Chapter 85

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 85. Strange Dream (2)

Annette remembered putting on those gloves. And who had left those marks on them.

Celestine Keers?

Annette’s eyes twitched. Surely, she had come to talk about something important. It had been days since their meeting at the temple, and Annette had not heard of Celestine making any accusations that Annette had infiltrated the Temple, much less providing the gloves as evidence.

Instead, she had come secretly to request a private conversation. Annette’s eyes lit up at a sudden thought.

Maybe she’s willing to hear what I have to say.

The last time they had met, Celestine had been so fearful and cautious, still suffering from the trauma of her kidnapping. And there had been no doubt in her face that the true culprit was Annette.

But apparently Annette had been wrong.

She wished Celestine had come another day, when she felt less ill, but she could hardly refuse her when Celestine had come to her front door. It must have taken great determination for her to come this far. And if Annette refused her this time, Celestine wasn’t likely to try it again.

There was no choice.

With her mind made up, Annette opened her eyes to look at the maid. The woman looked anxious, as if she thought Annette might scold her.

“Can you help me get dressed?” Annette asked practically, offering her a small smile. “I must greet my guest.”

***

It felt as if her corset were digging into her ribs today. Perhaps that was why, along with her stuffy nose, that it felt so difficult to breathe. Annette took a sip of tea to clear her throat.

“I didn’t expect you to come see me like this,” she said softly. “It’s good to see you again, Lady Keers.”

Celestine did not speak. She looked so nervous, it seemed doubtful that she had come this way of her own free will. Her hands on the skirt of her dress were trembling, and she seemed to be struggling with her fears.

Silently, Annette cupped her warm teacup in her hands and waited. There was nothing more she could do, and the hot tea seemed to be helping a little with her cold.

“I had a strange dream recently,” Celestine said, after a while. Her face was somber. “You were in it.”

“…Really?”

Of course, Celestine wasn’t talking about an actual dream. She was referring to Annette’s visit at the Temple, but Annette just smiled vaguely. She wasn’t going to admit anything when she didn’t yet know Celestine’s intentions.

I must speak carefully. Otherwise I may say something that sounds like a confession.

A cold sweat broke out on her body. Her first impulse was to think Celestine’s visit was a good thing, but she still could not be trusted. Thinking of everything she had done, trespassing in the Temple, impersonating a priestess, Annette was shocked at her own recklessness.

“I suppose the reason you’ve come is because you wondered if I might be innocence?” She remarked, addressing the subject in a roundabout fashion.

“Your…innocence?”

Celestine looked at her, a little disbelieving. It seemed she was still reluctant to say the word innocent. Despite their last meeting, she still didn’t trust her. Annette sighed inwardly.

“Celestine, I really didn’t order your kidnapping,” she explained calmly. “My coachman Ivan was hired under a false identity, and after he kidnapped you, he framed me. The whole thing was a plan laid by someone else to discredit both of us.”

Celestine said nothing. Annette had no choice but to offer a little more, to persuade someone clearly still skeptical.