Chapter 16: Cold, warm, and complicated

Enrico's POV

Kiara looks at me, and she's giving me cold glances. "What is it? Are you going to ask if I fake it or even beg your own brother and sister-in-law to be on my side?" she coldly asks. I sighed and sat next to her.

"Does it still hurt?" I ask.

I witnessed how Kate strongly hit her with that stick. Her head had a deep cut that caused the bleeding.

I was about to touch her when she turned around and faced the other side. She speaks again.

"Just tell me what you want, and I will answer it."

"Are you going to accept your father's wish? He stated that you'll be leading El Hago if something bad happens to him. El Hago is the place where most of the farm and food products were produced and distributed throughout the empire."

I took a halt and looked at the ceiling after pinning my hands on the bed. It looks like my brother accepts Marquis Noah's decision.

El Hago is a rural area on the east side of the imperial capital. It will be a three-hour journey from here to that place.

"Yes. I will accept it. You and Kate can freely meet in every way possible. Leave me now. I want to rest. My head is aching, and I have no further things to discuss with you," she coldly says.

I turn around and look at her back. She will accept it. I have to discuss this matter with my brother tomorrow. I know he'll scold me again.

"Shall we sleep together again, huh?" I ask. She gets up and looks at me with those fierce and sad eyes of hers.

"Then what? You will say again that we will never do it again? That what you did in that place will never happen again? Are you really that asshole?"

"Stop acting so nice because deep inside you wish to kill me. Just stay away from me and I will devoid that contract as soon as possible! I hate you! I HATE you!" she roared loudly.

Kiara's words suddenly hit me. I shouldn't feel this pain, but what is wrong with me?

I was offended and hurt when she asserted how much she hated me. Damn it!

She laid down on the bed again and pulled out the quilt. I left the bed but stayed on the couch.

I closed my eyes and decided to take a nap as well. I have to clear my head and decide what I really want. On what I should do.

…

"Kiara? What are you doing there? Come here and don't stand on the porch!" I roared.

I want to run towards her, but I can't move my body. What the hell is going on?

"I'm already tired, Enrico. You will never take care of me. You will never look at me. I will always be your hated wife. I've had enough," Kiara says.

As soon as she turned her face to look at him, he saw those tears streaming down her cheeks. She was crying. Why can't I move? I have to stop her.

She's planning to do! My eyes dilated, and everything turned black when I saw Kiara jump off the highest tower of the imperial palace. I want to scream, but my words won't come out.

"Kiara!" I roared.

I got up and breathed heavily. I turn around and dash towards the bed. I held her in my arms and noticed that she was shaking. She's burning too!

She's having a fever. Kiara's breath was heavy, and her bandage was already dripping with blood. I have to call the imperial physician. 

I think her wound is already infected, which is why she has this fever. I put her down. I was walking towards the door when I tiptoed myself.

Something comes out of my pocket. I grab the bottle and notice that it's an elixir. I remember when the empress walked beside me.

I feel like she put something in my pocket after tapping my shoulder. I went to her and opened the bottle.

I poured a drop on her lips, but she's not drinking it. I drink all the liquid in my mouth.

I held Kiara in my arms and held her chin. I kissed her and forced her lips to open.

When it does, I start transferring the potion to her lips. She accepts it, and after a few seconds, she coughs and opens her eyes.

"Uhmp!" she gasps.

I let her go, and I saw how red her cheeks were. She was about to push me when I grabbed her hands.

I licked the side of her lips when I saw the stain of the potion on it. She was about to speak, but I did first.

"Let me see your wound," I stated.

I let her go and took off the bandage around her forehead. I checked her cut right away and noticed that it was gone already.

I'm glad the potion healed her right away. I wonder if my sister-in-law notices that Kiara's wound is serious. She pushed me.

"I said stay away from me. Leave me alone!" she roared.

We are both surprised when her tears fall. I suddenly remembered that nightmare that I had. I raise my hand, and Kiara bites my palm.

I gasp and let her do as she pleases. She lets go and realizes what she did.

"Why you didn't..." Kiara pauses and looks down.

"I'm sorry. Can you please leave? I look horrible, and I don't want to show you this side of me," she whispers.

I feel guilty because of what happened, and I know I'm the reason she cried like that.

I move closer to her side and leave a mark on her neck. I mean a hickey.

"Have some rest," I whispered after.

I kiss her cheek and leave her alone. I close my eyes as soon as the door closes. I saw Viciel sitting on the balcony while drinking a cup of coffee.

I went to him, and he signed me up to sit on the other chair. The maids left us alone.

"I'm glad you're taking good care of Aunt Kiara and my cousin's uncle. I'm sure your father will be proud of you."

"Viciel, why do you love your aunt Kiara?" I ask.

"I already told you, royal uncle. She's the perfect girl for you. Don't tell me you forgot how aunt Kiara saved you last year? She is the reason why you arrived in the royal palace safely," Viciel says.

Last year? Is he talking about the assassination that I got involved in? How did he know about that matter? He was just six at the time.

I gulp. "It was Kate and Lou who saved me that time. What are you talking about, Viciel?" I ask him seriously.