How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 234. Prodigy

Raphael accepted the paper with no expectations, but his face lit up as he skimmed the words. His pride forbade him to say so, but he was very clearly pleased.

For a moment, he stared hungrily at the parchment, then handed it to Annette.

She smiled as she took it, examining it closely. Raphael was standing beside her, alert as a hound, waiting for her reaction.

“My goodness, Raphael!” She exclaimed when he was done, deliberately exaggerating the praise. “You are now the Duke of Carnesis!”

Their words had stuck in his mind. Now, he would have liked to go calling on them at home just so he could wave this paper in their faces. They could not belittle his marriage anymore.

He would be satisfied if he broke down the gates of those mansions. Realizing his intentions, Annette laughed to herself.

He’s charming.

Annette had noticed a small detail in the writing on the parchment, but she didn’t think Raphael had spotted it yet.

Ludwig looked on the pair with a smile. In the past, this sight would have turned his stomach. Annette was another man’s wife; his chest should be burning hotter than hellfire. And he couldn’t deny that it affected him a little bit, but he was happy that she was happy.

“Please. Marquis Raphael Carnesis, rise,” said Ludwig, his tone altered to solemn command. Raphael rose obediently, already suspecting what he was going to do.

Drawing his sword, Ludwig laid it on Raphael’s shoulder.

“Marquis Carnesis. You have lifted the honor of all Deltium. Your actions also averted a catastrophe at the last banquet. We are gratified to have a man of your talents in our kingdom.”

“I am grateful for your generous praise,” said Raphael.

“Therefore, in the name of King Ludwig Henry Valvrave, grant you this title on behalf of the royal family. As of the date listed, you are to be recognized as the Duke of Carnesis.”

“What? What do you mean, date listed?” Raphael’s head lifted, his eyes glinting suspiciously, as if he had a sudden urge to shake his half-brother.

“What? Do you think a dukedom is so easy to bestow?” Ludwig asked, sensing the threat. “And weren’t you only recently raised to marquis? Prodigies have no conscience.”

They also lacked humanity. Ludwig clicked his tongue, the sound loud in the quiet room, and Raphael’s brows lowered dangerously.