Library
Search
Home / Imagination / The Phoenix's Second Choice / Chapter 5

Share

Chapter 5

Author: Perfect Timing
Everyone froze for a moment.

Then the entire crowd burst into laughter.

Nyxar crossed his arms and gave me a slow, mocking once-over, his face full of disdain.

"And who are you to judge Princess Seraphine? If she isn't fit to be the heir, what, you think you are?"

My father's expression darkened, anger flaring beneath the surface.

"Enough!" he snapped. "Althea, step aside—now!"

He flung his sleeve, releasing a wave of spiritual force that swept both Franz and me out of the ritual space.

Seraphine glanced over at me, eyes gleaming with challenge.

"Watch closely, Althea," she said with a sneer. "And see for yourself just how much stronger I am than a useless waste like you."

Then she began the sacred Dance of the Hundred Birds.

Power burst outward, rippling in waves from the center of the altar.

In an instant, the sky darkened. A multitude of birds descended, thunder rumbling in the distance, as if dusk had fallen in broad daylight.

Seraphine moved with practiced grace, her waist swaying lightly, each motion fluid and precise.

Magpies took the lead, gathering in reverence before her.

One by one, other birds followed, forming intricate patterns that shimmered with radiant light. Vast energy wove through them, forming a brilliant net suspended in the air.

The crowd watched in a trance, mesmerized.

The overflowing spiritual energy began to spread, meant to nourish and strengthen everyone present.

But soon, whispers of confusion began to rise.

"Strange... why can't I absorb any of the energy?"

"I can't either!"

"It's like it's just passing by me—none of it is being drawn in."

More and more people noticed something was off.

Their eyes slowly lifted to the altar, where Seraphine was still dancing, lost in her own sense of glory.

When the final step landed, she bowed deeply to the heavens and declared in a loud, reverent voice, "I, Seraphine, First Princess of the Phoenix Court, humbly request to receive the inheritance."

Silence.

Unease flickered across her face. She lowered herself to the ground again, her tone more desperate, more devout.

"I, Seraphine, First Princess of the Phoenix Court, humbly request to receive the inheritance!"

This time, there was an answer.

I stood beside Franz, casually rubbing my ear, and said with all seriousness, "You can stop shouting. I refuse."
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Latest chapter

  • The Phoenix's Second Choice   Chapter 11

    I coughed up blood. The pain etched deep into my soul, flooding my entire body. I couldn't stop shaking.Father walked over, disappointment clouding his face."If you weren't the embodiment of divine will in Phoenix Court, if you hadn't stood in Seraphine's way of becoming heir, maybe I could have spared your life," he said. "But now…"I lifted my gaze, my expression laced with quiet scorn."So, to kill me, you dismantled the clan's protective barrier, allowed demon beasts to invade, and caused countless deaths?"His face didn't change. There was not even a flicker of guilt."Their sacrifice was necessary. All for Seraphine to inherit the Phoenix legacy and ensure our clan has a stronger leader. Besides, this is natural selection. If they died, they were simply too weak to belong."Seraphine wasn't satisfied with stabbing me just once. She kept plunging her blade into my body, over and over again, venting every ounce of resentment she held."I'm stronger than you!" she shouted,

  • The Phoenix's Second Choice   Chapter 10

    Nyxar returned to Seraphine's side.In my past life, I had done everything to preserve his dignity. I shielded him from the clan's judgment, upheld his pride both in public and behind closed doors. But Seraphine was not the type to care for such things.She mocked him openly, shredded his worth without restraint. And of course, the clanspeople followed her lead.Compared to the life he had known beside me, his days now were really shitty.Father soon summoned me to the altar. Before the entire clan, he bowed his head and offered a formal apology. He then forced Seraphine—her pride visibly fracturing—to kneel before me."Althea," she said smoothly, "I won't deny I was wrong. But Father is getting old. The Phoenix Court can't go long without a successor. Do you really think the heavens would preserve you, even if it meant letting the whole clan fall?"Let's put this grudge behind us. The future of the Phoenix Court matters more than either of us."Her words, righteous and composed

  • The Phoenix's Second Choice   Chapter 9

    Nyxar looked far older than he had the day before. His eyes stayed fixed on me, unblinking.Then, quietly, two lines of tears slid down his face."Althea," he said, "I was wrong. Seraphine and Lord Pyralis never saw me as anything more than a tool. But you… you were the only one who ever treated me like an equal."He had once believed that bonding with the phoenix clan's chosen heir would elevate him instantly. That with Seraphine, he'd rise above his lowly bloodline.But in the end, apart from offering up the Ouroboros' Orb, he was worthless.Last night, Father had been consumed by fury. He didn't dare lay a finger on me again.The lightning strikes had already forced him back into his true form. And he knew that angering me further could mean utter annihilation.Still, he couldn't let it go.The daughter he had discarded and indulged into ruin turned out to be the Phoenix Court's embodiment of divine will. All the years he'd spent grooming his favored daughter became nothing

  • The Phoenix's Second Choice   Chapter 8

    Late at night, I leaned quietly against the edge of the hot spring.A white snake glided slowly across the water's surface. I reached out and caught it in one swift motion."Althea…" Franz's voice sounded plaintive, almost wronged.He shifted into his human form, his bare chest settling easily beneath my hand as he leaned into me, dependent and relaxed.I looked down at him.His golden eyes glowed faintly in the dark. There was no deceit in them—only a deep, abiding affection.Since that first encounter, I had wondered why Franz, a complete stranger, had fallen for me so deeply and so quickly. Was it because of my identity?It was as if he could hear my thoughts. He tilted his face into my palm and whispered, "We've met before, Althea. This isn't the first time."He guided his memory into my mind through a gentle surge of spiritual energy.A flicker—A small white snake, barely the length of a forearm, was being tormented by a few young phoenix clansmen. Wounded and trembling

  • The Phoenix's Second Choice   Chapter 7

    I laughed out loud. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks. I wept for the utter absurdity of my past life. For how much I had given, and how little it had ever been worth."Never would've what?" I said. "Never would've driven an arrow straight through my heart for Seraphine's sake?"Nyxar, didn't I ever tell you? Yes. I could never be the heir of the Phoenix Court. But if you had truly devoted yourself to me, if you had been mine in soul and will, when I ascended, you would've become a true dragon."Our child… would have inherited the gift. But you never believed me."You want to know why you reincarnated with me? Because the moment I died, heaven took your soul too. You were punished, Nyxar. You were never spared."The truth hit him like a blow.He staggered back, step by step, staring at the contract mark on his hand, the one he had formed with my sister. His face turned pale.Then, a phoenix's cry pierced the air from the altar.Seraphine, charred and humiliated by heavenly light

  • The Phoenix's Second Choice   Chapter 6

    The entire place fell into dead silence. Every gaze turned to me.My father thought I was causing trouble again. Seeing my sister fail to receive the inheritance pushed him over the edge. Fury burst from him like a storm.He unleashed his divine aura, and I was forced to my knees."Althea," he growled, "You've disappointed me beyond words. I've let you off too many times before, but this—this time, your sister was meant to inherit the Phoenix Court's legacy, and you interfered again and again. Today, I'll discipline you on behalf of your mother."He raised his hand.A heavy wave of spiritual force condensed into a slap aimed straight at my face.I stared up at him, calm, unflinching.From the side, Nyxar actually looked concerned."Althea, just apologize," he said hurriedly. "Do you really want to be struck?"But as the blow came close, he backed away, unwilling to be caught in it. He chose himself, as always.What I didn't expect was for Franz to suddenly lunge forward and s

More Chapters

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status