Athanasia

Arc 1: Her Origin (2)

"I wonder... how long can you last, sister?"

——o0o——

Raskreia Athanasia li Esperez was the eldest daughter of Venel Kingdom's Duke Ivan li Esperez and Cortez Kingdom's First Princess Jibril Viviare.

She was born on the 11th day of the 11th month in the 7th year of King Claudius' reign, and was decreed that she is to be the six years old Crown Prince Thaddeus' bride when they are of age.

As a five years old, she is a boisterous, cheerful but determined little girl even when she doesn't have time to play with girls near her age due to her Queen training. Only when she is done with her daily studies that she is allowed to play with Thaddeus to bond with him.

When she turned six, her mother died after giving birth to her twin brothers— Luciel Vincent and Lucifer Uriel. She became more tame and mature after that and even take care of the twins from time to time.

Unfortunately, her fiance Thaddeus died when she's 17, and her engagement changed to the Second Prince Keith, the son of King Claudius with his second wife. But at that time, who can actually predict that he would've been the reason for her downfall?

They got married when she turned 18 and he never once consumnated their marriage— not that she minded.

King Claudius' health started detoriating when they were 23, and he unexpectedly died when they are 25.

Keith, as the only Royal son was crowned King as expected. And after he became King, some court official's daughters started scheming to get on his bed.

He was drugged due to letting down his guard when they were 26, and he used her as an antidote. Unexpectedly, with only that sole union, they were blessed.

10 months later, she gave birth to a healthy prince, Kasimir Guildrestein.

The name 'Kasimir' means 'enforces peace', and that was what she wished for him. That he would be a wise and kind ruler when he grew up to inherit his father's throne.

The only living people she loved in this world is her father, her twin brothers and the new addition, her child. Her husband, sure she respected him but she doesn't love him at all.

Her decision not to love him was proven to be the right choice, because she doesn't have to experience the pain of the betrayal from your loved one along with the suffering of the lost of her child and her dignity. That would've broken her more.

——o0o——

Lying in the cold hard ground, Raskreia tried to get up by pushing her hands against it. Unfortunately, she had been drugged and there was no strength left in her body.

When black leather boots entered her line of sight, she immediately looked up, and saw his eyes looking down at her with disdain. What's more— he's holding her baby!

"Keith... What... is the.... m-meaning of this...?" She asked, stuttering with a hoarse voice.

He chuckled, then stepped on her hand, making her hiss in pain. "Foolish. You still don't understand? Well, let me explain."

He waved his hand and an a lovely pink eyed woman entered her line of sight. 'The one he planned to make his concubine? Gwenyth Lore?'

Gwenyth was pulled to his side, and she leaned on him lovingly. Raskreia was ignored as if she was merely trash littered on the floor.

"I intend to have my beloved woman as my official wife. You and this bastard of yours? Discarded." He suddenly threw up her child and with a flash, the separation of her child's head and body was reflected on her horrified eyes.

A shriek of agony almost came out of her mouth, but in the end, no sound was heard.

No one can actually describe the pain of losing a one's child. Someone that she nurtured in her womb for ten months—was killed. In. Front. Of. Her.

"He's...your child... too!!!" She exclaimed with gritted teeth, tears of despair staining her cheeks.

The man in standing in front of her pathetic form laughed as if he heard an interesting joke. His mocking eyes looked at the corpse of her poor baby.

"You're not worthy to bear my child."

———

Meanwhile, in Avant Heim— Upper Realm...

A beautiful woman watched the scene through a glass ball, her lips curved into an ugly sneer.

'Sister... surely, by now you should've accumulated enough resentment to fall to that place... By then, even your husband can't save you.'

——o0o——

"Well... this is quite an interesting de-ve-lop-ment~ " A lady with intense green eyes murmured in a humming tune.

"Your Majesty?" A little servant girl thought that she needed something and asked. Only the Empress can view the all-seeing mirror, after all.

The lady suddenly stood up and wore her majestic blood red hooded cloak, covering her grey hair and her upper face. Only her pale colorless lips were visible in her attire.

"Prepare a room, Jia. Someone has finally met the requirements of being my successor and I shall fetch her personally." She had waited for a long time to get off her stupid throne, after all.

"Yes, your majesty."

For other servants, they might plead the empress not to do so personally and let them do it instead. But Jia, as young as she might look, has already been with the empress for a long, long time.

In short— she was long used to her mistress' eccentric bullshit.