Golden Child

Born as a child out of love between the emperor and the chief mistress and later the late queen, his destiny was something that has been laid in a path of roses. The golden child favored both by the king and the nobles.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Right. Lucas had everything. But his belief of his destiny to become great made him want more. 'So that'll be your downfall, dear brother.'

"I am relinquishing my succession rights, brother."

A coy smile formed on her lips as Lucas stared in shock. 'Don't be too blinded or I might sweep in and take everything you have.'

Alas that's a fantasy for now, Latia.

***

"I- I'm, I'm alive" She said panting as she clutched her chest. Reality finally began to sink in.

The sun peeked through her windows as she felt a rush of energy flow through her veins. 'She said I won't die immediately so let's just trust her. I have nothing to lose anyway.'

A smile formed on her face, she couldn't help but tear up realizing she survived. 'Despite everything, despite being hated... I survived.'

"Hah…" What am I going to do?

She immediately ran to her desk once she collected herself. Despite her emotions there was no time to spare. There was no certainty of until when the woman's power would stop an angel's curse.

'Raphaelis. I thought it was just a folk's tale.' A legend which gained popularity as a curse for sinners. Characterized as a sickness caused by an angel's curse for someone who has sinned one to many times, Raphaelis is a rotting of the soul.

Her weak body, constant coughing up of blood, episodes of fainting. She tried desperately to hide these things.

'I don't want to be seen as weak.'

Her face fell to her hands in frustration. "How can I protect myself while trying to find a cure and plotting to bring them down?"

It was an impossible task. Still, if one thing she was a stubborn person.

'I was brought back earlier than expected.' She remarked, looking at the imperial calendar she kept at her desk. Three years before I was finally imprisoned and succumbed to the illness.

It was then she came up with an idea. 'Lucas, that bastard. He is obsessed with the throne thus he decided to get rid of me.'

Latia was a child between the emperor and the former empress of a powerful family making her a more legitimate heir but no one cares about that you know? After all, the emperor clearly had a favorite.

'Still he's paranoid, though I did covet the throne, there was no way I could take it at my current state.'

***

"I will relinquish my right to succession."