My ex-husband proposed to my sister

chapter 3

"Enough," my father said coldly. "It's getting late. Begin the Sacred Bonding."

The four of us stepped into the ritual formation. Thunder cracked in the sky, and with the altar as a conduit, spiritual energy was drawn from each of us, carving the bond into our very bones.

But the difference in strength between the Phoenix Court and the serpent clan was immense. Soon, both Barton and the white serpent began to falter. Drained of power, they both struggled to withstand the pressure.

"Princess... please, help me..." Barton collapsed beneath the force of the divine will, blood slipping from the corner of his mouth. He could barely speak as he begged.

Bella was about to step forward when Father stopped her.

"Black serpent," he said, his tone cutting, "you should consider yourself lucky to even be matched with my daughter. If you can't endure this, then it's your fate, nothing more."

Barton stared wide-eyed at Bella, the same woman who had blushed and accepted him moments ago. But now she stepped back, calm and composed.

"Barton," she said evenly, "I'm the next heir to the Phoenix Court. Every bit of my spiritual energy is precious. I can't give it to you."

Disbelief shattered across his face.

Meanwhile, Patrick began to falter as well.

I moved instinctively to help him, but he suddenly pulled back, avoiding my touch.

"Princess Venus," he said, breathless, "Princess Bella is right. If I can't even survive this bond, then I'm not worthy of you."

I almost laughed from the absurdity of it.

"You think you're lowborn just because they say you are? If we're forming a contract, that means we share life and death. Cut the nonsense."

I grabbed his shoulder and poured my spiritual energy into him.

And at last, the ceremony was complete.

Barton was drenched in sweat, kneeling where he stood, his lips stained with blood.

Patrick, in contrast, remained completely unharmed.

I felt Barton's gaze on me and turned. Our eyes met.

His stare was dark and accusing.

But I remembered, in my last life, he was rarely injured. Every wound, every blow, I had taken for him.

Now, after choosing the clan's preordained heir, he nearly died sealing the contract. And he still dared to look at me like that?

I mouthed: Serves you right!

Bella didn't notice the exchange. She was busy drawing in spiritual energy, her face glowing with satisfaction.

"Father," she said, "the heavens have spoken. I am ready to receive the inheritance."

The entire Phoenix Court stirred with excitement.

Each time a successor inherited the Court's legacy, they performed the sacred Dance of the Hundred Birds.

The energy contained in that ritual could break barrierseven raise one's divine refinement to an entirely new realm.

My father beamed with joy.

The altar was cleared, a sacred circle forming around Bella as she stepped into the center.

She turned to me, her voice mocking beneath a veneer of grace.

"Venus, I know you're bitter that Barton chose me, but that's no reason to interfere with the sacred dance ritual. Surely you wouldn't drag the entire clan down over a petty grudge?"

The crowd began to stir, their patience wearing thin.

Some who had never liked me were quick to speak out.

"Princess Venus, whatever problems you have with Princess Bella, handle them privately."

"Exactly. Don't ruin the sacred rite for the rest of us."

"The black serpent was rightcompared to Princess Bella, you fall short in every way."

"If I were him, I'd choose her without a second thought."

Barton smiled smugly.

"Venus, everyone sees the truth. I must have been blind to have followed you."

Patrick stepped in front of him, frowning, pushing Barton aside with quiet force. Then he reached out and gently covered my ears.

"Don't listen to them," he said. "They're full of nonsense."

Just like that, the weight in my chest eased.

I smiled at him, then turned my gaze back to Bella, who stood basking in her imagined triumph.

My voice was steady. "Bella, you won't become the heir. You won't receive the inheritance. If you try to force it, you'll lose your divine refinement entirely."

Everyone froze for a moment.

Then the entire crowd burst into laughter.

Barton crossed his arms and gave me a slow, mocking once-over, his face full of disdain.

"And who are you to judge Princess Bella? If she isn't fit to be the heir, what, you think you are?"

My father's expression darkened, anger flaring beneath the surface.

"Enough!" he snapped. "Venus, step asidenow!"

He flung his sleeve, releasing a wave of spiritual force that swept both Patrick and me out of the ritual space.

Bella glanced over at me, eyes gleaming with challenge.

"Watch closely, Venus," she said with a sneer. "And see for yourself just how much stronger I am than a useless waste like you."

Then she began the sacred Dance of the Hundred Birds.

Power burst outward, rippling in waves from the center of the altar.

In an instant, the sky darkened. A multitude of birds descended, thunder rumbling in the distance, as if dusk had fallen in broad daylight.

Bella moved with practiced grace, her waist swaying lightly, each motion fluid and precise.

Magpies took the lead, gathering in reverence before her.

One by one, other birds followed, forming intricate patterns that shimmered with radiant light. Vast energy wove through them, forming a brilliant net suspended in the air.

The crowd watched in a trance, mesmerized.

The overflowing spiritual energy began to spread, meant to nourish and strengthen everyone present.

But soon, whispers of confusion began to rise.

"Strange... why can't I absorb any of the energy?"

"I can't either!"

"It's like it's just passing by menone of it is being drawn in."

More and more people noticed something was off.

Their eyes slowly lifted to the altar, where Bella was still dancing, lost in her own sense of glory.

When the final step landed, she bowed deeply to the heavens and declared in a loud, reverent voice, "I, Bella, First Princess of the Phoenix Court, humbly request to receive the inheritance."

Silence.

Unease flickered across her face. She lowered herself to the ground again, her tone more desperate, more devout.

"I, Bella, First Princess of the Phoenix Court, humbly request to receive the inheritance!"

This time, there was an answer.

I stood beside Patrick, casually rubbing my ear, and said with all seriousness, "You can stop shouting. I refuse."