Chapter 4

Rowan was raised by me, after all. Seeing him like this, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him.

I ruffled his hair again. "Your condition isn't hopeless, you know."

I said it offhandedly, but Rowan's eyes instantly lit up.

He just stared at me with those wide, round eyes, not blinking once, but he didn't rush to ask anything.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're really not rushing at all, huh?"

He grinned. "I know you've always got my back, Aurora. As long as I do what you say, I'll be fine."

"If only you could stay this sweet and obedient all the time," I sighed.

"I'll always listen to you," he replied.

I couldn't tell if he was being sincere, but honestly, it didn't matter. I always had something up my sleeve anyway.

Now that I'd made up my mind, I started preparing to refine Rowan's divine body.

I had the Rebirth Flame, but after everything that happened in my previous life, I knew just how strong Rowan's primordial spirit really was.

Just relying on the Rebirth Flame probably wouldn't be enough to temper his body so it could withstand his primordial spirit.

Fortunately, the Phoenix Clan was full of treasures.

Just as I was lost in thought, someone set their sights on me. It was Orion and Lila.

"Aurora, I want the Rebirth Stone," Orion demanded, not bothering with any courtesy.

He spoke like he was asking for some cheap trinket, not the Phoenix Clan's most prized treasure.

I let out a laugh, half annoyed, half amused.

The Rebirth Stone came from a phoenix's ninth and final rebirth.

Phoenixes were rare enough, but those who had survived nine rebirths? Since the beginning of time, they were practically legendary.

And now, with me being the last phoenix alive, that Rebirth Stone was absolutely priceless.

I glanced at Orion, demanding it like he owned the place, and flashed him a polite, insincere smile. "You're a little late, Your Highness. The Rebirth Stone's already been used up."

Orion paused, looking surprised. "How is that possible? Wasn't there still one left in the Phoenix Vault?"

"It was, Your Highness." I smiled coldly, no warmth in my eyes.

Back when Orion and I were still engaged, we were on the same side.

I'd thrown a ton of Phoenix Clan treasures his way to help him get stronger and lock down his spot as Crown Prince of the Divine Realm.

If it hadn't been for me, he never would've become a god so fast.

But now that he'd called off the engagement, he was basically my enemy. Yet he still had the nerve to come begging for Phoenix Clan treasures like nothing had changed. I never thought he'd be this thick-skinned.

Lila chimed in, "It's alright, Your Highness. Guess I'm just not lucky enough."

"If Aurora doesn't want to give it, there's no need for you to offend her on my behalf," Lila said softly, but her words hit Orion right where it hurt.

I glanced at her in surprise. This was the woman Orion was absolutely crazy about.

With those words, if Orion didn't get the Rebirth Stone for her, it'd make him look like he was afraid of crossing me.

Yeah, I knew exactly why Orion was here. He was here for Lila.

The Rebirth Stone could refine the body and forge a divine physique.

Orion was a five-clawed golden dragon. His divine body was already incredibly strong. The Rebirth Stone was nothing special to him.

But for Lila, who started out as a mere mortal, the Rebirth Stone could help her shed her human form and ascend to immortality in an instant.

With the Rebirth Stone, Lila wouldn't just fix her short mortal lifespan. She'd shed her weak human shell and become immortal herself.

Orion wasn't going to back down today.

Orion gently soothed Lila, then turned to me with a frown. He said, "Alright, Aurora. I know breaking off the engagement was on me, but you really don't have to be so harsh to Lila.

"I always thought you were just always trying to win at everything, but I never realized you could be this vicious.

"Let me make this clear. You're giving me the Rebirth Stone today, whether you want to or not."

"Are you trying to take it by force, Your Highness?" I smirked, my tone full of mockery.

Orion's face froze for a split second. He knew he was no match for me.

"Don't be angry, Aurora, His Highness would never—" Lila tried to smooth things over.

But Orion cut her off before she could finish. "If I want to take it by force, so what?"

"Nothing at all," Aurora shot back, then stepped aside and suddenly bowed to someone behind Orion. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Orion instantly stiffened.