Chapter 3

It looked like things were over after Selene left, but I could feel in my bones that this was only the beginning.

In my previous life, Orion and Selene were at odds for ages. In the end, Selene couldn't refuse her son and agreed to let him marry Lila, but only as a concubine.

Orion had no choice but to back down.

I really didn't want to agree, but Selene tried to convince me. "She's just a mortal woman, and only a concubine at that. Don't let it get to you."

She told me my parents had passed away, and now I was the only one left to support the Winged Kin.

Even though she was there for me, she said it'd be better if I became the Crown Princess myself, and eventually the Queen.

I believed her. For the sake of the Winged Kin, I forced myself to accept it, even though my heart was full of bitterness.

But none of us saw it coming. Lila was way more headstrong than we thought.

After hearing what Selene said, she somehow ended up at the Eternal Void.

The Eternal Void was hidden away in some remote spot, and she'd just arrived, so there was no way she should've known about it. Orion definitely wouldn't have told her, either.

But she still ended up there anyway.

She stood atop the Eternal Void, her expression twisted with grief. "Orion, Orion... you lied to me, you hurt me so deeply."

Orion was beside himself, veins bulging on his forehead. "Lila, please, just come down! We can talk, I promise!"

But Lila refused to budge. "I may be a mere mortal, but I was born to a noble house. I'd rather die with my pride than live as someone's concubine."

After one final glance at Orion, she leapt from the Eternal Void without hesitation, her soul utterly shattered.

After that day, Orion was consumed by madness for a long time before he finally regained his composure.

I thought, just as Selene had said, that two or three decades of affection were nothing but a fleeting ripple in the river of countless years.

But I was wrong. It wasn't a ripple. It was a raging storm, and in the end, it drowned us all.

I had to change the way things ended.

So when Selene approached me again, trying to use her old tricks, I turned her down without a second thought.

But I knew that for Orion's position as Crown Prince to remain secure, Selene wouldn't let me go so easily.

So I said, "The Crown Prince is deeply infatuated with that mortal woman right now. The more Your Majesty tries to intervene, the deeper his feelings will grow.

"Why not take a step back and let him have his way for now? Once his passion fades, we can revisit the matter.

"That way, you won't risk harming the bond between you and the Crown Prince."

Selene's gaze shifted thoughtfully at my words.

After thinking it over, she gave my hand a reassuring pat. She said, "You really are clever and know how to see the bigger picture, Aurora. I've always considered you a daughter to me.

"Don't worry. Once Orion's novelty wears off, I'll make sure he makes things right for you."

She was sure Orion was the only one I'd ever choose.

But who said Orion was my only option?

*****

After saying goodbye to Selene, I headed back to Phoenix Mountain.

Just as I stepped through the gate, a shadowy puffball came rolling straight at me.

It skidded to a stop right before it could bump into me, then morphed into a boy with a cheeky smile and sparkling eyes.

"Aurora, you're back!" he called out, his whole face lighting up with excitement.

I couldn't resist ruffling his hair, and he leaned in, nuzzling my palm, letting me pet him as much as I wanted. He was just too adorable and well-behaved.

The boy's name was Rowan Blackwood, and he was also King Lucian's son. But he'd been frail since he was little, so Queen Selene had him raised on Phoenix Mountain.

But I knew Rowan wasn't Selene's biological child.

Lucian was a notorious flirt, leaving his mark all over the Three Realms. No one could say for sure how many children he'd fathered.

That was exactly why Selene was so determined to tie me and Orion together.

Honestly, Rowan had never even crossed my mind before.

It was just that he always seemed so fragile, like he might drop dead any second.

But it wasn't until the end of my previous life that I realized the truth. It wasn't that his body was weak, but his spirit was too strong.

His body just couldn't handle the power inside him, which was why he always looked like he was on the verge of breaking down.

Now that I had another chance, maybe with the power of my Rebirth Flame, I could finally forge his body strong enough to contain that overwhelming soul of his.

Honestly, raising a sweet, obedient little brother sounded way better than chasing after some arrogant, thick-headed guy.

Besides, every time Rowan's soul advanced, he'd need my Rebirth Flame to further refine his body.

This way, I wouldn't have to worry about him breaking free from my grasp the way Orion did.

Thinking about that, my voice grew even gentler. "How's your health these days, Rowan?"

I plopped down right on the ground, and Rowan sprawled across my lap, letting me run my fingers through his hair. Every so often, he'd make these soft purring sounds, just like a contented kitten.

If I didn't know his true form, I'd honestly think he was just an adorable little cat spirit who'd somehow become a boy.

"It's all thanks to you, Aurora. I've been feeling way better lately, and those sick spells hardly ever come up anymore." Rowan flashed me a big, grateful smile.

But even with that bright grin, I could still catch a hint of sadness lingering in his eyes.