Chapter 5: Emperor's decree

Enrico's POV

"Duchess Kiara, I know that you're emotional because of what your stepsister did that almost cost your life and one of your sons, but please. You have to act like a woman should, not because of your status or whatever," my brother responded. She still laughs mockingly.

"Duchess, huh? What a privilege title that every woman wants to achieve. This bitch even covets that title that she did such cowardice. Wow. What a shameful act. Maybe we should get divorce. Let me leave this empire. I don't want to be a man's possession again. Don't wait for me to curse the whole empire!"

Kiara walks away, and we are left in silence. My brother sighs and brushes his forehead. I know he was mad, and he'll surely make a judgment.

"Kate Callix, from now on you are banned to come in this palace or even in the whole city for three months! Stay to your stepdad's mansion in borderline. I will know if you come here. You will be beheaded if you set your foot within those months!"

I was surprised by what my brother said. How can he say those words as if they were nothing? I was about to speak when I couldn't breathe. He uses the wind to control the air in my body. He stops, and it makes me cough.

"I don't want to hear any more complaints, or else I will behead this woman who commits treason! Have you all forgotten that whoever tries to kill any of the royal family members should be killed right away?" my brother added.

Kate lost her balance and fell to the floor because she was surprised. We both thought that her stepdad would only punish her.

It looks like my brother is still keeping an eye on my marriage because he's the one who bestowed this marital arrangement.

Kate's mom helps her, and she didn't say a word because she knew that if she did, her daughter would die in front of her. My sister-in-law speaks.

"I told my husband how badly Kiara was treated because of you, Kate. How did I know? You've been bragging on how you hit and beat up your stepsister in a tea party. You forgot that I might arrive, and yet you bragged like a spoiled brat who bought a new pair of shoes," the empress says. Kate looked down and found herself guilty.

"Marquess Noah, you should discipline your household. You are losing your face because you're letting your second wife do anything she wants to your biological daughter," my brother warns.

"I apologize, your highness. I will surely do as you say," he replied.

My brother signed me up to take my seat. We continued eating in an awkward atmosphere. After that lunch, my brother says that he'll wait for me at my office in this palace. Kate and her mom went outside to wait for Kiara's dad. He checks on them.

I open the door and lock it. My brother turns around. "What kind of stupidity is this, Enrico?" he roared. It's time for me to speak!

I look at him straight ahead. "Kate is right, big brother. It was a mistake in the first place. Kiara must have tricked her 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 are scarier than you ever expected. Plus, if she leaves the empire, that man will surely take his chance. You know how much the werewolf empire desires Kiara's power and abilities, in fact I found out that he claims she is his mate."

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 after claiming her to be his mate.

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, she beared my children, which I hate.

"I don't love her, imperial brother. Just let me divorce her. I will marry Kate."