Chapter 14: Her decision

In the past few days I don't know but I had been different towards Kiara, she isn't that girl I used to know, she has changed and I was beginning to know her.

I was only my way to my room when I saw Kiara training, it was quite impressive.. I mean she never trained herself.

I turned around to leave when I heard Kate's voice, "Stay away from Enrico and stop playing weak to get him close to you!" Really? she was blaming Kiara of subducting me? I turned to face them I wanted to see what was going to happen.

"Excuse me? What are you even talking about?" Kiara in turn asked, i felt a twinge of anger in her voice, off course who wouldn't be mad on being accused, I mean I would have felt it if that's what Kiara was doing.

"Don't play dumb, Kiara. I know what you're doing. You're trying to get close to Enrico so that he'll fall for you. But let me tell you, it's not going to work. Enrico is a loyal man; he would never betray me," Kate retorted, the venom in her voice made me raise an eyebrow.

"You're delusional, Kate. I have no interest in your husband; he is my husband. And even if I did, I wouldn't stoop so low as to try and steal him from you," kiara said, with her voice rising with every word, their word war was quite interesting, but I knew that If I didn't get involved then thing would get out of hand.

"What's going on?"

They both turned around to see me standing behind them with anger etched on my face. They both froze, not knowing what to say or do.

"What's going on here?" I asked again, my gaze shifting between Kate and Kiara.

Kate was the first to answer which was expected, "I caught Kiara trying to seduce you, Enrico. I had to warn her to back off," she said, I could only sigh.

I was dumbfounded, what would I do to make Kate believe that I love only her? "That's not true, Kate. She would never do something like that," i said.

my gaze softened as i turned to Kiara and said, "I trust you, Kiara. I know you wouldn't do something like that. And Kate, I don't appreciate you throwing baseless accusations around. Kiara is my wife, and I expect you to treat her with respect," I said, with my voice firm and commanding.

i could see that she was quite surprised that I stood up for her.

 "What respect?" I hear her saying but what I didn't see coming was when Kate took a stick from the floor and struck it on Kiara's face.

"Ah!" I heard Kiara.

My anger boiled over as i watched Kate strike Kiara. Without hesitation, i rushed to Kiara's side, scooping her up in my arms and carrying her away from Kate.

I felt Kiara's body tremble as I held her close, her breaths coming out in short gasps.

I took her to my room, not trusting anyone else to take care of her. I gently placed her on the bed and examined the wound on her face. It wasn't too deep, but it was bleeding quite a bit.

I quickly went to fetch some water and a clean cloth, gently cleaning the wound.

As I tended to Kiara's wound, I couldn't help but feel a deep anger towards Kate. I knew that she was self-centered and jealous of Kiara, but I didn't expect her to lash out like this. I made a mental note to talk to Kate privately and set things straight.

Once I was done cleaning Kiara's wound, I sat down next to her on the bed. "How are you feeling?" I asked softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Kiara looked up at me with teary eyes. "I'm fine, Enrico," she said, her voice trembling.

I sighed, taking her hand in mine. "I'm sorry, Kiara. I should have done something to stop Kate before it got this far."

"It's not your fault, Enrico. It's Kate's. She's the one who needs to take responsibility for her actions," Kiara replied, her voice gaining some strength.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride towards Kiara.

After she gave birth to our children she became strong-willed and brave, even in the face of adversity.

"What the hell, Kate?!" I yelled, glaring at her in anger, as soon as I saw her walk into the room.

"She's lying! Just look at her, Enrico. She's manipulating you!" Kate shouted back, but I wasn't listening to her anymore.

"We need to talk, Kate. Privately," I said, my voice cold and distant.

As soon as we left the room, I turn to Kate and said, "What the hell was that? You can't just hit her like that!"

"She was getting in the way of us, Enrico. Don't you see? She's taking up all your time and attention! I just had to do something," Kate replied, trying to justify herself.

I couldn't believe her selfishness, "Kate, Kiara is my wife. But I love you, and I don't know how to prove it to you anymore, I can't believe you would try to hurt her just because you're jealous."

Kate tried to argue, but I wouldn't listen. It was clear to me that Kate was self-centered and jealous of Kiara, and I couldn't let her behaviors continue.

"Stop this now." I said and walked out on her.

~~~

We received Kiara's father ashes, his urn would stay in the palace, serving as a reminder of a great man's memory.

Before we knew it, it was time for Lou, Kate, the emperor, and empress to leave. Kiara had one final announcement to make, and I knew that it was something important.

"Before you leave, I have something to say," Kiara spoke up, her voice ringing out in the room. "My father's last will states that Lou and Kate won't inherit everything. And as for my family's house, I am kicking both of you out. You have no place there anymore."