Chapter 202: In-laws Are Scary!

Leo’s POV

“You’ve got some nerve,” he growled. “You think you can just claim my daughter because I allowed her to stay here and recover her memory? What exactly makes you believe you deserve her…when you couldn’t even find her?”

I crossed my arms, refusing to flinch. “Well, I tried to tell you months ago that you were clinging to the wrong twin…but you didn’t exactly make that easy, did you?”

His face burned with embarrassment and anger but before he could spit another word, Daniel appeared as if from thin air and stepped between us.

He always timed his entrances like he’d walked out of a play. “Mr. Richard… Mr Marcus… Rosa! Good to see you guys,” Daniel said, all polished charm and my face broke into a scowl.

Richard’s face softened for Daniel. Not for me. Not a flicker. Not even a glance. That moment seared hot under my skin.

My wolf hated Daniel for it. My chest tightened. Possession tasted like iron in my mouth.

I didn’t think. I acted.

I grabbed Daniel by the neck and flung him across the hall in one raw, seamless motion. He sailed and crashed into a stack of wrapped gifts. There was a beat of stunned silence. Then muffled whispers. Then the sound of someone dropping a tray.

No one stole my spotlight. Not when it was about Ivy or her family.

I dusted my hands like I’d discarded trash. I let my calm mask slide back on tight. I stepped forward, voice low and bloody-lipped polite.

“Now, back to business,” I said, teeth clenched, words grinding out through gritted teeth. “Can we have a proper talk now, dear father-in-law?”

The whole hall went quiet. People froze where they stood. Eyes wide. Mouths shut. They were all looking at me like I’d finally lost my goddamn mind.

“Mr. Richard,” I said carefully, swallowing down my pride, “please come with me calmly. Otherwise, I’m going to carry you over my shoulder to the next room.”

He blinked. His glare deepened. His lips twitched like he couldn’t believe I just said that.

Marcus’s eyebrows shot up instantly. “Whoa, whoa, Your Majesty,” he said, half laughing. “What exactly do you plan on doing with my brother alone in a room?

Because that sounds suspiciously like a kidnapping, or worse, a romantic getaway.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “It’s nothing like that, Marcus. I just want to talk to him with interruption,” I said firmly, trying not to lose my composure as I glared at Daniel who was already grinning. “Just a private, calm, son-to-father conversation. Nothing more.”

“Ah,” Marcus teased, leaning back a little, grin widening. “So no throwing him over your shoulder caveman-style and dragging him off then?”

“I said talk, not wrestle,” I snapped, my patience thinning.

Rosa gasped, smacking his chest lightly. “Ay Dios mío, Richard, don’t start with your ego again! Go with the boy before he does the... the... gorilla thing!”

I bit back a laugh. Marcus didn’t even try to hide his.

Rosa kept wagging her finger at Richard like a mother scolding a toddler. “He’s King now, por favor. Don’t make drama in front of all these people, you will shame Ivy and yourself!”

Richard groaned, clearly torn between pride and embarrassment. I raised a brow, still calm, still patient…but my wolf was already tapping its foot.

“Please,” I repeated, voice deepening, “don’t make me do it the hard way.”

That did it. He muttered a low curse under his breath and finally moved, Rosa giving him a victorious grin. I caught Marcus’s amused look and beckoned at him too.

“I want to speak with you as well, if you don’t mind.”

Marcus raised his hands in surrender, soft chuckles escaping his lips. “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Together, the three of us walked toward my study. The air buzzed with tension and the faint sound of guards trying not to look interested as we passed.

When we stepped in, I shut the door behind us, the heavy sound echoing through the room.

And then I dropped everything.

The title, the crown, the armor and I got on my knees.

They both froze…Richard especially. His eyes went wide, Marcus’s grin faded into disbelief.

“I know I failed once,” I began quietly, my voice rough. “I know I wasn’t able to protect her when it mattered most. But I promise you, if you let me have her as mine, I’ll cherish her and put her before my own life. I’ll rather crawl on dirt than let her ever touch the ground again. I’ll guard her with my last breath. I’ll bleed before I ever let her cry.”

I drew a long breath, words coming from the deepest part of me. “I know I’ve made mistakes, and maybe I’ll make more. But not when it comes to your daughter. Never again.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Marcus finally exhaled, a slow breath that sounded almost like relief.

“I don’t have a problem,” he said sincerely. “I finally get how your world works. And honestly, I’m happy you both found each other again. As long as you make our princess happy, I’m in full support.”

My shoulders loosened. One down.

Marcus turned to Richard. “What about you, brother? What do you think?”

Richard stood still for a moment, arms crossed, his eyes studying me. Then he moved forward. I tensed, expecting another jab, another cold remark.

Instead, he stopped in front of me and tapped my shoulders gently. “I’m really glad you’re back,” he said softly. “And that you’re safe now.”

For a second, I didn’t even breathe.

Then relief poured through me, thick and hot. So he was pulling my leg all along? All that glaring and growling outside…for nothing?

I wanted to hug him so tight but that would be so awkward, so I huffed out a laugh, and before I knew it, Marcus joined in, then Richard.

The three of us stood there, awkwardly laughing like idiots after a fight no one actually wanted.

I was about to get up when Richard’s voice cut through again.

“Just one little question,” he said, tone careful. “Have you touched my daughter yet?”

I froze.

My spine went stiff.

I felt about two inches tall, kneeling before two men who were now staring down at me like headmasters waiting for a confession.

“When you say touch,” I started slowly, scratching the back of my neck, “what exactly do you mean?”

Marcus didn’t even blink. “What he means,” he said, gesturing dramatically, “is…have you had sex with Ivy?”

I almost cursed out loud. My brain blanked. My wolf hid somewhere deep, leaving me to die alone.

“I’m going to be as honest as I can…” I said finally, clearing my throat and bracing myself. “We may have done more than… touching.”

Marcus’s brows shot up in amusement. Richard’s smile vanished, a deadly expression replacing it.

“How dare you…” he began, stepping forward, but the door flew open suddenly.

Ivy stormed in, looking like a goddess wrapped in silk and fire.

A wave of relief crashed through me. Salvation. I shot to my feet and darted behind her like a kid hiding from the principal.

“They can direct all their questions to you now,” I whispered quickly from behind her shoulder. So much for my proud statement earlier about handling everything.

I’m totally powerless against Mr Richard.

Because honestly…in-laws are scary.