I was the Peacock Princess. The year I came of age, every male peacock in the kingdom came seeking my hand. I distinctly chose Carbonell, a noble Green Peacock, yet the child I bore after marriage was a lowly White Peacock. Carbonell, seeing the White Peacock, flew into a rage. He snatched the infant, dashed it to its death, then threw me to be devoured by wild beasts. My sister, who had married a common Blue Peacock, bore a rare Violet Peacock. Her husband, in turn, became the new King of Birds. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day I chose Carbonell as my husband. Before everyone, he rejected me, asking for my sister’s hand instead. I knew then: he had also been reborn. He believed that by marrying my sister, he would father a Violet Peacock. But this time, he wouldn’t even produce the lowliest Black Peacock. ... 1 After the Phoenix clan’s demise, we, the Peacocks, ascended as the new rulers of the avian world. Peacocks came in six colors: Obsidian, Violet, Green, Blue, White, and Black. Obsidian was the most mythical; for three million years, no one had seen one, leading many to doubt its existence. Violet Peacocks were exceedingly rare, appearing only once every hundred millennia. Thus, within the Peacock Kingdom, Green Peacocks were the most esteemed, and Black Peacocks the most lowly. In my father’s generation, he sired only female peacocks. To secure the succession, he was forced to seek a son-in-law from outside the royal family. He promised the throne to whoever’s child with his daughter proved to be the noblest peacock. I was Father’s most beloved youngest princess, and his only Green Peacock daughter. So, on my coming-of-age day, every eligible male in the realm gathered outside the palace gates, vying for my hand. After rigorous selection, I chose Carbonell, also a Green Peacock. Father was extremely pleased with Carbonell; he was exceptionally handsome, considered the Peacock Kingdom’s foremost gentleman, and Father’s ideal heir. Father immediately announced his approval of the match, setting a date for our wedding. “Your Majesty, I do not wish to marry Princess Willow. This time, I request to marry Princess Seraphina.” I had just been reborn. Carbonell had released my hand and taken a step back, bowing before Father. A collective gasp swept through the assembled crowd. Even Seraphina looked stunned, though a look of thinly veiled glee quickly spread across her face. Seraphina was ten years my senior and still unmarried. This was because my mother was Father’s only officially wedded Queen, while Seraphina’s mother had been a lady-in-waiting who’d used underhanded tactics to gain Father’s favor. Thus, although Seraphina was also Father’s daughter, few truly treated her as a princess, and no one was willing to marry her. Everyone was perplexed as to why Carbonell, a noble Green Peacock, would choose an ordinary Blue Peacock. Only I knew that Carbonell, too, had been reborn. He chose Seraphina because, in our past life, Seraphina had married a Blue Peacock but had surprisingly borne a rare Violet Peacock. Meanwhile, I had given him a low-tier White Peacock. Faced with Carbonell’s choice, Father’s face darkened. “Nonsense! This is Willow’s royal courtship. If you wish to court Seraphina, you may approach me privately. You came to participate in the selection of a suitor, and Willow chose you, yet you scorn her. Where does that leave my daughter’s honor?” Father, advanced in years, valued his reputation above all else. Carbonell’s actions were undeniably a public slap in the face. Carbonell immediately knelt. “Your Majesty, it is not that I scorn Princess Willow, but because Princess Willow is of ill character. She has concealed her true identity as a Black Peacock and deceived everyone!” He spoke with righteous indignation, pointing accusingly at me. The entire hall fell silent, disbelief etched on every face. “What nonsense are you spouting? My Willow is no Black Peacock!” Before Father could speak, Mother stepped forward. 2 “Oh? If Your Majesty the Queen is so certain, why not let Princess Willow reveal her true form? If Princess Willow is a Green Peacock, then I, Carbonell, will offer my life in atonement.” Carbonell looked at Mother with disdain. “If not, then Princess Willow should offer her life in atonement, how about that?” Mother’s face darkened, her brow furrowed. Father’s expression shifted from shock to suspicion, his face instantly grim. More than reputation, Father valued lineage. He was a Green Peacock, yet his other daughters were merely common Blue Peacocks. So, upon my birth, hearing that my peacock color was noble, he had showered all his affection upon me. Now, hearing Carbonell claim I was the lowest-ranked Black Peacock, he practically crushed the armrest of his chair. Mother remained speechless for a long moment. Carbonell’s expression morphed from disdain to smugness. “It’s just revealing your true form, surely that’s not difficult? Is the Queen’s hesitation because I’m correct?” Mother’s face grew even more distressed. Just as she was about to speak, I stepped directly in front of her, openly admitting, “I am indeed not a Green Peacock.” Mother cried out, “Willow, how could you?” Carbonell was forcing me to reveal my true form precisely because he knew I wasn't a Green Peacock. In our past life, during childbirth, I had revealed my true form due to complications. That had shocked Carbonell. Because everyone believed I was Father’s only Green Peacock daughter, Carbonell had gone to great lengths to marry me. Peacock eggs match the peacock’s color, so after I laid a white egg, Carbonell was enraged. He not only smashed my egg but also slit the throat of my still-in-true-form self. Not only that, he then tossed my dying body into the back mountains, where numerous wild beasts tore me apart. “Good, good, good!” Carbonell laughed loudly, standing up and unfastening his ceremonial sword, throwing it at my feet. “Since you’ve admitted it, then Princess, please offer your life in atonement.” I said, “But I never claimed to be a Green Peacock. What crime have I committed?” When I was born, there were extraordinary phenomena in the sky. The entire Peacock Kingdom’s sky was filled with a rainbow of colors. Everyone said I was an auspicious omen. Only my mother, who bore me, knew that I was a dull, dark egg. She dismissed everyone and wrapped the egg in cloth. On the day I hatched, only she had seen my true form. From childhood, I had never claimed to be a Green Peacock. In my past life, before marrying Carbonell, I had sought him out and told him I was not actually a Green Peacock. At that time, Carbonell told me he didn’t mind; he loved me for who I was. I was touched by him and happily married him, fulfilling my duties as a wife after marriage. But it was only when I died that I learned. He had thought I was testing him, which was why he said those things. “Even if you never claimed to be a Green Peacock, you also never revealed your true form as a Black Peacock. You’ve enjoyed the royal family’s wealth and glory; this is deceiving the populace.” Although there was no law forbidding Black Peacocks from remaining in the royal family, ever since the third Peacock King, any Black Peacock appearing in the royal family would be banished. Just as I was about to say I wasn’t a Black Peacock either, Father spoke. “Enough, Carbonell. Since you wish to marry Seraphina, I shall grant you both a royal marriage.” Carbonell immediately knelt. “Thank Your Majesty. What about Princess Willow?” “Carbonell, this is my private family matter. How long do you intend to meddle?” Carbonell immediately understood Father’s meaning. “This subject is guilty.” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Carbonell led Seraphina away. As she passed me, Seraphina gave me a meaningful glance. She whispered in my ear, “You have your comeuppance today.” 3 Back at the palace, Father erupted in a furious rage. He demanded to know why Mother and I had deceived him. Just as I was about to tell him that while I wasn't a Green Peacock, I was certainly not a Black Peacock, Father waved his hand dismissively. “From today forward, I have no daughter named Willow. After Seraphina’s wedding next month, you are to leave the palace.” Father not only banished me but also placed Mother under house arrest. The news spread like wildfire, further solidifying my identity as a Black Peacock. In just one day, I went from being universally adored to universally scorned. My reputation plummeted, and naturally, no man would ever want to marry me. I accepted everything calmly. My days were spent either in my room or in the royal library. That afternoon, the weather was clear, the sun shining brightly. I called for a handmaiden and asked her to watch from below. I transformed into my true form and flew into the sky, momentarily eclipsing the sun. A few moments later, I landed and resumed my human form. “Princess, it’s just as you said! When you spread your wings, your entire body is a rainbow of colors, absolutely stunning!” The handmaiden praised profusely. “You truly are the most beautiful Black Peacock I’ve ever seen.” I smiled faintly. The handmaiden’s words confirmed my suspicion. Just as I was about to ask her to draw my true form, I heard a scoff. “A Black Peacock is still a Black Peacock. No matter how pretty, it’s still the lowest of the Peacock clan.” After the incident, my palace quarters were exceptionally quiet. Only she, it seemed, would bother to come and mock me. I looked up to see Seraphina, resplendent in elegant attire, standing at the doorway. Having caught the eye of Carbonell, the Peacock Kingdom’s foremost gentleman, Seraphina was basking in glory lately. Her clothing and daily provisions were even more luxurious than mine, the once-favored princess. She finally held her head high, parading her authority throughout the palace. I heard several handmaidens from her palace had mysteriously disappeared. “Little sister, how can you still have the nerve to stay in the palace? Father gave you a month’s grace out of respect for Mother. If you were sensible, you’d leave quickly and stop disgracing our royal family.” Seraphina had never liked me, even when I was a child. Only because she envied my favor. I sneered. “Why has my second sister come to my quarters? Are you looking for your handmaidens? Then you’ve come to the wrong place. They’re probably in the maw of the beasts in the back mountains. Aren’t you afraid their spirits will come to take you away if you wander carelessly?” Seraphina’s face paled, and she gritted her teeth. “What are you so proud of? You’re merely a cast-off of the royal family now, while I’m about to marry Carbonell. He’s the most noble Green Peacock, and he said that our union might produce an incredibly noble Violet Peacock.” I gave her a cold glance. “Is that so? Congratulations, congratulations. Then why don’t you hurry and go make babies with Carbonell? Though I should warn you, Carbonell doesn’t look like he can have children.” “How dare you slander my husband? You’re asking for death!” Seraphina raised her hand, aiming to strike me. But she had never been able to beat me in a fight since childhood. This time, she only managed to get hit. Before I could land a few blows, I was pulled away by a great force. Carbonell had appeared. “Who allowed you to bully Seraphina?” Seeing Carbonell, Seraphina instantly transformed into a delicate damsel, leaning into him, pointing at me and saying in a sickly sweet voice, “Carbonell, you’re finally here. She cursed me, saying I wouldn’t be able to bear your child.” “How could that be? You will definitely bear me a perfect Violet Peacock.” Carbonell gently caressed her face. “As for her, I doubt she’ll ever bear even a White Peacock in this lifetime.” Hearing that, I couldn’t help but let out a cynical “Ha!” “I wonder who won’t be able to bear children.” Carbonell’s face turned cold. Carbonell had a secret, known only to me. He was infertile. In my past life, when I learned this, I had wanted to say that having no children was fine; as long as we loved each other, nothing else mattered. Carbonell, however, didn’t see it that way. To secure the throne, he begged me to take the fertility herb, a plant that induces childbirth. That herb, once ingested, would consume one’s inner essence, draining all vital energy. That was why I revealed my true form during childbirth. Not only that, using this herb had severe side effects. Headaches and nausea were minor; the most unbearable symptom was an itch deep in the bones, no matter how much you scratched, it wouldn't go away. Perhaps fearing I would reveal more, Carbonell quickly led Seraphina away. After they left, the handmaiden came out with the finished drawing. The moment I saw the portrait, my pupils dilated. This painting completely confirmed my suspicions. I had spent these past days in the royal library, poring over ancient texts. Old records stated that Obsidian Peacocks were inherently dark in color, but under sunlight, they displayed a rainbow of hues. An Obsidian Peacock, after consuming the fertility herb, would lay a white egg, and upon hatching, a violet phoenix would emerge. So, I was not a Black Peacock at all. I was the legendary Obsidian Peacock. And my egg was not a White Peacock, but a high-grade Violet Peacock. Because no one had ever seen an Obsidian Peacock, Carbonell simply didn’t recognize its true value. Knowing this, I told no one. Now, everyone condemned me, and even if I spoke, no one would believe me. To prove myself, I would have to lay an egg and hatch it. Who could I find to lay an egg with? My reputation was ruined; no decent peacock would ever mate with me. There was no choice. I had to buy a husband from the black market. After some careful choosing, I finally picked one that was pleasing to the eye. His appearance was remarkably striking, though he was, unfortunately, a multi-colored rooster. No matter. Ancient texts stated that an Obsidian Peacock could mate with any bird and still produce an auspicious offspring of Violet Peacock or higher. As long as my genes were involved, the child would be perfect. The first day I brought the man home, I started stripping his clothes. His ears were beet-red, and he clutched the ties of his clothes tightly. “Pr-princess, don’t we need to… cultivate some feelings before… doing this?” Cultivate feelings? How troublesome. I released my grip, smiling at him. “How do you think we should cultivate them?” “At-at least we should get to know each other first.” “Oh.” I sat back down. “My name is Willow. What’s yours?” “Zach.” Alright. Done getting to know each other, I immediately pounced. Time for business.
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