purification rite

Royal Palace

"Great One, you said that as long as I married my son to that girl, her star would bring good luck to my family and eliminate the root of heaven's wrath against my children. But now, two of my sons are in trouble," the king said, questioning the seer, who had finally come to see him.

The seer nodded and then closed his eyes, murmuring some words to himself. After a moment, he spoke: "Your second son might not be safe, but there is hope for the crown prince."

"Great One, I thought this marriage would protect my children!" The king was displeased with the response. Anastasia was not the ideal daughter-in-law for his family, but he had been willing to accept the match because she was favored by heaven. Yet, despite that, he had received news that his second son had been injured in battle, and now the crown prince had been kidnapped.