Chapter 186

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 186. New Water

The King was most likely annoyed that Celestine was so elusive. Her answers were perfectly prudent.

“It went surprisingly well. As soon as I saw her, I wasn’t afraid anymore. Marquise Carnesis even seemed to take pity on me, so I was finally able to resolve my feelings.”

It was not a bad response, if Annette was supposed to be the culprit. But the King was silent for a while, a silence that implied doubt.

“I am glad to hear your fears have been assuaged. You even seem to have established good terms with the Marquise.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But don’t forget,” he warned. “The Bavaria family are all wily snakes. They are called the cold-blooded Bavarias for a reason. They have ice in their veins, and will do whatever it takes to benefit themselves. No matter what harm it does to others. Never trust a Bavaria.”

Annette’s jaw clenched, listening. He dared to make insinuations about her, even though he had planned it all.

The King had known Annette since she was a child, and still he had betrayed her. He was the one who had framed her for a crime he had committed. And not content with that, he had bribed her own doctor to poison her. He was a truly ruthless man.

It made her blood boil.

How could he say that after all he’d done?

The more she thought about it, the madder she got. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and she would have clawed that man’s face, if he had been there. She was so distracted, she wasn’t even listening to the conversation, and Railin reached a hand, gripping her shoulder somberly.

“Calm down,” he said, his steady voice coming clear through her outrage. It was the most serious she had ever seen him. “You must pay attention. That is the only way you can protect those who are in danger. Understand?”

The first face that came to mind was Raphael. His expressions had always been so cold, but lately he had come alive, and showed her so many more emotions. Emotions he showed only to her.

She had watched every step of his journey. And now that he had given her his heart, she could not treat him with indifference. She had a responsibility to protect the man she loved.

I will do whatever it takes to protect him.

She drew a deep breath, and her pink eyes regained their clarity. Fortunately, she hadn’t missed much of the conversation. The words coming from the bluebird were still about Bavaria.

“I have argued with the Marquis your father about many things, lately. He is a very loyal man. Not at all like the conniving Bavarias.”

“Thank you for the kind words about my father, Your Majesty.”

“I will make your family more powerful, in future. Especially if you become my son’s wife.”

“I am truly grateful for your favor.”

“You will have to do something to earn it, first.”

“What is that?” Celestine had been answering obediently, but now she sounded nervous.

“The poison must be removed from the chalice before it can be filled with new water,” the King said, words that Annette had been expecting. “I trust you will help me with this task.”

He meant that they would band together against Bavaria, so the Keers family could rise. It was not surprising. The King had been looking for a way to break the Bavaria family.

Annette had wondered what Celestine would say if King Selgratis asked this.

“…I understand what you mean,” Celestine said firmly, after a moment’s thought. “But…I am afraid.”

“You don’t seem to want to,” the King said. Suddenly, he was soft as velvet. “Of course, young people might have different ideas of such things. Perhaps it is only a prejudice on my part. Please, tell me if you disagree.”

“……”