How to Tame My Beastly Husband

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 190. The Power of Deltium

In her last life, Raphael would have walked away at that, rather than deal with Annette’s emotions. Now, he came to her and hugged her at once.

“Don’t make that face,” he said. “I will protect you. And that annoying woman, too.”

The unusual reassurance made her smile. It was rough, but sincere, and so she didn’t want to say, I can protect myself. Instead, she nestled in his arms and closed her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered softly. “It’s very comforting to have you.”

“…it’s nothing,” Raphael said diffidently, but the corner of his mouth lifted. A single word from her could make him feel so good.

Raphael knew he was completely in her power.

But maybe that was why he had become a Master of Swords.

Raphael wasn’t sure when his mindset had shifted. But before, he had always wielded the sword himself and his own advancement. Now, he had found a different reason.

Every time he took his sword in hand, he thought of Annette’s face. He could feel the warmth she had given him, and the only wish in his heart was that he could become stronger, so he could protect the only person in the world that mattered to him.

Annette couldn’t know about this. Nor did she understand why he had become a Sword Master years earlier than he had in their last life. But the fact that he wanted to protect her made her very happy.

“We are different people,” Annette whispered, looking at him with kindness filling her eyes. “But now we are dreaming of the same future, so we can work to try to solve problems together. Even if things are dangerous right now…all that matters to me is that you are with me. Thank you for choosing me.”

Raphael was hiding his face.

Before, she would have thought he was ignoring her, but now she could look past his large hands to see that his face was red as a tomato.

He really is adorable.

Despite their danger, a little laugh escaped her.

It didn’t mean she was taking his promise lightly. Annette treasured Celestine’s friendship, and was determined to protect her, no matter what. As a matter of fact, Celestine was a bit like Raphael. She looked strong on the outside, but there was a weakness hidden inside. Annette was more worried about Celestine than she was about herself.

And Celestine must be very anxious, after that meeting with the King.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I have something to show you,” said Raphael suddenly, and left, returning shortly with a letter. Annette’s eyes narrowed as she saw the seal on the envelope.

“It’s an official letter from the royal palace.”

“Yes.”

Annette took it. The contents were a bit abrupt, but not surprising.

“An invitation,” she said, blinking. “The King has already prepared a banquet to celebrate your becoming Master of Swords. At the palace.”

“So he can flaunt me to the public,” Raphael said, crossing his arms. The thought that he was a hound to be killed after the hunt bothered him. The King had used him as a goad for Ludwig, but now Raphael would take the spotlight in this banquet. It was a ridiculous game.

“No one expected you to be Master of Swords so soon,” Annette said reassuringly. “His Majesty will probably want to keep an eye on you for a while. But I think it buys us time.”

They both knew the truth. Selgratis was puzzled by his son’s sudden accomplishment. He would let him live a little longer now, to see if he might be useful. Maybe he wanted to prove that even a small kingdom like Deltium could produce such a singular person as a Master of Swords.

It would hardly be unprecedented. Most rulers wanted to inflate the importance of their domain as much as they could. And there was still time before Ludwig’s coronation; time enough to squeeze every drop out of Raphael, to increase the power of Deltium.

And then one day, when the time was right, the King would kill Annette, and have Raphael framed for her murder.