Private meeting

Enrico's POV

I told her that we could discuss this matter with my brother. We are now on our way to the imperial palace. My confidant and some knights were guarding us. I ask for a larger carriage because I don't want my nephew, children, and wife to ride in other carriages.

I can protect them together, just in case we get into trouble. I look at my children. I can't believe that I have four children because of that one fateful night. I caress their faces and smile while looking at their peaceful sleeping faces.

"Thank you for bringing my children into this world, Kiara…" I whispered.

Prince Viciel and Kiara look at me. I know that they're surprised because of what I said. I smiled and both of them did too. We look at the kids. We arrived at the imperial palace in a few minutes.

"Oh my! The family is here!" the empress says.

We bow our heads and pay respect to her. My nephew ran to her mother's arms and she carried him right away. The door opens and the emperor enters the receiving hall. He smiled when he saw us. We also bow our heads to him.

"Im happy to see my younger brother with his woman. That's what I want from my proud brother. Let's get into the dining hall and have our dinner. I'm sure the food is already ready," my brother says.

We both nodded and followed them. After we settled in the dining room, we all ate first before talking about official matters in my brother's office. I knew he didn't want my nephew to learn that we might be facing war anytime soon.

As soon as I closed the door, we were seated on the couch and the empress was pouring tea into the cup. "I know that the two of you were not here for a simple dinner. Is there any problem?" my big brother asks. I sighed and spoke.

"Yes, big brother. I mean your majesty. My confidant Sam and Markus found out that Lou and Kate might be spies from the vampire kingdom. I told them to investigate their background and past and that's what we found out," I reported. They look at each other.

Kiara sips her tea and speaks. "I don't know if I have the right to draw conclusions but I have a hunch that the vampire king was an ally of the leader of the rebellious group in our empire. I think Lou and Arcel have been seeing each other ever since and... They tried to use my dad."

We look at her. I haven't thought of that conclusion but it makes sense, especially since her father died out of the blue.

"He might be their escape just in case Arcel's group and the vampire king attack Elementos. The vampire king might not be interested in colonizing our kingdom but I think his target is me," Kiara added.

My jaw clenched. How can I escape that thought and just focus on what we have learned? Arcel has been a problem in our kingdom since our father started his reign. Mother once told us that Arcel had been courting her and he was mad when Mother chose to accept her father.

"Arcel tries to conquer the palace but unfortunately, he fails. He killed our mother first and when dad tried to annihilate them, he was killed after four months. He will never stop until we are both dead and our family," big brother says, looking at the portrait.

This is our last portrait with our parents. I know Kate was aware that I've kept a distance from her and maybe they'll leave the capital as soon as they can.

I need to send one of my men to keep an eye on them. We heard the empress's sigh. It's rare for my sister-in-law to show such emotion.

"Is there a problem, my empress?" my brother asks.

"There will be war and that's for sure. But we shouldn't just focus on that. We have to think of the places where attacks will happen or the centers of the war. Civilians shouldn't suffer from this problem," she says.

My wife smiled. "I agree with what Empress Viviane says. We should guard the entry points and borders of the capital and the kingdom itself. Also, we need to plan a place for evacuation and hide those citizens who can't fight. Everyone can use their power, but children, old people, and other citizens who are afraid to fight should leave the battlefield once it breaks," Kiara added.

In the end, we talk about our evacuation plans and how to protect the borders of the capital and the kingdom itself. I also told my brother that the soldiers would start their heavy training and make sure that we knew the weaknesses and strengths of Arcel's group, especially the vampires that might come and join the war.

After many hours, we went to our room and my brother told me that we would discuss things further tomorrow. I opened my room and turned on the lights.

This was my room in the imperial palace when we were still kids, until I was 15. Prince Viciel asks us if his cousin can stay in his room and even if we're not sure about it, he eventually uses his card to persuade us. He knew how to get our permission easily.

"It looks like your brother and sister-in-law asked the maids to keep your room as clean as possible. It was spotless, as if you're still staying in the imperial palace."

I remember when my mother came to my room and read my favorite book and sang a song for me. My mom will come here and my dad will go to my brother's room and they'll exchange the next night. That's how they showered us with love without showing any favoritism between us.

"Yes. This room brings a lot of good and short memories between me and our parents," I remark.

She turns around and leans on the dresser. "The previous empress and emperor were remarkable parents because you and your brother were great parents too. It only means that you two are applying what you saw to your parents," Kiara commented. I smiled. I walk closer and nestle my face on her shoulder. I sighed softly.

"We're the only people in our kingdom that can use two elements. Everyone's expectations are on us. We're facing war now. Are you ready for such a dangerous war?"