Chapter 232

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 232. Good King

Annette’s expression brightened at Ludwig’s words.

“Well, they are safe now,” he added. “My father intends to abdicate; he has lost all his will. And I can promise the new King will have no animosity to the Bavaria family.”

He was pulling his gloves on as he finished. These things were easy to say, but had not been simple to achieve. Selgratis was not a man that easily relinquished his power. Ludwig had been gathering the evidence of his schemes and used it to pressure the King, even calling Duke Allamand Bavaria in to provide their testimony, among other witnesses.

Ludwig had lost eight pounds since the banquet.

If Selgratis had refused to renounce the throne, Ludwig would have exposed what he had done to the world. He would have been willing to destroy the power of the royal family to protect Annette and Celestine.

And Selgratis had only relented at Ludwig’s display of determination. It was almost as if he had known all along that it would come to this, and that was why Ludwig still could not bring himself to hate his father.

But I’ll never be a King like him.

Ludwig’s mouth twisted. There was a shadow in his face now, a maturity that lent charm and strength to his pretty features.

“Your Highness,” Annette began cautiously, “what happened to the witnesses we captured?”

“They have been sent to a good place, where they will not threaten anyone again,” Ludwig replied calmly.

That meant they had been killed. It wasn’t just the men that had attacked Celestine; that included Raphael’s uncle, Ben March, and Annette’s doctor.

“I see,” Annette said. Her smile revealed mixed emotions. “Thank you.”

“It’s important to tie up loose ends.”

Ludwig had always been emotional, so Annette had never dreamed he could say such words. And when he saw her surprise, Ludwig offered a bittersweet smile in return. He was equally aware of how much he had changed.

For the first time in his life, he had blood on his hands. It was not easy to apply sufficient pressure to bend his father to his will. His fingers, which had always felt most natural on the strings of a lute, would never be innocent again.

Witnesses were tortured if they refused to cooperate. The King’s counselors were very competent, and their efficient techniques quickly extracted the truth from them. With pain and blood, Ludwig had finally succeeded his father to the throne.

Sometimes it was necessary to use ugly means for a worthy end.

Ludwig looked at Annette. This time he had protected her. He would protect her again in the future, if it was necessary. And all he felt was satisfaction that he now had the power to do so.

But Annette felt regret that he had been forced to change, even if it was the best thing for him. Ludwig must have the iron will of a King. And he could be a good king, especially with Celestine as his wife. Her steadfast support would be better for him than Ludwig’s coddling.

“How is Lady Keers, Your Highness?” Annette asked, at the thought of her friend. “Has she adjusted to life in the palace?”

“It is like her own home now,” Ludwig said, smiling. “It is good. She will soon become my queen.”

Even if Ludwig did not love her, he felt that she deserved respect. And that was probably why Marquis Keers had not yet rebelled against the new King.