Rebirth: The Peacock Princess Gave Birth to a Phoenix

“Oh? If Your Majesty is so confident, why not have Princess Aurelia reveal her true form?” Silvan sneered, his eyes locked on Queen Elara.

“If she truly is a Green Peacock, I will atone with my life. But if she is not, then it is only right that Princess Aurelia pays with hers. Isn't that fair?”

Queen Elara’s face darkened, her brow furrowed in distress.

King Alaric, too, shifted from shock to suspicion, his expression growing stern.

For him, bloodline mattered more than appearances.

He was a Green Peacock, yet all his daughters were ordinary Blue Peacocks.

When I was born, rumors of my noble green coloring quickly spread, and he showered me with all his affection.

But now, hearing Silvan claim that I was, in fact, a lowly Black Peacock, King Alaric gripped the arms of his chair so tightly they almost splintered beneath his fingers.

Queen Elara stood there, unable to speak a single word.

Silvan’s expression shifted from disdain to triumph. “It’s a simple matter, really—just reveal your true form. Why hesitate, Your Majesty? Unless, of course, I am right?”

Queen Elara’s expression darkened further, but just as she was about to respond, I stepped forward, positioning myself in front of her, and calmly declared, “It’s true. I am not a Green Peacock.”

Queen Elara shouted in anguish, “Aurelia, how could you?”

Silvan had pressed me to reveal my true form because he knew I wasn’t a Green Peacock. In my previous life, during childbirth, I had revealed my original form due to the unbearable pain, and Silvan had been terrified.

Everyone believed I was King Alaric’s only daughter with the prized green feathers, which was why Silvan went to such great lengths to marry me. But peacock eggs always reflect their parent’s color, and when I laid a white egg, Silvan's rage knew no bounds.

He smashed the egg right then and there, then slit my throat while I remained in my original form. But he wasn’t finished. He plucked my feathers from my barely breathing body and cast me into the mountains, where wild beasts roamed, allowing them to tear me apart.

"Well, well, well." Silvan laughed as he stood up, removing his sword and tossing it at my feet. "Since you have confessed, then the princess should atone for her sins with her life."

I replied, "But I never claimed to be a Green Peacock. What crime have I committed?"

When I was born, a strange phenomenon filled the sky. The heavens above the entire Peacock clan were awash with colors.

Everyone said I was a sign of good fortune.

But only Queen Elara, who gave birth to me, knew the truth—that I had come from a dull, lifeless black egg. She sent everyone away and carefully wrapped the egg in cloth.

On the day I hatched, she was the only one to see my true form.

From that day forward, I never claimed to be a Green Peacock.

Before marrying Silvan in my past life, I sought him out and confessed that I was not a Green Peacock. At that time, Silvan told me he didn't care and that it was me he loved, not my feathers.

His words moved me, and with great joy, I married him, doing everything in my power to fulfill my duties as his wife. But I only realized the truth when I was dying. He had believed I was testing him, and so he said those sweet words to manipulate me into marrying him.

"Even if you never claimed to be a Green Peacock, you also never revealed that your true form is that of a Black Peacock. You have enjoyed the wealth and luxury of the royal family; that itself is a deception to the people."

While there was no law that stated Black Peacocks could not remain in the royal family, ever since the reign of the third Peacock King, any Black Peacock born into the royal family had been banished.

Just as I was about to say that I wasn't a Black Peacock either, King Alaric spoke up.

"Enough, Silvan. If you wish to marry Celeste, then I will grant you the marriage."

Silvan immediately fell to his knees. “Thank you, Your Majesty. But what is to become of Princess Aurelia?”

"Silvan, this is a matter of my family. Just how far do you intend to meddle?"

Silvan instantly understood King Alaric's intent. "I understand, Your Majesty."

Under the gaze of the entire court, Silvan took Celeste by the hand and led her away. As they passed me, Celeste gave me a long, meaningful look.

She leaned in close, her voice a soft whisper in my ear. "Looks like you’re finally getting what you deserve."