraw from the frontlines because of me, his reputation would suffer.

With that, I took their advice and did not send for him. That was how I ended up being surrounded by Queen Songhart’s maids and midwife during the birthing process.

During delivery, Queen Songhart took over and silently swapped my egg.

There was no way I'd let them have their way again in this life!

After crushing the jade pendant, I instructed my maid, Somi Wynn, to pack up my belongings. I wanted to return to the palace as soon as possible.

The palace was my territory. There, I could contact the other members of the Phoenix Clan who were loyal to Asgon.

Asgon would return by the next day, and by then, whatever Queen Songhart tried to pull, it would be too late.

Freya began to panic when she saw me packing. She tried to stop me. "Riona, why are you in such a rush to leave when you just got here?"

I calmly nudged her hand away and assured her with a quick smile, "I suddenly remembered I have to attend to Asgon's mother today. She's been feeling unwell for the last few days and needs her pulse checked. As her daughter-in-law, I have a duty to look after her so that Asgon doesn’t have to worry about her while he’s on the battlefield."

Freya tried to dissuade me again, "It's only going to be for a day or two. Besides, Queen Songhart is here. Are you saying your mother-in-law outranks Queen Songhart?"

Queen Songhart was only here because she was eyeing my egg!

I sneered to myself and insisted on having Somi attend to me. I ignored Freya and went straight for the carriage.

That was when I heard Queen Songhart's exasperated cry from behind me. "Are you really in such a rush to leave because you don't care for an old hag like me?"

I suppressed my anxiety and assured her with a smile, "Your Majesty, please don’t think like that."

Still, I insisted on leaving.

The entire Phoenix Clan was aware that Queen Songhart and Asgon did not get along. The only reason the Phoenix King had turned a blind eye to this was because of Asgon’s military achievements.

While Somi helped me board the carriage, Emmett hurried over. He cried out, "Wait, Riona! There are demonic forces along the way. It’s better not to risk it."

I clenched my fists and felt my chest heaving with rage.

I remember there being no such demonic disturbance in my past life. Just to stop me, they had even unleashed demons in the Phoenix Clan’s territory!

How shameless!

"Ah!" Freya shrieked. She covered her mouth and pointed a trembling finger at my abdomen. "Fireblood…"

I followed her gaze and held my breath.

I was going into labor!

It seemed like my emotional state triggered me to go into labor sooner than expected.

The three of them were overjoyed at the sight of this.

Queen Songhart's expression immediately softened. She came up to me in person to hold me and suggested taking me back to the manor.

However, I refused.

Now that I had a second chance at life, I was not going to willingly let my child fall into their hands!

I wanted to return to my palace and wait for Asgon to return.

"Your Majesty, I would rather not go into labor in a foreign place, so let me return to my palace! The demons are no match for my guards!"

I endured the pain and gestured for Somi and my guards to protect me.

Freya and Emmett exchanged a glance before winking at Queen Songhart.

Queen Songhart declared authoritatively, "Do not listen to the princess! She’s about to deliver, and if anything happens to her on the way, not only will I punish you, but you will have to face the king’s fury as well!"

The maids and guards hesitated. After all, they had to worry about the demons as well as Queen Songhart’s threat. To make things worse, I was about to deliver soon.

Queen Songhart summoned her maid to have me brought to the sycamore house in the villa.

That was when the guards stepped forward to stop them. Even though they were unsure about how to proceed, they were still veterans who were loyal to Asgon and me.