Chapter 192

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 192. Pink (1)

Ludwig listened with dismay at the King’s order, biting his lip to stifle his own sudden rage. Was this what his father thought of him? That he was just an empty puppet, dancing to his father’s tune?

How dare he break up another engagement?

Ludwig was never going to be a ruthless ruler. He felt his own emotions too keenly. Annette was the only woman he had wanted to marry, and now she was another man’s wife. And that had happened against his will.

His heart was broken. He had not forgotten those endless nights, spent absolutely hating himself. He had longed for the days when he had been sure that Annette would be his wife. He had suffered.

But Selgratis didn’t even acknowledge the cost Ludwig had paid.

“At least Marquis Cherkess’s daughter will jump at the chance,” he said coldly. “She will do anything if it means she will be Crown Princess. She would devour Celestine in one bit. She will be a much better wife for you.”

Ludwig looked at his father with sunken eyes. He never chose anything for himself because he was afraid to fight him, and so he never got anything he wanted.

“…you don’t have much to say,” Selgratis said, as though he had read his mind. “What do you think?”

Beneath his gray brows, his dark blue eyes reminded Ludwig of someone else. A predator, looking at its prey. Forced to lie, Ludwig opened his mouth to speak.

“…I will obey His Majesty’s will. I will do anything to get Annette back.”

A sad smile touched his mouth. An herbivore among predators. Ludwig hadn’t wanted to admit it before, but that was why he had always hated Raphael. He was jealous of him.

But that didn’t change anything. Ludwig didn’t want to be like them. He was not that kind of person at his core. But he would still take this chance to protect Annette.

“I am glad you finally changed your mind. You have proved you have my royal blood in my veins. If you do as I say, you will be a strong King.”

Selgratis smiled, and Ludwig bowed his head silently, hiding his expression. All this time, he had been worried for Annette, but not Celestine’s plight was even more dangerous. It seemed Selgratis was determined to eliminate them both.

Ludwig remembered what Raphael had said.

Look after your own fiancée. Marquis Keers’ daughter.

Ludwig had thought those words were just an insult, a cutting jibe because he had failed to protect Annette. But even if it was embarrassing, he had to admit Raphael was right. He could not fail a second time to protect the woman he was supposed to marry. Even if he did not love Celestine, he had accepted her as his fiancée.

His fists clenched at his sides.

* * *

With her chin resting on her hand, Annette silently watched Raphael arguing with Tina the fashion designer.

“Can’t you see how well black goes with pink? It is a very trendy color combination lately, even in the Empire.”

“Pink? You want me to wear pink? Are you crazy?”

“What’s wrong with pink? It’s a masculine color!”

“No man in the world wears a pink suit to a banquet!”

“That’s why it’s the most masculine color!” Tina declared. “Because only a man could stand up to it! Don’t you see?”

Raphael scowled. She was trying to persuade him with very strange arguments, and even when she was facing a Master of Swords, she didn’t back down. It took a lot of courage to defend her position as the top designer in Deltium.

His silence only encouraged her to make a final attack.

“And last time I went to all the trouble making you a suit that would match your Marquise, but you didn’t even show up together at the garden party!”

“Because…”

“Excuses. If you want to apologize, wear a color that flatters your wife. Is that so hard? You shouldn’t mind wearing pink if you want to make your wife look pretty!”

Tina jabbed him directly in a sore spot. Yes, last time he had agreed to have a matching ensemble made to appear with Annette, she had gone to the party first, alone. He had followed her only to find her with her father, and then gone on to have an argument with Allamand that ruined everything.

Of course, Annette had never offered a single complaint about that day, but the memory still lived in Raphael’s heart, with prickling discomfort. For a moment, he almost said he would wear the pink, but then he spotted the pink velvet in Tina’s hand and his whole body shuddered.

“It’s my celebration banquet for becoming Master of Swords. I can’t wear pink!!!”

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