Enrico's POV
I look at him straight ahead. "Kate is right, big brother. It was a mistake in the first place. Kiara must have tricked his dad, and that's the reason why she's the one who came to that wedding ceremony!"
He laughs, and his face turns serious again. My brother, Luciel Callix, is known for her fair judgment. He never makes a mistake when it comes to making laws or even implementing them. That's why his people trust and love him.
I never dreamed of becoming an emperor, which is why I would never wage a war for the throne. His sleek blonde hair, gray eyes, wicked nose, thick lips, and square-shaped face are something noble ladies dream of marrying off. His love story with Empress Viviane is also tricky, but they survive.
"Mistake? Did you know what Kate says when I send that decree? My royal assistant went there to pass that decree and accidentally heard her sentiments. She said that marrying that famous ice demon duke means death for me!" he scoffs after taking a halt.
"No, you're just making stories!" I exclaimed. He glared at me.
"She believes the rumor that you're ugly, covered with hair like a bear, and had pimples all over your face. That's why Apollo told Marquess Noah to send his older daughter if Kate didn't want to marry you! I already accepted your request to marry that woman, but she declined. You have to accept it," big brother says. I shook my head. He grabbed my collar and pinned me to the wall. He speaks.
"Enrico, don't make me lose control. You know what I'm capable of. Now, listen to what I said and do it, understood?"
He is waiting for my answer, and I end up nodding. My brother lets me go and crosses his arms after staring at me. He looks at me and sighs.
"You're already a dad, Enrico. I don't know what you even like about that woman, but at least, man up! You have to realize that you're not only dragging the royal family's name but also your dignity as a man. Viviane told me that Kiara had changed."
He faces the window and looks at the blue sky. "I tag along with them because your nephew wants to meet his cousins. I witnessed how she changed and it was alarming, Enrico. A woman when they changed, they were scarier than you ever expected. Plus, if she left the empire, that man will surely take his chance. You know how much the werewolf empire desires Kiara's power and abilities."
I close my eyes. My brother was surprised when a party in the imperial palace was held and several emperors of different empires came, and the alpha king was devastated when he learned that Kiara was married off to the royal family.
It looks like he comes over in the hope that Kiara will come because she's the daughter of a marquess.
He was supposed to ask my brother and my father-in-law for Kiara's hand in marriage. It's been a year since we got married, and because of that one mistake, he bears my children, which I hate.
"I don't love her, imperial brother. Just let me divorce her. I will marry Kate. I can take care of the quadruplets, and they'll stay here with me," I suggested. He turned around and groaned in anger.
"And you think they won't live in hell because of your selfish desire and having the stepmom that their mother has? You're not a stupid man, Enrico, and you know that. Don't make me lose me madder. I am not keeping Kiara with you because he's also exceptional like yours. I just knew that she's a woman that can take care of your household. Enrico, give your marriage a chance."
I look at him. I know it's hard to change my brother's mind, especially now that he's made up his mind. I have to give him another way.
"In three months, I'll try to work my relationship with Kiara. But in exchange, lift the ban on Kate. In exchange, she can't take a step in my palace for three months, and if we meet outside, your royal knights can guard us. I hope you will agree to that."
He looks at me and gives me that stern expression. "Then Kate should sign a contract. Once she fails to meet the conditions, she will die," big brother says. He's really a cunning man.
"Alright," I agreed.
He summoned Kate and explained everything. Kate signed the paper, and her blood sealed the contract.
That kind of contract was used to control a person based on the conditions that the contract had. The empress kept the contract, and look at me.
"You should sign this contract as well. I already talked to Kiara and she agreed. She already signed this paper. Once you cheat on her with this woman, she and your children will be sent off to the werewolf empire right away," my sister-in-law says.
Wait, that kingdom? She should've been cast out of the Hybrid Empire. Cast-outs can also stay in that empire. I read the contract and was surprised by the conditions that are written on it.
Once she left the empire, she already cut ties with this country, and if the alpha kind wants to raise a war against us, her loyalty will be to him. She is ready to conquer the kingdom alongside him and my children!
"This is absurd!" I roared.
The empress looked at me with mad eyes, and I knew she'd been trying to hold back her anger. It's also written in this contract that I shouldn't beat her up or abuse Kiara.
I have to be an attentive husband, do all my marital duties, and make her happy. Another one is to be a loving father and take care of the quadruplets as well.
I read the other two, and she'll take half of my wealth to support our sons. Lastly, my head and Kate's will fall using her sword... Kiara will kill me and Kate! What the fuck!
"This is your fault and this woman's as well. You two have turned Kiara into a villain and accepted whatever she'll do. Did you know that a weak woman holds the scariest dark side? You shouldn't have awakened that side of hers, my brother-in-law," she commented.
She looks at me, and I know I have no choice. This is all her fault! I grabbed the pen and signed the contract. I even cut my finger and sealed it with my own blood.
Kate is not talking because she knows how mad my brother and sister-in-law are. The door opened, and Kiara came in.
Her eyes were emotionless. She made a curtsy and kneeled in front of them. They look at her with a surprised expression.
"Your highness and your majesty, I have a favor to ask. Can Viciel stay here for a week?" she asks. I blink, and so do they. She stands up, and her eyes suddenly glow, and I wasn't expecting that.
"His highness is so cute, and the quadruplets seem to be enjoying his presence. If you only see how much he played with them. Kyahh! He's so cute! He can be a good big brother!" she says.
The empress burst into laughter. Kiara grasped the skirt of her dress and pouted. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You were just a dragoness a while ago, and now you're this cute. You've changed a lot after giving birth, duchess Kiara," the empress says. Her expression softens.
"I don't know, your majesty. I don't know..." Kiara murmurs and looks away.
My brother glares at me. Kate stood up and walked away without bidding farewell. Kiara sighs and bows her head.
"I'm sorry for my stepsister's attitude," Kiara apologizes. I knew she was acting, and I will prove that to my brother and sister-in-law.
"We will talk to Viciel and see if he agrees, and if he agrees, he can stay here for a week. You only need to keep an eye on him. He's adventurous and wants to read stories before bedtime," my brother says. She suddenly stuck out her thumb and smiled at the couple.
"Leave it to me, your highness. I'm good at reading stories!" Kiara exclaims. The door opened, and it was Viciel. He bows his head.
"Greetings to mother and father, as well as to my royal uncle."
"Your aunt Kiara was telling us that she wants you to stay here for a week. Your cousins seem to like you, my dear," his mom says.
His eyes twinkled as well. "Can I be a royal mother? My cousins were so cute! They laugh when I make peekaboo!" Viciel says in excitement.
My brother's expression softens as he looks at my nephew. He patted his head, and both of them nodded. He turned around and hugged Kiara.
This woman must really have a soft spot for kids. They stood up and looked at the two of us. My brother speaks.
"Enrico, come with us. Let's go," he says. They grabbed Viciel's hands, and he also signed Kiara to follow. Kiara looks at me.