Chapter 164

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 164. Child Promise

Chapter 164. Child Promise

“Your Highness,” Annette began. “The last time you met my husband in the palace, did you tell him anything about me?”

Ludwig’s mouth shut at the question. The last time Raphael had gone to speak with the King, Ludwig had intercepted him as he was leaving. And he might have mentioned a few things Annette had said, before.

Poor Annette. She said she would rather enter a convent than marry such a man.

Ludwig knew he had no excuse.

At the time, Annette had only said it to comfort him, knowing how insecure he was whenever he compared himself to his brother.

Back then, she had not even known Raphael. And it was a despicable act for Ludwig to repeat those words later, done purely out of jealousy.

“…it was very discourteous,” he said, bowing his head. “I sincerely regret it. I couldn’t protect you, and then upset you. It won’t happen again, please accept my apology.”

Though he was the Crown Prince, his apologies were always extravagant. Sometimes, he would even cry.

But everyone was born with a natural disposition. When those natural tendencies were rejected, and that person was forced to fit within artificial confines, it made for a painful life. As if they had been forced into a box, and any protruding limbs were mercilessly hacked off.

Unfortunately, the perpetrator of this cruelty was Ludwig’s own father.

A king cannot indulge emotion. All his time must be devoted to his position. And here you are, playing with your lute. Frivolous things that only frivolous men can entertain. Don’t waste your time with such nonsense.

Raphael was much more in line with King Selgratis’s expectations for his son. Ludwig had always been the opposite. Ludwig had no natural dominance or confidence, and no stomach to hurt anyone else. His natural disposition was antithetical to his position.

People might whisper insults behind Raphael’s back, but when they stood before him, they were as frozen as a deer. Selgratis said that Raphael had the disposition of a King. He had always bemoaned the fact that Ludwig could not leave a similar impression.

The King wished Raphael was his legitimate son.

Despised by his father from an early age, Ludwig had always been depressed. He hated Raphael for making him look less by comparison. It was a cold, cruel world, and everyone but Ludwig was armed against it.

Annette was the only person who had accepted him, despite his weaknesses. She alone had never questioned his personality, and always supported him. Ludwig could stand before her as the man he was, not the Crown Prince of Deltium.

Now, his jealousy had only grown more terrible.

And she hadn’t met him here to talk about such nonsense, anyway.

“Thank you for saying that, Your Highness,” she said. “I’m glad we can address that and reconcile honestly. But I have something else I must tell you, and I ask you to please listen all the way to the end.”

She looked at him earnestly. This was the important part. There was another reason she had asked Celestine to bring him here.

She had to know what he really thought of everything that had happened. Would he approve of King Selgratis’s actions, or could he be an ally? Everything else would depend on who Ludwig supported.

Before she could do anything else, she had to know.

Annette drew a deep breath.

“Do you remember the promise you made to me when we were children, Your Highness?”

Ludwig closed his eyes silently. Of course he remembered. How could he forget anything he had promised her?

Annette was the support of his soul. His mother, who should have played that role, had died in childbirth. His father had only ever pushed him closer and closer to a precipice. Annette alone had remained by his side. That was why he had always held her hand as if she were precious.

When I become King. I will definitely protect you Annette. I promise.