Chapter 185

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 185. Counselor

“My friendships are the same as they have always been, Your Majesty. It is embarrassing to admit, but I’ve never had so many invitations.”

This time, it was Celestine’s voice. The bluebirds were incredible for eavesdropping; Deltium’s best intelligence could hardly have done better. Annette was amazed.

“I suppose so,” said the King’s voice. “Don’t worry too much, the position makes the person. You’ll soon see which people to approach and which people to turn away, once the tiara of the Crown Princess is on your head.”

“Thank you for your counsel, Your Majesty.”

The unexpected conversation seemed simple enough, so far, but Annette listened with all her might. Celestine should not let her guard down. King Selgratis was a very cold man. He would not seek out his son’s future wife for some small talk.

The next question was more alarming.

“While we are speaking of your acquaintance,” said the King, “How is the Marquise Carnesis?”

Annette’s body went rigid. Why would he ask Celestine about her? It explained why he had been prodding Celestine about her social circles. It seemed he already knew they were friends. But when had he discovered that? How?

Her heart sank.

It was impossible to tell whether he knew everything, or if he was just prodding Celestine because he was suspicious. Annette held her breath as Celestine paused a moment before answering.

“I’m not sure,” she said, feigning innocence. “She’s not a very social person, either. We haven’t encountered each other much lately in society. Why do you ask?”

Her answer was ambiguous, but truthful. But the King wouldn’t let it go that easily.

“How strange. I thought there was something you knew that no one else did.”

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I don’t quite understand.”

“You haven’t seen each other anywhere else?” The King asked. “I heard that you visited the Marquise personally. Or was there some mistake?”

But Celestine had not been so cautious, it seemed. They must have discovered her on one of those few times she had come to the Carnesis mansion.

Celestine was momentarily speechless, and Annette waited impatiently, wondering how she would slip out of this net.

There was no good excuse.

Annette had supposedly kidnapped Celestine in order to dispose of a rival. Only a few people knew that she had been innocent. Of course, the Keers family was openly hostile to her. Why would Celestine herself go calling on the person who had tried to kill her? Of course the King would wonder.

Which was why he had come to question Celestine personally.

This was not good. Annette bit her lower lip.

“Your Majesty,” Celestine said, picking her words carefully. “Do you remember the last time we spoke? That matter I asked your opinion about?”

“Yes. The difficulty you experienced, after your abduction,” he replied. Shameless, considering he was the one that had arranged it. But Celestine showed no sign of anger.

“Yes. I met with many counselors, trying to overcome my fear afterward, and one of them gave me a good piece of advice.”

“Which was?”

“He told me if I really wanted to put it behind me, I could not run away from the cause of my fear. I had to face it.”

“That is an interesting suggestion.”

“It is. The past cannot be changed, and trying to ignore a fear often only causes it to grow. That person told me to confront it, and express what had happened to me. It’s like lancing a boil. It won’t heal until the poison is drained. I decided to take his advice.”

Annette almost applauded at this answer. How had Celestine come up with something so clever, and under these circumstances? She was no ordinary woman.

But they were not quite out of danger yet.

“And what did Marquise Carnesis do, when you finally met face to face. I hope you’ll tell me the truth. I hate people that lie.”