Chapter 15: The next leader of El Hago

Kiara's POV

I saw Kate and Lou's expressions turn pale. "No! There's no way that I didn't receive anything!" Lou roared.

I cross my arms and look at them with calmness and pride too. Kate looks at Enrico, and I know she's silently asking for his help.

I know Enrico loves Kate with all his heart, and I'm still afraid that my true enemy is my own husband. Enrico speaks and grabs the paper.

"Lady Lou was still your father's second wife. How come she didn't receive anything?" Enrico asks.

"I don't know. Father and I didn't get along well for the past years, and for some reason he left this envelope before he went back to El Hago. He just told me to never open this envelope unless he died. I feel like he knew that something bad would happen," I asserted.

But I made sure they realized that I meant something else. Lou glares at me and starts pointing her finger in my face. I know she will try to claim half of the fortune because dad officially marries her. That's also a surprise on my part.

"You! You must have devoid these papers. This must be fake! I will bring this matter to the imperial court! I will prove to everyone that you are a greedy daughter and an unfilial one!" Lou roared.

I was hurt because of what she said. I groan when my head hurts. I remember that Kate hit me with a stick. She forgot about the contract that she signed.

I have to be careful if Kate comes over every now and then. I have to protect my kids too.

"This is not happening! I've been the one who acts like his loving daughter, not you!" Kate roared. Lou was about to touch me when we heard a noise outside.

"The imperial family is here!" the chancellor roared and announced their arrival.

The door opens, and we're surprised that they suddenly pay a visit. They were with me when Dad was being cremated, and I didn't expect them to come over today.

We all bow our heads to them and show our respect. Viciel smiled and ran towards me.

"Greetings to the royal aunt!" he says, smiling sweetly.

I smiled and brushed his head. "Viciel, honey, would you mind leaving us for a bit? Jane, can you escort Viciel to where his cousins are?" the empress suggested. Jane bowed her head, and Viciel followed her right away.

"I heard that Kate was here and forgot about the conditions written in the contract," Emperor Luciel says.

Kate and Lou turned pale because of what he said. Empress Viviane went by my side and checked on me.

She's like a sister that I never had, even as Kiara or Kallie. I feel happy and secure when she's around me.

"It looks like Lady Lou and Lady Kate learned about Marquis Noah's will and testament," Emperor Luciel added, seeing the papers on the table. Lou speaks.

"Your majesty, I think the duchess forged the papers that my husband left. Please, hear us out," Lou accuses.

"Your majesty, I'd never do such a thing!" I defended.

Kate was about to speak when the emperor raised his hand. "Wait a second. Duchess Kiara, what is this?" empress Viviane asks.

She notices the bandage on my head. She looks at Kate, and because of her reaction, the emperor and empress learned what she did.

The emperor looks at my husband. I have to stand up for my husband.

"Your majesty, it's not what you think! Enrico has nothing to do with this!" I roared.

Enrico was surprised by what I did. Empress Viviane looks mad because of it.

"Then what? You lost your father and you're bullied in your household. You will just say it's not like that?"

"It's not like that. Yes, Kate hit me, but it has nothing to do with my husband. Your highness, please..." I begged.

"S-she deserves it! She's trying to seduce Enrico!"

The emperor scoffs and glares at Kate. "She can seduce Enrico any time she wants. She's the wife!" he asserted.

Lou was supposed to fight back, but the empress glares at her devilishly. They are royal and powerful element users as well.

"She never forges or makes a fake will and testament. Before Marquis Noah left the capital, he gave me a copy of that paper."

"Every property he owned and even the lands where he leads will be taken care of by Duchess Kiara. The two of you will be kicked out of Noah's mansion and get nothing in return."

"No! This is ridiculous! You are all siding with this woman, and now you expect me to believe that piece of papers?!" Lou roared.

The chancellor pointed his sword at Lou's neck after she screamed at the emperor.

"Enrico, speak for us!" Kate roared. Enrico sighed.

"From the start, I knew that the paper was not fake or forging. I will respect what Marquis Noah requested. If Kiara will kick the two of you out, then it's her choice."

Kate was about to approach him when the knights got in between them.

I feel bad for this, but I know dad wants to give me a clue, and I have to know what those are.

"Let's go, Kate! We're not done yet!" Lou roared at me.

She dragged her daughter out. The emperor nodded at the knights, and they escorted those two out of the palace.

"We will also take our leave. Viciel will be staying for tonight. He says that he misses his cousins already. Viviane, let's go. Enrico, come to the royal palace tomorrow morning," emperor Luciel says.

The empress kissed my cheek and went to the emperor. We bow our heads and watch them as they walk away. We are left alone in the living room.

My knees feel soft, and I lost my balance along the way. I don't know what I should do next. If I become the next leader for El Hago, that will be heavy duty on my side.

I'm already a duchess, and I'm having trouble myself. I gasp when someone holds me from behind and carries me like a princess. Of course, it's none other than my husband.

As soon as we got inside our room, he laid me down on the bed. Enrico checks my forehead and looks at me.

"I need to talk to you, and you have to answer me," he says.