How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 166. Her Own Sister
“What if His Highness tells the King about this?” Celestine asked, worried. Even if she was formally engaged, she did not trust her future husband.
“I don’t think so,” Annette said with a small smile, noting Celestine’s reservations. “Even if he won’t support me, he won’t tell his father.”
“How can you be so sure? Just because you’re childhood friends.”
“Not just that. If the King found out, my life would likely be in danger. Ludwig is too soft for that.”
Celestine’s eyes widened.
“What do you mean? I can’t believe His Majesty would go that far.”
“I didn’t tell you? The new doctor I hired was in his employ.”
“What? He is sending his servants into other families?”
“Yes. My doctor was ordered to give me a slow-acting poison. My health would have gradually deteriorated until I died.”
Celestine was paralyzed by the abhorrent words. There was no argument she could make.
“Are you all right?” She managed. “You didn’t take any poison, did you? No wonder you’ve looked so pale! What can I do? Your fingers are so cold, is that why?”
Alarmed, she clutched Annette’s hands, and Celestine’s hands were so warm in comparison that Annette’s eyes widened. But she still offered a reassuring smile.
“I am well. I only took a little of it, and as soon as I learned of it, I employed the best doctor in Deltium to remove it from my system.”
“My God,” Celestine whispered. “How could he do that to you? Hasn’t he known you since you were a little girl? I always heard that he treated you like his own daughter, it’s despicable!”
“Calm down, Celestine. It’s all in the past.”
“How could I!” Celestine exclaimed, firing up at once. “How far would he go?! Bad enough that he used me to ruin your chances to be Crown Princess, why would he need to poison you besides? It’s ridiculous!”
“In fact, I have wondered myself…” Celestine whispered, and Annette’s smile faded. It was as Celestine said; Annette had been removed as Crown Princess, so she should no longer have been a threat. The King would have no reason to try to kill her unless there was something else afoot.
How strange.
Why? It was true that if her relationship with Raphael was good, then perhaps Raphael would become powerful enough to be a threat. If the ancient Bavaria family supported him, he might even covet the throne.
Though the odds of that were not good.
Even if the King worried about it, it was still early for that threat to materialize. Everyone knew Allaman did not look on his son-in-law with favor, and Annette had no power of her own. Their marriage had neutralized them both.
My father doesn’t like Raphael.
Annette sighed. She had assumed the King would be satisfied with inventing false accusations against her, but he had gone on to have her poisoned, just as he had done in her last life.
“I will question my doctor again when I get home,” Annette said. “I’ll tell you if I learn anything new. If His Highness tells you anything, let me know.”
“Of course I will. Please take care of yourself. We’re in the same boat, stay by my side,” Celestine whispered, squeezing Annette’s fingers. Her hands were so warm that Annette’s eyes closed involuntarily.
Suddenly, she was glad to be alive.