How to Tame My Beastly Husband

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 106. Love Makes Him Clumsy (4)

Annette was puzzled by these inexplicable words, but Raphael’s lips set with sudden determination. His hand reached out to caress her cheek as she tried to speak, her expression serious.

“I’m not avoiding you because I don’t like you,” he began. “It’s just, lately, when I see you, I…feel a little…”

His firm lips faltered, unable to continue. Annette’s heart raced at the touch of that large hand on her cheek, and Raphael drew a deep breath. But inexperienced in love as he was, he had chosen his moment poorly.

“Oh! You are already waiting for us! Annette!”

Having already finished getting ready to leave, Claire waved and approached. Dressed in comfortable clothes, she looked like a cheerful young woman off on adventure, her blue hair shining like the sea in the sunlight.

Raphael saw only an enemy who was interfering with his romance.

“You have such a long way to go, Claire, it’s sure to be a bit tiresome,” Annette was saying. “So I asked the chef to make some snacks for you. You like jerked chicken, don’t you? There’s plenty made, so you can eat it on the way.”

Her face was sad as she took Claire’s hand, and Claire pulled her into a tight embracement, their cheeks pressed together. How could she leave such an adorable creature behind? Following behind her, Arjen caught her by the shoulders to gently disentangle her from Annette.

“You’ll end up scratching your face on her earrings again,” he warned. “I know you don’t want to leave, but a little propriety.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Claire sighed, retreating at his gentle words. “I couldn’t help it.”

Annette, rather more disheveled than before, looked up at her brother. Arjen still looked tired, but his face was kind.

“It was only a short time, but it was fun,” he said, placing an affectionate kiss on her forehead. “See you soon, Annette. My precious little sister.”

Annette kissed his pale cheek, hiding her unhappiness. She was grateful that he had come so far, even though he was so busy, just because he was worried about her.

Maybe Arjen had tried to warn her in her previous life, too. But back then, Annette had been in poor condition. Not only had her health been bad, but her relationship with Raphael had been so terrible, she couldn’t even properly receive guests. Maybe he had decided not to say anything because he hadn’t wanted to worry her anymore. He had decided to carry the burden alone.

But everything had changed from her previous life.

Now, Annette knew that Celestine was not the person who had framed her. She knew that Ivan, the coachman who had instigated the whole affair, was Raphael’s uncle. And she also knew now that she was not the only one who had been attacked this way; Arjen had faced equally serious charges around the same time.

And maybe even her father had had some trouble of his own.

“Please take care of yourself, brother,” she whispered, hugging him tightly.

Arjen’s eyelashes trembled a little, but he said nothing. He just looked at her with pride. He had never expected the soft-hearted little girl he remembered to share his burden this way. It was an admirable thing to do.

“Brother-in-law,” he said. “Please take care of Annette.”

“Don’t worry,” the other man replied, shaking Arjen’s hand firmly. Arjen was relieved at the strength of that grip. He could be sure that if it was necessary, Raphael was strong enough to take Annette in his arms and flee to safety.

Looking at him, Arjen smiled. It was likely because they were siblings, but that smile was so similar to Annette’s that it was startling. Arjen leaned forward to add, lower,

“And please make sure to prioritize the thing that is most precious to you.”

Raphael frowned, wondering at the warning.

“It would be convenient if you could just pick and choose what you want to keep,” Arjen added, with a sharp smile. “But life doesn’t work that way.”

What the hell did that mean? Was that some sort of explanation? Raphael stared at him, perplexed. Perhaps Arjen was so used to speaking to geniuses and politicians, he had forgotten how to just come out with whatever it was he wanted to say. Raphael’s mouth opened to just ask, but Arjen was already departing, climbing into the carriage and waving a hand.

As the carriage left, Raphael glowered coldly at the back of his brother-in-law’s head. Raphael did not appreciate the parting gift of a puzzle. If it weren’t for the far superior sword Arjen had already given him, he might’ve grabbed the smaller man by the neck, to inquire closely about the meaning of every one of those twisty words.