Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan
Ludwig listened with dismay at the Kingâs 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 fatherâs 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 manâs 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 didnât even acknowledge the cost Ludwig had paid.
âAt least Marquis Cherkessâs daughter will jump at the chance,â he said coldly. âShe 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.â
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.
ââŠyou donât have much to say,â Selgratis said, as though he had read his mind. âWhat do you think?â
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.
ââŠI will obey His Majestyâs will. I will do anything to get Annette back.â
A sad smile touched his mouth. An herbivore among predators. Ludwig hadnât wanted to admit it before, but that was why he had always hated Raphael. He was jealous of him.
But that didnât change anything. Ludwig didnât 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.
âI 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.â
Selgratis smiled, and Ludwig bowed his head silently, hiding his expression. All this time, he had been worried for Annette, but not Celestineâs plight was even more dangerous. It seemed Selgratis was determined to eliminate them both.
Ludwig remembered what Raphael had said.
Look after your own fiancĂ©e. Marquis Keersâ 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.
In one of the best boutiques in Deltium, Annette was sitting comfortably on a pink couch. She had visited this place countless times since she was a child, but never under these particular circumstances.
With her chin resting on her hand, Annette silently watched Raphael arguing with Tina the fashion designer.
âCanât you see how well black goes with pink? It is a very trendy color combination lately, even in the Empire.â
âPink? You want me to wear pink? Are you crazy?â
âWhatâs wrong with pink? Itâs a masculine color!â
âNo man in the world wears a pink suit to a banquet!â
âThatâs why itâs the most masculine color!â Tina declared. âBecause only a man could stand up to it! Donât you see?â
Raphael scowled. She was trying to persuade him with very strange arguments, and even when she was facing a Master of Swords, she didnât 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.
âAnd last time I went to all the trouble making you a suit that would match your Marquise, but you didnât even show up together at the garden party!â
âExcuses. If you want to apologize, wear a color that flatters your wife. Is that so hard? You shouldnât mind wearing pink if you want to make your wife look pretty!â
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 Raphaelâs heart, with prickling discomfort. For a moment, he almost said he would wear the pink, but then he spotted the pink velvet in Tinaâs hand and his whole body shuddered.
âItâs my celebration banquet for becoming Master of Swords. I canât wear pink!!!â