Hermina Eloise

A woman with brilliant golden hair shined against the deep night. Anyone would be simply captured by her beauty but no one dared to come near her.

"A life of solitude." It was fitting for the once-great archangel of the heavens.

That was the first instance of the curse.

.

.

.

"Whose story is this?" She wondered. She wasn't too familiar with her family's history. Due to her father's fear of them controlling the throne, correspondence was forbidden.

Still, she knew that her grandmother wasn't someone who randomly travelled around the world-- she was a protected heir.

'It must be distant family then?'

She continued to read the book.

***

[Dear Reader,

If you are reading this perhaps a terrible fate has befallen on you. Don't be afraid however, detailed in this book are the various ways <The Angel's Curse> presented.

It was never a myth or a legend. I would know.]

'Why is it so menacing?' In any case, she came to the conclusion that perhaps, 'My family knows more than what they let on.'

"I need to meet them."

Once again her decision to revoke her succesion right is useful. 'Perhaps, I would be allowed this time.' She couldn't rely on that though...

'As a last resort, I may have to rely on... him.'

***

"Your Grace." The duke bowed in the presence of the matriarch. Hermina Eloise, the head of the most powerful family of dark mages, surely there was no one with a greater presence.

She was an eccentric recluse who refused to attend social events.

"What has the young man of Cairo have to do with me?"

He smiled despite the slight to his status. "Aren't you interested on the business of your grandchild?"

Her aura tightened around him. "What are you trying to say?"

"I have enough reasons to believe that her life is in danger."

"And why would that be?"

"The lady has cut off correspondence with me."

"..."

"I didn't know you were her lover..."

"My lady-"

"Perhaps she was just bored with you." Hermina smiled, pleased with herself.

"That is not the only reason..." He hesitated for a bit, unsure of disclosing this information.

"She had her men look into Raphaelis."

At those words her eyes turned instantly serious. It was a familiar word, perhaps even a painful one. Cairo felt her change in mood.

"I ask you to grant me permission to investigate this matter."

Hermina recalled her late daughter's eyes as she imagined the pain Latia could be going through. She looked at the young man in front of him with a menacing stare.

"If you harm her... I will personally cut your throat."