Chapter 175

Chapter 175 – Man to Man (2)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

That was what had forced Ludwig’s decision. He would protect Annette’s heart, just as she had tenderly cared for his. Ludwig would not fail.

“I have an idea. About Annette.”

“What?” Raphael’s eyes grew fierce at the mere mention of her name.

“Sooner or later, our conversation will reach our father’s ears,” Ludwig said softly, looking into those blue eyes that were so like his own. “There is no place that is out of his sight or hearing.”

“……”

“So tomorrow, I will go to him. I will complain to him about your arrogance, and say that you have no respect for the future King. When I take the throne, I will get rid of you.”

Ludwig’s head cocked, a silent question to be sure Raphael had followed his meaning. Raphael’s eyes narrowed.

“It will please our father greatly when I tell him this,” Ludwig said meaningfully. “It is not an accident that there has been so much discord between us, is it?”

It was true. Raphael nodded, and Ludwig smiled in satisfaction. This was going much better than he had hoped.

“In which case, His Majesty will certainly use me for his tool,” Ludwig went on. He had been thinking about this for a long time. “This is what he meant to happen all this time, anyway. Then I will be privy to his actions, and might discover his other plans. I would be a spy.”

“…I don’t know if it would work,” Raphael said slowly. “Father is not easy to fool. What if he suspects you have other intentions?”

Ludwig nodded, as if he had expected this objection.

“Don’t worry. I can be convincing. I only need to give him one reason, and he will never suspect me.”

“What?” Raphael asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Annette’s safety depended on this, and Ludwig did not seem to him like a reliable ally.

“I will ask him to give me Annette as a reward for helping to get rid of you.” Ludwig smiled. “I don’t think he would doubt my intentions then. Who doesn’t know that I love her?”

“……!!!”

It was a solid blow directly into Raphael, and so unexpected that he almost swung on his brother. Get rid of him to have Annette? The bare thought of such a plan instantly enraged him.

Fortunately, before Raphael could commit treason, Ludwig sombered. It was not a matter for joking.

“In any case, our father can’t do anything rash, now that you are a Master of Swords. You are too important. He will need my support to get rid of you. I will stay close to him to discover what he means to do, and you will protect Annette. Do you understand?”

“She will always be safe at my side,” Raphael said firmly, and Ludwig nodded.

Indeed, now that her husband was Master of Swords, Raphael’s side was the safest place in the kingdom.

“And you must protect Marquis Keers’ daughter,” Raphael added.

“…Huh?”

“Is that surprising? She is going to be your wife. You are obliged to protect her, aren’t you?”

This was something Raphael did not like. Ludwig was ignoring his own fiancée while he dwelled on how to protect someone else’s wife.

Of course, Celestine Keers could be protected without too much effort. She was the puppet King Selgratis had chosen for Ludwig, after all, and even if the King used her for his schemes, that just guaranteed the advancement of her family. Lady Keers’ father had already become a loyal supporter of the King.

Raphael was unaware that his thoughts were running directly parallel to those of Lady Keers herself, and he would have refused to acknowledge it to his dying day if he had known. But though normally the effort to say something positive about her would have rendered him mute, today Raphael stretched himself.

“The daughter of Marquis Keers is a very…refined lady. I am sure she will be a good Crown Princess. So look after your own fiancée.”

Ludwig’s mouth hung open. Raphael had very politely told him to stay away from his wife.

“Then I’ll be leaving. Your Highness,” Raphael said politely. And having delivered this magnificent counterattack, he exited with his head held high.

His steps felt lighter all the way home.