Semua Bab The Phoenix's Second Choice: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Everyone was stunned.My father stared at my sister, disbelieving."Seraphine, do you even understand what you're saying? Althea has already chose him. Besides, Nyxar is nothing more than a black serpent with impure blood. Binding with him will only bring you harm."Before my father could say another word, Nyxar pulled out a tiny box from his sleeve and presented it to Seraphine with both hands reverently.Inside lay a single, pearl-white pill."A humble gift," he said. "For the First Princess."Someone in the crowd recognized it instantly and gasped. "That's the Ouroboros' Orb!"I glanced over, then lowered my eyes.The Ouroboros' Orb was the Snake Clan's most legendary relic—a treasure so deadly to obtain, it was said to demand a life in exchange. But its power was unmatched: it could obliterate old meridians and forge new ones, catapulting one's spiritual strength to unimaginable heights.In our past life, I'd sacrificed fortunes—poured rare elixirs and divine herbs into Ny

"Enough," my father said coldly. "It's getting late. Begin the Sacred Bonding."The four of us stepped into the ritual formation. Thunder cracked in the sky, and with the altar as a conduit, spiritual energy was drawn from each of us, carving the bond into our very bones.But the difference in strength between the Phoenix Court and the serpent clan was immense. Soon, both Nyxar and the white serpent began to falter. Drained of power, they both struggled to withstand the pressure."Princess... please, help me..." Nyxar collapsed beneath the force of the divine will, blood slipping from the corner of his mouth. He could barely speak as he begged.Seraphine was about to step forward when Father stopped her."Black serpent," he said, his tone cutting, "you should consider yourself lucky to even be matched with my daughter. If you can't endure this, then it's your fate, nothing more."Nyxar stared wide-eyed at Seraphine, the same woman who had blushed and accepted him moments ago. But

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

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

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