The soldiers immediately spread the news of Perlend's return, but the reactions from the councils, ministers, and influential people in Peronica poured in like a deluge. When the elders learned about the Phoenix's curse, Queen Pyramia's clan immediately came to Perlend's aid. The elders said there was truly no cure for such a curse.
Perlend explained that the ash wasn't human ash but something mysterious that appeared beside the infant, leading to many speculations among the clan leaders in Peronica that Perlend's child might be the new chosen one of the Phoenix.
"Dear Queen, if Perlend speaks the truth, that the ash came from the phoenix, then it might be true—the infant is the new chosen one?" said the old woman, her skin covered in shaman-like tattoos. Amulets made of stones jingled around her. Her earrings were sharp, like eagle talons.
"Forgive me, Lola Sentheria, if I cannot answer that question directly... but don't worry—I've already commissioned research from our trusted personnel," Queen Pyramia replied.
"There's old phoenix ash preserved; that will be our answer if the ash that appeared is indeed the same," Sentheria said. Even though she was old, her presence was still acknowledged by those in power. "If the clan proves that Pyramus is the chosen one... tell the Thallerion: 'Perlend's child cannot live in Thallerion.'"
"Elder Sentheria..." Other clans arrived, led by Garith. "It doesn't seem right that only you are meeting about the phoenix." He stood proudly, his sneer sharp, and his posture wary of the public eye. "Hasn't the Queen learned proper diplomacy in Peronica?" Garith greeted sarcastically. Queen Pyramia's brows furrowed at Garith's biting remark. Sentheria's staff thumped on the ground as Garith and his group arrived.
"My apologies, I just thought you wouldn't know exactly about the true origin of our clan, I know you rely only on historical bases ," Sentheria said, and the bronze and jade bangles on her wrists clattered. "So, if you please—stay out of the phoenix discussion!"
"We are all Peronican here, you think too much of your special blood," Garith said, sitting on a wide table, followed by the other leaders with him. "I heard the curse has consumed Pyramia's child... it seems the belief that the princess died will still come true."
"Please, show some sympathy for the Queen," Sentheria said. "All of you, if you cannot sympathize with Princess Perlend's situation, you may leave this gathering." Sentheria surveyed the newly arrived guests. They felt that most agreed with her, except for Garith.
"So, Thallerion is the reason the curse awakened?" Garith said. "The alliance happened before the princess disappeared; this is a huge slap to your clan. Imagine—only Thallerion would snatch her away."
"I have no intention of being angry with Thallerion; in truth, my entire clan is grateful for the birth of our new heir—and the infant is a boy," Queen Pyramia said. Though the Queen was hurt, she only thought of her clan's reaction to the opportunity of a new heir emerging.
"Be honest with the entire clan, did you plan this? It looks like you made it seem like you were willing to sacrifice the princess for a new heir in a secret way?" Garith said, like a rooster ready to strike. The Queen's jaw clenched at Garith's words. "Or maybe Perlend's pregnancy with the King of Thallerion is just a fabrication. Like her disappearance, everyone thought she was dead—but she's alive and even had a child!" Garith thought that if Perlend could manipulate her fake death, then her pregnancy was likely another staged act.
Queen Pyramia slammed her hand on the table, her brow furrowing roughly, but she forced herself not to make a scene, taking a deep breath and looking at Garith seriously. "I have summoned the King of Thallerion. He will arrive any moment for the official recognition of the infant's true father." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs ɴovelfire.net
"I just wonder why the King of Thallerion would agree to marry a princess carrying a curse?" Garith said. "The King of Thallerion must be quite foolish."
"Stop your incessant chatter, you're wasting time with your talking, this is not a place for gossip or bickering!" Sentheria said, though her joints ached from waiting for Garith to stop, Sentheria still didn't look old, despite her advanced age. That was one of the characteristics of their blood—they didn't age.
"My husband just died, and my daughter Perlend is currently bedridden... can't you set aside your political noise for now? We are here to discuss the phoenix; the ash before us now proves that the phoenix has returned to our clan once more."
"The phoenix belongs to all of us, why can't you just admit that?" Garith retorted, becoming serious. "All of our clans here in Peronica share a single ancestral tree, so why do you insist it's 'yours alone'?"
"I already told you, didn't I, you know nothing about the origin of our clan," Sentheria insisted, thumping her staff again, bored with Garith's words. "Yes, all our clans originated from a single tree, but that doesn't mean—you are part of the phoenix." Garith's nostrils flared even more, and he shrugged.
"Esteemed clan leaders, ministers listening now, and all of you council members, listen closely," Garith said, sweeping his gaze across the meeting room and standing from his seat. "If a new chosen one of the Phoenix is proven, aren't you afraid that Aquila might invade us like lightning from Elanthro?" Everyone looked at Garith and whispered amongst themselves.
Some said: 'It's no joke to fight the Aquila of Elanthro; according to legend, its chosen one is still alive and lives in the heavens with the great bird.'
But others' opinion was: 'There's no need to fear, for the phoenix is also powerful and doesn't just die. Only the curse obstructs Queen Pyramia's lineage.'
Elder Sentheria adjusted her seating, thumping her staff loudly to silence the whispers of the people around. "Do you truly think the Phoenix's chosen one was defeated back then?" The leaders raised their eyebrows and turned to her. "The truth is, the phoenix was not defeated, but the two chosen ones made an agreement for the sake of the people."
"That's just your story! The Elanthro are the ones who say the Aquila defeated the phoenix," Garith pressed.
"That's precisely why I'm telling you—you know nothing about the phoenix clan, because most of the clans in Peronica came from Elanthro, fleeing with the Phoenix's chosen one to Peronica," Elder Sentheria replied.