The Legend of the Constellar King

Xerxez was afraid because Perlend and the baby, along with her maid, had been missing for several days. However, Xerxez also noticed that the urn for ashes was missing. He thought that perhaps she went to Peronica, but he still ordered a search for his wife and child. Xerxez felt that Perlend had been suffering ever since she fainted.

"Find my beloved wife, Perlend! And also my son, Pyramus!" Xerxez's bones trembled and he was anxious because his wife and child had been missing for two days.

The messenger from Peronica arrived on that second day. Xerxez was urgently summoned, a command from Queen Pyramia was given to the king of Thallerion that needed to be addressed immediately. When Xerxez discovered the queen's order, and that it concerned his wife, Perlend—Xerxez rushed with Matheros to Peronica.

Xerxez didn't know Queen Pyramia's true intention, but all he could think about was the condition of Perlend and the baby. As they approached Peronica, his heart pounded harder whenever he thought of his beloved Perlend.

Upon reaching the foot of Peronica, they were met by soldiers in armor as red as embers, who escorted them to Queen Pyramia's palace. They were greeted by the familiar large phoenix statue at the entrance of Queen Pyramia's kingdom. Xerxez still remembered the red leaves of the trees that once kissed the walls; now, they had all fallen.

"My Queen, Pyramia... If this is for an alliance, I assure you that our dealings with you will be harmonious. However, you also mentioned my wife, Perlend." Xerxez's eyes showed the fatigue from his ceaseless worry in searching for his son and wife.

"My Queen, we wish to know your purpose for summoning our king of Thallerion?" said Chief Commander Matheros. Matheros thought that Perlend's earlier departure might be related to the queen's messenger now.

"How do you know Perlend?" Queen Pyramia asked, her voice almost as cold as the night. She stood from her throne and stepped towards where Xerxez stood. Xerxez frowned slightly when he heard his wife's name. "Do you truly know her whole being?" Queen Pyramia's questions were like a whip preparing to strike Xerxez.

The council members were listening from the side, as were some of the high-ranking clan leaders. Xerxez began to think that Perlend might have come from one of Peronica's important clans. Xerxez's confidence in believing that Perlend was an orphan began to waver. S+p$o#t an e&r!r!o!r?^ Vi&si$t the o%r%i^gina-l# po^s@t^ on M#&*VL.EM^P*Y&R.&

"My Queen of Peronica, I met Perlend by the stream near Cirtax River, but if you think I took her in an elopement, you are mistaken! Perlend said she had no parents or family."

"Do you truly know nothing about the life of the Princess of Peronica?" A man sitting among the clan leaders spoke, his face contorted in distaste at Xerxez's account.

"I loved Perlend, so her origin was no obstacle for me, but because that is what my wife told me, that is what I will believe. So please, show me my wife." Xerxez was desperate to see his wife because his anxiety wouldn't leave him.

"Xerxez," Queen Pyramia uttered. "Do you know the story of Peronica—but I know you're quick to believe gossip—why didn't you try to find out about Perlend's life, did you intend this even though you knew—or are you just pretending not to know?"

"Perlend has nothing to do with the life of the Princess of Peronica. My wife is an orphan, that's why I loved and married her." Xerxez's brow furrowed because the queen was implying that Perlend was the cursed princess of Peronica. "So why are you meddling in our married life?"

"Because I am Perlend's mother!—Whack!!" Queen Pyramia slapped Xerxez in front of many people. Everyone was shocked by the loud smack of her palm on Xerxez's almost red cheek. The queen's tears flowed as if she was the one hurt by the slap. Xerxez felt deafened when he heard the echo of the truth that the queen was his mother-in-law.

"You are Perlend's mother?" Xerxez was stunned.

"Surprised?" said Queen Pyramia. "That pain isn't enough!" Queen Pyramia was about to scold Xerxez further when an old woman arrived, her necklace clanking, her words as sharp as talon-like earrings.

"Queen Pyramia, that's enough!" Old Sentheria approached. And stood before the people. "I am Sentheria, Perlend's grandmother. I am delighted to welcome you to the Vrupercan clan, King of Thallerion."

Xerxez's face was serious as he saw Sentheria's unusual appearance, like a shaman adorned with many trinkets. Xerxez knew that antique amulets hung from Sentheria's neck. "But I regret to inform you that the princess's body is weak. It seems you are the only one her last breath awaits."

Xerxes had heard about the Vrupercan clan and was surprised by Perlend's extensive knowledge of Queen Pyramia's lineage. It turned out Perlend was Queen Pyramia's daughter, confirming that phoenix blood flowed in his wife's veins. This made Xerxes ponder the fate of his son, Pyramus.

Xerxes was certain the Vrupercan clan wouldn't allow Pyramus to be separated from their sight. But that wasn't important to him; what he truly desired was to see and be with his wife and child.

As Xerxes understood it, the Vrupercans were a race among the Peronica who possessed pure phoenix blood. Over many, many years, they branched into numerous clans, mostly from Elanthro, a country nestled atop mountains. People believed this land was chosen by the entity of Aquila—the powerful thunderbird—the phoenix's rival.

However, for the Vrupercans, the phoenix itself didn't die but reincarnated as a human. From then on, their hair turned fiery red like the phoenix's, and they believed phoenix blood was sacred.

But all of that was just old wives' tales. What truly happened was that the phoenix entity had no physical body that could take human form or reincarnate. Instead, one of the Vrupercans was chosen by the phoenix to be its vessel, allowing the phoenix's power to be realized in this world. When this chosen one married, the phoenix's power, along with agelessness, red hair, and smooth skin, was passed down to their children. Old Sentheria believed the chosen one never truly died but transformed into a phoenix. This was according to the stories of her ancestors, which she still held true. Thus, she believed the ashes were a sign of the chosen one's return, not as a human, but as a phoenix.

The clan became divided because some Elanthro married Vrupercans. However, before the curse arrived, all clans inherited the red hair and agelessness. But when the curse came, the Vrupercans weakened and became susceptible to illness. If their blood mixed with other races, those who married outside the clan would be afflicted with a curse that was the opposite of the phoenix's blessing.

Xerxes' heart pounded upon hearing about Perlend's condition. Queen Pyramia and Sentheria accompanied Xerxes to Perlend's room. Perlend was awake but barely moving; her body was very weak, and her voice was hoarse.

"Xerxez," Perlend called, slowly. Xerxes rushed to her upon hearing her voice, eager to be by her side. Xerxes immediately embraced and kissed Perlend.

"Why did you leave without saying goodbye? You worried me even more." Perlend remained silent. Tears slowly streamed down her face, and her skin cracked like decaying feathers.

"Beloved Queen Pyramia, please, tell me why my wife's body is like this?" Queen Pyramia sighed deeply at Xerxes' question.

"Do you remember those days? At the dinner table, you once asked about the princess?" Xerxes nodded, the memory flashing back. "The truth is, Perlend never had an illness. But when she has a child with a man who isn't of phoenix blood, the curse appears."

"The Phoenix's curse?" Xerxes' voice was deep, like a cave echoing with incomprehensible truth.

"Yes. That's why we never wanted men to see Perlend, because it was unlikely that her suitors wouldn't fall for her."

"My Queen, truthfully, I also risked trying to meet the princess back then. But you wouldn't allow it; I wanted to confirm if Perlend was your daughter."

"Do you know Perlend was supposed to marry a man of her own blood, but she ran away, and now I've found out she eloped with you."

"Mama," Perlend called, her voice almost gone. Xerxes noticed Perlend's face had aged, and her hair had turned white, like a heron's. "Xerxez," Xerxes also turned, looking at Perlend's entire body with sorrow.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I hope you can forgive me..." Perlend's words were broken as she struggled to breathe.

"Perlend, don't think about that. Fight, and I will find a cure for you," Xerxes said, caressing Perlend's hand.

"King Xerxes, I regret to say there is no cure for the Phoenix's curse," Old Sentheria interjected, standing at the door of the room, her charms jingling.

"The truth is, this isn't the first time we've witnessed the Phoenix's curse. We've done everything we can to cure it, but as expected, it always comes to nothing, just like before."

"Have you asked the Cypriox?" Xerxes asked.

"Please don't take offense, but ever since they sided with Elanthro... our relations with them have become strained," Sentheria replied.

"Grandma Sentheria, this is not the time for your old personal disputes. A life is at stake here, so please, stop it," Xerxes said, raising his voice, his words like a slap to old Sentheria's face.

"The way you talk, you'd think you know the whole truth. You don't know the betrayal the Cypriox committed." She sniffed. "Hmph, those hypocrites!"

"All you care about is your clan's welfare. What about the people affected?" Xerxes countered.

"Oh, now you're lecturing me? Hey, King of Thallerion, you know nothing about our clan's entire story." Sentheria pointed her wooden cane at Xerxes. The lines on Sentheria's cane glowed. Xerxes noticed this and realized it wasn't an ordinary staff but a crutch of magic.

"Please, both of you, be quiet!" Queen Pyramia said, annoyed. The two fell silent, glaring at each other like birds about to clash. "My husband died because it was connected to the curse, so... Grandma Sentheria, I think Xerxes is right, why don't we take a chance?"

"Take a chance?" Sentheria said. "Queen Pyramia, I'm not just speaking for the clan's welfare; I'm telling you—we don't have enough time to ask for help."

"Grandma Sentheria, I don't want to lose Perlend either. But as long as Perlend is still alive, maybe we can still prevent the Phoenix's curse?"

"Do you think this is a shallow curse that miracle workers in Cypriox can cure?"

"Grandma Sentheria, have you ever tried asking them for help before?" Xerxes asked.

"Don't ask me such things. But I will clarify this for you, asking for help from the Cypriox will lead nowhere!"

"I believe the entity of Crux is alive," Xerxes replied. "I will go to Cypriox to ask for help from the three kings."

"Hmph, do whatever you want with that, just don't involve the name Peronica when you ask for help from Cypriox," Sentheria said.

Suddenly, soldiers arrived, none other than Queen Pyramia's three soldiers. Qun Lun, leading them, rushed in with greetings for everyone present.

"Beloved Queen and Old Sentheria... we regret to inform you... The old phoenix ashes are missing from the facility," Qun Lun announced. Sentheria's shoulders slumped, and her knees trembled with fear that the news might be true.

"Impossible!" Sentheria exclaimed. "How did that happen, tell me?" Sentheria poked Qun Lun's clothes with her staff, and it glowed.

"That's what the facility guard told us. The phoenix ashes quietly disappeared, and we discovered a hole made inside. The phoenix ashes were stolen."

"What!?" Sentheria and Queen Pyramia exclaimed in shock. Xerxes also wondered if the ashes he saw in his son's room might also be phoenix ashes.