Chapter 3 Reborn

Two years Back, choosingCeremony~

Jadesh Tower

Inside the tower were children between the range of 6-12 years,this is where the children of the royal concubines are always taken too after their birth because of the rule that has been in the realm for many decades.

That any child of the royal concubine must be taken to the tower and their blood must be used to cleanse the kingdom by offering their blood to the sacred altar.

At a corner six year old Ixora is chained to one of the scared altar on top of a mountain.

Her two hands were chained separately like a starfish, her small face were covered in blood and she is crying heavily has the chains is squeezing blood out of her.

When it was done the guards release her both chained hand and from on top the mountain she fell to the ground full of sharp stones.

This was also the rites they do to know if a child is not for the royal family, if a child is for the royal family the child won't dies but will only end up with severe injuries but if it's the other the child will die.

As Ixora hit the ground it was her left ear that took the hit, when the guards carried her her ear is already bleeding out a lot of blood.

When they dropped her among the remaining children she ladded on a twelve year old boy's little lap.

She raised her head taking it from the boys lap for the boy to return her head to his lap before using his power as a shield so that the guards won't see them.

And then proceeded in cleaning the blood coming out of Ixora’s ears with his cloth, before healing her a little with his power.

But it doesn't last long when the guards noticed them, the boy was fast enough to break the shield before they reach him and took him to the mountains.

They did the same thing they did to Ixora but more fierce than Ixora's own and when they also released his hands he two legs took the fall and he can't stand up again .

Ixora crawled to him still coverings her ears while using all her strength to raise his head she tried to heal him like he did it her but her dragon core is already weak.

But the boy speak up “ Don't waste your power on me , pri...nce…ss k..ota-”

“My name is Ixora, IXORA" she spell her name out shaking him." What's your name" she asked

“Theo- “ that was the last words he said before the he lost his breathing.

Ixora shake him crying " Don't leave me”

PRESENT

Lenny tap Ixora when she couldn’t take it again “ why is she crying ” she muttered .

When she saw no movement from Ixora but when Ixora hand grabbed her , she stood up from the chair and hover over her.

“Don't die, Theo” Ixora kept sleep talking.

Lenny also start crying with her.

“Ixora!” Lenny shouted and Ixora eyes jolt open.

Cold was the last thing she felt.

Then... warmth now , her eyes scanned her surroundings before, the scent of incense filled her nose. Not blood?. Not snow?.

Ixora jolt up standing from her chair, touching her whole body; She is not on the frozen ground, she looked at her surroundings again taking it all in.

She was standing in the Golden Hall of the Palace. Music was playing by the maiden .Hundreds of people were staring at her.

And in front of her, on the high throne, sat the King her father. Alive and young.

"Two years ago..." Ixora whispered, her hands shaking.

Her hands.

She looked down. Her scales were whole. Perfect. Black and silver, shining without a single crack. Her body is not broken.

She touched her chest. Her dragon core was beating , still strong as ever.

"I'm back," she said in a voice only she could hear. "I really am back."

At that moment, the royal announcer announce, "Ixora, daughter of the Dragon King! The time has come! Step forward and choose your husband!"

All eyes turned to her.

In the center of the hall stood three men.

First is Draven in his tall and handsome face wearing white armor. The man who killed her son. The man she once loved like a fool.

Second, Prince Theoniel the crippled second prince everyone laughed at, sitting in a chair, when Ixora eyes met his the same memories of the boy who saved her flashed she held her heading pain and quickly walked away from him.

Third, Commander Zane, the son of her father close friend.

In her last life, she had lowered her head shyly and said, "I choose Draven." Because Father told her to. Because she thought Draven loved her.

Annya is standing beside the throne in a pink dress, smiled sweetly and whispered, "Sister, choose Draven. He is the best for you."

The same words. Exactly the same as two years ago.Ixora looked at Annya. Then at Draven, who was looking at Annya, not her.

Something cold and dark curled inside her chest.This time, she will not lower her head.

She walked forward, each step echoing, the hall as everyone was eagerly waiting for her to choose Draven.

She stopped in front of Draven and he smiled widely, ready to take her hand.

But Ixora walked past him, gasp rippled through the crowd.She walked past all of them, straight to the man in the chair that no one ever chose.

Prince Theoniel looked up, shocked.

Ixora knelt down on one knee before him, before lifting his cold hand, and said loud enough for the entire hall to hear:

"In my last life, I chose wrong and paid with my child's blood. In this life... I choose you, Prince Theoniel."

The entire Golden Hall fell silent, Draven's smile froze and turned into a angry one. The hall exploded they didn't expect that.

"What is she doing?!"

"She rejected Draven! For a cripple?!"

"Has the Princess gone mad?"

The King's face turned dark. "Ixora! What nonsense is this? You will choose Draven!"

Ixora did not move. She was still holding Theoniel’s hand. His hand was cold, but his eyes... his eyes were burning.

Draven stepped forward, with awful expression "Princess stop this joke. You are confused."

Ixora finally looked at him. In her last life, she would have cried. She would have begged for his love.

In this life, her eyes were empty."I am not confused, General Draven," she said coldly.

Draven's face went pale.

Annya quickly grabbed the King's arm, tears already in her eyes. "Father, Sister must be cursed! The crippled prince is known for dark magic! He must have controlled her!"

Prince Theoniel finally spoke with a low and hoarse voice, like he had not used it in years. "Do I look like a man who can control anyone, Princess Annya?"

"Oh Annya, you're worried about curses? Maybe you should focus on the real curse of you look like a radish,everyone sees through your 'envy'. You're just mad I got

the spotlight,don't worry, your signature 'fake cry' won't work on me . Save it for Draven, he loves a good sob story "