Chapter 97: in Peronica continuation

In the Peronican palace, the king and queen of Peronica seated in the their throne, a red royal garment with a phoenix decorative design etched on their dress. Metallic gold and gems attached on their diadems.

“We’re happy for the king of Thallerion…to come here…it is a honor to welcome our new partner.” The king of Peronica voice out.

’The king of Peronica has a magnificent wings. The bird-of-paradise’s wings as they called it. Though we haven’t yet officially allies, but he considered it already.

“I am king Earlvendeur…from the clan of Aopudes. I am glad that you offered an alliance… well, even we have entity…we encourage everyone to maintain…peace and order, among the clan in Peronica. We believe that your alliance has a common goal…and we are willing to be part of that alliance.”

’King Earlvendeur was bearded king…. His right cheek has a dimple. And I feel his warm-hearted personality as bright as his wings. But the queen of Peronica, she is a timid at smile.’

“Yes… Peronican’s goal is to seek peace and equality… Peronica have so many entities….each clan hold important Constellar Entity…but all the leaders here agreed to be part of the alliance.” The Queen added, her lips slit a little smile as she looked at the king of Thallerion. “By the way, I am Queen Pyramia, from the clan of Phoenix …nice to meet you, king Xerxez.”

’Ohh..why the queen of Peronica has no wings? …Maybe, the maiden in the stream were also related to the clan of the queen, the phoenix clan?’

“Nice to meet you too, and too you…king Earlvendeur. And here is my companion, Chief Commander Matheros Esqaniel.”

“It’s an honor to meet you…king and queen of Peronica.” Matheros greeted.

“Come with us…and let’s meet the other clan leaders in Peronica.” The king of Peronica stand-up on his kingly throne. “So that…we can talk better about the alliance.”

His guards from the upper floor landed on the hallway, marching towards king Earlvendeur with grandeur armor. Their wings are beautiful green plumage. Then, on the circular floor, it suddenly move in the center, then the chariot appeared as the floor open.

“Come, have a seat on the chariot!”

’Me and Matheros sit on the chariot with phoenix headed-design. But…wait a minute…who will pull the chariot….there is no horse inside of the throne?’

“Are you sure we have to use this chariot?” Matheros pondered with unexplainable understanding about the chariot purpose. “But who is going to pull the this chariot…is there magic will command the chariot to fly?”

’ I saw the king smile at him…then, I saw the big window suddenly moved too, as wide as a door way. Look…The four guards with muscular body expand their wings, then… they start gripping on the chariot.’

“Whoa… we’re flying!??” Matheros astonished.

“Look at your face…you look like a child … We don’t need horses…we only need Tucana clan men to transfer us into the different locations.”

“Wow… incredible!”

“Those are the Tucana clan men…they are strong guard …they can lift heavy thing, even a giant boulder can be lifted. Their Constellar’s entity were the Toucan. Their fists as hard like iron.” The queen explained.

“Toucan entity?”

’Which clan was the maiden in the stream belong to? Hmm…the Toucan clan was tall people with green feathery wings… unlike… Aopudes…they are like parrot or with golden orange wings.’/

“Peronica has a four clan…each clan, hold corresponding entity… Tucana, Apus, Crane, and Phoenix…” The queen said. “Tucana clan has the strongest wings, Aopudes has the ability to use magic and powerful incantation through sounds.The Craneo Clan are mostly a winged being …their ability was dominant in the water, swiftest clan in Peronica. While my clan…The phoenix…The emissary in Cypriox back then…but now…were casted away.”

“What happened to phoenix clan before….why did your clan was casted away in the Cypriox?”

“It’s a long story….and if you don’t mind…we don’t need to talk about it publicly.”

’So, it confirmed… Peronica was indeed one of the Angels of Cypriox….but okay…I have to respect their privacy.’

“Oh…I apologize.”

The chariot flew away, carried by the Tucana men, there … The colossal tree stood in the center of Peronican’s land. It’s height almost peak at the sky. But, the leaves of the tree were vibrant…a season of Autumn. The fallen leaves scattered throughout the land of Peronica. Each branch has sphere shape houses. Some were hanging like a fruit, but most of them were like nest built-in. Made of giant weeds and roots.

“Are those Houses?”

“Yes. Most of our citizens lived above the tree.”

“I can’t believe, their houses were at the top of the giant tree?”

“Are they lay eggs there, too?” Matheros asked boldly.

“Hahahha….you really think…all clans were the same with birds?? Women are not going to lay eggs…they give birth as same with normal women. All clans…all Peronicans… Possess only the talents and abilities of the Constellar entity, not the characters of the birds.”

“Oh ..hehe…I really thought…

“How old is this tree?” Xerxez look around.

“Well… it’s been billion of years since it appeared here…according to the ancient history…the seed of that tree was like a giant meteorite that fell on the ground from the sky.”

“Oww… that means…that is very old tree.”

“Many of the trees were cut down by the Cyprioxian… because that tree has the ability to strengthen our souls, and give us an understanding about the Constellar entities… through that tree we can help to communicate with our inner Constellar entity.”

“How it do it?” Matheros asked instantly.

The king of Thallerion become interested to know the purpose of the tree. ’maybe that tree can help Thallerion…to understand the reason, why Orion left us, or abandoning us without a warning?’

“Later … I’ll give you a try.”

“Excuse me…king Earlvendeur…if you say… Cypriox is one of the initiator of cutting the trees…why did your clan let that happen?”

“Well… Aquila and Phoenix was under the control of Crux entity…and so, we also follow their orders too…we humble ourselves before them. The Cyprioxian leaders, the religious group demanded to cut the trees..included in Elanthro, in Peronica, even in the other part of the nations. But, Aopudes and the other clan fight with all our might…to protect the trees in Peronica, even if…it all means by violating the sacred vow in Crux religion. The phoenix was with them…we can’t defeat them…imagine, we only have wings to defend our trees….. Look over there…the trees were cut down…but after the trees were cut down….the phoenix clan realized how it impacts to the flying entities…but the Aquila insisted to remain faithful in the Cypriox creed. Aquila or known as Elanthro, fought with phoenix clan…but the Cyprioxian, interfere, those powerful priests, cursed the phoenix. But the story about phoenix clan in the Cypriox is a long story…. We have to respect their past.”

’Why are they hiding the story behind Cypriox? And what exactly is this curse in the phoenix?’

“Cursed the Phoenix?”

“King of Thallerion….will you please…stop asking about the phoenix clan it’s a rude that you try to encroach about it…you came here just for the alliance…so…if you mind it….just keep your foot out of the line of the phoenix clan.” The queen sharply commanded.

“Are all clans live on that tree?”

“Except for the phoenix clan.” The king said.

“Yes, that’s true… our clan ability to transform into a phoenix was prohibited because of our ability to create fire.” Queen snapped her finger, and then the fire appear on her palm.

’Wow… amazing…the queen has the ability to control fire by her will.

“You are like a pyromancer!”

“How did you do that?”

“Our ability can use fire element.”

….

Xerxez and his companions rested for a few days in Peronica’s sanctuary, but the woman’s face remained etched in his memory, like a precious masterpiece locked in his mind. Xerxez seemed to be falling in love. He wondered if she might be the Princess of Peronica, Queen Pyramia’s daughter. However, when they visited the Peronican palace, they were told the queen’s daughter was ill and contagious. So, he had no idea what the princess truly looked like. Even the people of Peronica said the princess was never allowed out, claiming she was under a curse, which was why she hid. But many whispered that the queen kept the princess locked away because she didn’t want her to marry the men who courted her. Xerxez began to ponder the true reason behind these whispers against the queen and the real story of the princess. Since Xerxez allied with Peronica, the mystery of the Peronican princess’s true story became a puzzle for him, as she supposedly hid like a bedbug.

Xerxez was at a feast in the Peronican palace. He knew the Queen of Peronica had a daughter and wanted to clarify the stories the Peronican people told about the princess, but the queen merely changed the subject.

“I heard you strictly forbid your daughter, the princess, from going out. Is it because of a curse?” Xerxez asked.

A spoon clinked against a glass plate holding a sweet dessert made of tea cake. The queen merely chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand, and slightly raised an eyebrow. However, Queen Pyramia’s blood boiled inside her heart at Xerxez’s questions.

“The princess is not feeling well right now, which is why she cannot go out. So please, do not believe the gossips out there—please, do not mention those rumors here in front of the food.”

Xerxez dared not inquire further about the princess’s life; even her name was withheld by the queen. But that wasn’t important to Xerxez because, in truth, his eyes yearned more for the face of the woman by the stream. So, he ordered a soldier to search for the woman throughout Peronica, but Xerxez’s soldier failed. No one else was frolicking by the stream anymore, which saddened Xerxez when he heard the news.

As Xerxez and his company were leaving, Xerxez’s heart hoped to savor the place where their eyes last met, even for the last time. So, Xerxez dismounted and breathed in the fresh air that embraced him. At the same time, his thirsty horses were given water. But then, he heard a sound not far off—a woman’s voice. He followed the source of the sound, and you wouldn’t believe what Xerxez saw, for heaven granted his wish that the woman would appear to him, even for the last time. The maiden was frolicking and singing like a gentle bird humming—it was indeed her! The woman of divine beauty.

“Maiden, why are you alone?” Xerxez approached, driven by his longing, leaving his companions who were watering the horses. When love whistles, Xerxez would brave to encroach the thickest forest. This seemed to be Xerxez’s chance to get to know the woman.

“With your beauty, you shouldn’t be frolicking here alone.” There was a hint of concern in Xerxez’s voice. Xerxez saw a bird-of-paradise near the maiden; her voice was truly captivating, even the birds rejoiced.

“In that case, why don’t you join me here?” the maiden said coaxingly. Her lips were alluring, and she slowly looked into Xerxez’s eyes, feeling Xerxez’s unexplainable joy. “That is, if it doesn’t bother the King of Thallerion?”

“Why not? I respect all of Peronica for the sake of the alliance.” Xerxez raised his eyebrows, and a joyful smile formed on his lips. “But I think if I do that—it won’t be about the alliance anymore.”

The maiden saw Xerxez’s companions waiting ahead, so she knew Xerxez was returning to Thallerion. Her eyes grew heavy, and the cold wind embraced her, signifying the truth that the man she admired would soon leave. However, Xerxez sat on a rock near the maiden, tenderly watching the ripe leaves drift away with the water.

“This seems to be the right time,” Xerxez whispered to himself. It was as if his question came from the drifting leaves, hoping that if his heart fell, it wouldn’t be into the water but onto the woman before him now.

“King Xerxez, do you know you’re the first man to sit beside me?” Perlend said shyly, her cheeks burning but she tried to keep it from showing like smoke. Perlend’s heart felt sad thinking that Xerxez and his company were leaving for Thallerion, while she would just wait for Xerxez to visit Peronica again.

“But how long will I wait?” Perlend’s mind cried, visible in the heavy loss of vigor in her shoulders.

“Really, is it okay if I sit close to you?” Xerxez felt a bit awkward but couldn’t control himself. Even from the first time he saw the maiden, his heart had pounded, and there wasn’t a day or night he didn’t think of her.

“Can you, from this day forward, call me by my name, Xerxez?”

“My name is Perlend, Xerxez.” Xerxez liked the maiden’s name—Perlend. At that moment, Xerxez fully got to know the maiden; he learned that she was unmarried.

“Do you know I had you searched for throughout Peronica because—” Xerxez bit his tongue, his cheeks blushing like plums. Xerxez wanted to confess but was too shy, especially since it was his first time confessing his feelings to a woman.

“Do you also know I came back here because—I like you, Xerxez.” Perlend bravely confessed, not letting the opportunity pass to admit her feelings, unlike Xerxez, a hero of Thallerion, whose tongue faltered in expressing his true feelings for the maiden.

Xerxez breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Perlend’s words. “Perlend, I love you… will you agree to be the partner of my heart?” Xerxez immediately confessed his feelings without hesitation. He no longer cared about the woman’s status in life, whether she was rich or an ordinary citizen of Peronica—he would love her—the purpose of his heart would prevail. Xerxez held Perlend’s hand and moved a little closer.

In truth, he had hoped to meet Queen Pyramia’s daughter but failed to see her. Xerxez had planned to court her for a stronger alliance, but the queen was too protective. So, he poured his true feelings into Perlend instead. There was no politics involved, and certainly no family agreement to unite their feelings.

“Xerxez, I am ready to leave my home because I love you too.” Xerxez embraced Perlend, and suddenly red leaves rained down. There was no denying for a maiden to accept the king’s courtship because she knew Xerxez was a kind man. When Xerxez embraced Perlend, he smelled a sweet flower like an orchid. Xerxez promised himself that he would never make his future wife shed tears.

That stream was connected to the Cirtax River, which had a route to the port of ships that Xerxez frequently passed. The woman’s return to that stream meant only one thing—she was in love!

“I will go with you, Xerxez, because I have no parents to care for me anymore. We are both alone in life,” Perlend said. “But you are a king, while I am just a humble woman.” Xerxez saw that Perlend’s clothes were not wealthy, but even if Xerxez didn’t admit it, the woman’s body was truly clean, as if bathed in milk, due to Perlend’s excellent self-care. Peronica might be a vast country, but love connected their paths to bring them together. Xerxez confessed his love to the maiden, and the maiden, like a hooked fish, refused to deny Xerxez’s true love. The king felt like the luckiest man in the world, about to marry a beautiful woman.

“In that case, I will take you to Thallerion, and we will get married.” Xerxez said and helped Perlend onto his horse. It was springtime then. A reddish breeze leaves gently touched their feet, freshly crisped. The fallen leaves were like flowers at the feet of the two lovers, bloomed like a fallen phoenix feather, caressing the hooves pathway.

Xerxez understood Perlend’s situation as an orphan, so he didn’t ask further about Perlend’s family because an orphan’s life, like his own as an orphan from the war against Moonatoria, was difficult and painful. Matheros and his companions didn’t object; instead, they were happy that Xerxez would finally have a wife, and he wouldn’t be alone forever.

When they returned home in the palace of Thallerion, he immediately commanded all the maiden slaves to prepare for their wedding celebration. He gave invitations to all the constituents in Thallerion. On the next day, the musical bands begins,in that moment; the wedding has started. All invited guests, citizens, and acquaintances celebrated for the newlyweds.

Everyone was happy on that wedding occasion, especially for Xerxez. Xerxez feels like the heavens opened to grant him happiness and a good fortune. The visitors brought grand gifts for the newlyweds.

After one month, Perlend, the wife of Xerxez, was pregnant. Xerxez joyfully announced the Perlend’s pregnancy in the entire land of Thallerion and to all of his acquaintances.

And when the fleeting time arrived, a tormented night covered Thallerion, for his Perlend is about to give birth.

Perlend knew that it is not easy for her to suffer pain labor like the normal women. And her pregnancy is a proof of her weak body, yet, she proved herself that her love will birth the mixed blood of Thallerion and Peronica.

And on that moment, while Xerxez’s wife gasping breath, an astonishing pass by of light object struck behind the clouds, the people heard a different kind of squeak from a bird, and what followed — the baby was born.

Perlend was successfully give birth to a healthy baby, which agile feet kicks impressed the father. The child of Perlend was indeed a boy, so the king was very happy when he found out. He then name him as ’Pyramus’ that symbolized his blazing valor and prowess in the battle combat.

“Yes, Pyramus! The great fire in the war.” Xerxez’ said that tearfully hugged the baby.

Pyramus’ hair was like a phoenix-red inherited in the blood of the Peronican, especially the shape of the eyes, and even the skin tone and smoothness. But, his agile, rounded body and handsomeness molded in the Thallerion’s nation. It was a miracle that Perlend survive after her labor.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep