Forced Marriage: Thirteenth Wife
86

"Then where's Graean?" ask the Family Leader again. "Let me take him also make sure he's punished."

Elios rose from his kneeling position. "The woman is dead, Uncle. He blew himself up out of annoyance. Crazy woman, right?"

Both Arkas and the Family Leader felt the peculiarity of this. But they can't be sure of anything.

There is no point in investigating if Elios himself said his wife was the perpetrator. To be right to be wrong, they do not seek justice but a reason that can be heard.

"So that's it." The Family Leader glanced at the ruins of Elios castle. "Make sure the fire goes out and immediately do the rebuilding. Meanwhile—"

"Bring everyone but Elios to the Rose Castle." Arkas cuts off his father's words with angry blazing eyes.

He knows his father was just about to say Elios was also taken, but Arcas remembers his vow. He could not let Elios step on Narendra's land anymore. Elios was banished to this place because Arkas could not accept him anymore.

So no. Whatever the reason, no.

"Arc." The Family Leader looked at his eldest son. "Where would you put Elios if not in the main residence?"

Arkas glanced coldly at his father. "Wherever it comes from isn't Narendra."

"It's an emergency situation. Let's take Elios and put him in an underground cage, if you're disturbed—"

"I'm distracted by her whereabouts, Dad. I'm distracted at everything about this kid."

Elios is grinning. "It's good to see you whining at this age, Brother."

"Elios, shut up." The Family Leader sighed. "Arkas, listen. I know Irene made you hate Elios, but Elios was, after all, the son of your uncle, Father's brother. Only until this place can be re-located, take Elios with us."

Madame Medea who had been listening since then finally came forward, closing in on Arkas.

"Young Master."

The woman holds the hand of Arkas who always treats her like a mother even if she hates Elios.

"Even if Elios sinned, it did not change the fact that he was the son I was born with. Please, broaden your heart and give it a chance. I'm also insulted if my son is insulted."

"Auntie."

"Young Master." Mariana ventured forward on that conversation. "If Young Master Elios stays here, his wives will also remain here. That's all I want to say."

Actually Arkas knew that he had to agree. Logically, too, he knew that this was an urgent situation in which Elios inevitably had to return.

Arkas did not intentionally break his vow. Arkas did not intentionally keep his promise to Eirene. But, even if it was only for a short while, even if it wasn't for a week, Arkas felt very unable.

He can't.

He doesn't want to.

Elios, Elios, Elios!

"Cage him." Arkas mutters. "Hands, feet, eyes, mouth, everything be sure to shackle. Treat him like a dog, not my brother."

But looking into Medea's eyes, the mother of Elios, Arcas smiled. "Don't worry, Auntie. I won't worry Aunt too much."

Elios was still laughing at that. Really, it seems like he and Arkas were born to hate each other.

As if not satisfied enough to insult Elios, Arkas let Dioris lock him up. The man Elios hated was half crazy a long time ago.

"I warned you not to appear before me" Elios whispered as his hand was chained. "Don't blame me for killing you later."

Dioris pretended not to hear, putting a long iron between Elios's mouth so as not to speak anymore.

Elios is the only Narendra to be insulted like this. If Graean saw, he would definitely prostrate at Arkas' feet for this humiliation to end.

You promised to stay with me, Elios whispered to the woman.

You told me to go all in my favor and stay with me, but Graean, I think you're a traitor.

He left Elios speechless. Hah, it's funny because he's mimicking Eirene's departure.

Everyone wishes I was crazy. Elios laughed in his heart.

But Elios was unwilling to admit that there was a small, though very small, piece of his heart that suddenly dimmed the Graean's departure.

*