One of the big differences between how Yanessa treats Wick and how Primus treats his children is that for being a viper I think Yanessa genuinely believes she loves her little ducky. It’s just that her version of love is for a grandson who can’t do anything without her. It doesn’t matter that he was weak-willed and naive, in fact she’d prefer for him to remain that way. Better for her to be in control of him and follow her lead. The love is conditional, but she still sees it as true. But we all heard what’d she would have done had ducky tried lying to her. Her hatred for Wicky would have been just as special as her love for him.
As for Primus? I don’t think he’s given his kids so much as a half-hug for their entire lives. I won’t say he’s incapable of love, but my bet is that Primus sees love as completely unnecessary in regards to how to run the family. I’m not even sure he’d say he likes his children regardless of their power. Hell, I don’t even think he hated Occtis! That’s too much emotional energy for a man who starts a massacre by saying he bears the victim’s House no ill will. He might be a little more spiteful after Occtis ruined his plans though.
What matters first and foremost is loyalty, which should be given to the family without hesitation. He expects all his children to obey him unconditionally, just as he’s probably obeying his papa Skelly Sky Hands. Love is seen as frivolous in this kind of home. He loved his powerless child as much as he loves his most powerful, which is to say none at all. Powerful children are to follow his commands, a useless son is expected to stay out of the way while he does his magic hobby or whatever, and if that useless son wants to go against the family it’s his job as a father to put him back in line.
