âI can take care of myself too. I never ask for help from my family.â
âYouâve been looking only at books that youâve lost your mind. What will happen to our family if you leave . . .â
âDo you think I came here for you? For the family? No, itâs for me. That family . . . I threw it away.â
As she cut off his words and spat out the promises she had made with herself, Robertâs face burned with anger.
âSuch an ungrateful bitch!â
Angered all the way to the top of his head, he raised his hand.
Anne flinched as the manâs large hand reached over her head, but she did not step back. She rather sticks out her right cheek, as if provoking Robert.
âAre you going to hit me again? Do I still look like a crying child trembling at Brotherâs hand? Even this hand of yours wonât change my decision.â
âHa . . . crazy bitch. You are completely out of your mind. How dare you talk about betraying your family in front of the heir of Libelois?â
Cursing, Robertâs face contorted in a strange way. Soon, his hand, lifted in mid-air, parted the cold air without hesitation.
Just before Robertâs ruthless palm touched Anneâs face,
Bang!
Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from behind. A cold wind blew in through the open door, and Anneâs hair flew in a mess.
She hurriedly grabbed her hair and turned around, and the Grand Duke, with blood-red eyes flashing, was standing in front of the door.
As the chilly silence descended, the sound of shoes hitting the marble floor resounded eerily. Robert, who later moved his hand, gathered his expression and bowed his head hurriedly.
âYour . . . Grace. What brings you all the way here?â
âWhy are you making such a fuss?â
A dark voice that transcended the atmoshpere sullenly broke through the room. His hard expression was similar to his usual one, but he seemed to be uncomfortable somewhere with a ferocious atmosphere. Like Anne, who read the unusual energy, Robert carefully looked at his eyes.
âWhat were you two talking about?â
âIt was nothing. I was disciplining my sister because she didnât seem to understand a wifeâs duties.â
âAngroanne.â
The Grand Duke, who had been staring at Robert the whole time, tilted his head and urged her to answer.
âIt wasnât a big deal.â
Anne swallowed a gulp as the red pupils terribly narrowed, and spoke the same like Robertâs answer. The tip of the Grand Dukeâs red lips curled up and his jaw muscles hardened.
âIt would be better to answer my question directly what kind of discipline it is.â
It was then that Robert realized that things were going wrong. His face turned blue as he sensed that the Grand Duke dreadful energy was squeezing his neck.
âThat is . . . a wife has to . . . be dealt with strictly, kugh . . .â
The Grand Dukeâs thick hand, which reached out in an instant, grabbed Robertâs neck tightly.
The strong force was about to block the passageway through which Robert breathed, he tightened his grip, and at the same time, Robertâs legs flailed in the air. It was unbelievable for a human being to be able to lift an adult male as it is.
âSo . . . Did you dare lay those dirty hands on whatâs mine and in my house?â
âKugh . . . Your . . . Grace . . .â
A cold sweat ran down Robertâs back as the Grand Dukeâs ferocious eyes seemed to be aiming for his heart. The predator-like eyes glared at him as if to devour him. The hairs all over his body stood up, and goosebumps ran up from the tip of his toes to his face.
âShe said she didnât want me to kill, but . . . I canât help it.â
The Grand Dukeâs voice, implying that he wanted to kill Robert immediately, was dangerous. Anne held her breath at the sight unfolding before her eyes. She has seen him get angry a few times, but itâs the first time sheâs seen him threatening someoneâs life like this.
Anne, who instinctively realized that Robertâs neck would be shattered if the Grand Duke just twisted his wrist a little, spoke up.
âThat . . . It wasnât like that, but there was some misunderstanding.â
âAngroanne, you think Iâm a fool. Donât get involved if you donât intend to deceive me anymore.â
Anne took hold of the Grand Dukeâs arm, wanting to stop him, but he insisted on her to not intervene without looking back.
âNo matter how . . .â
Anne wasnât strong enough to bear watching her brotherâs neck fall off in front of her eyes. She knew that if the Count lost his one and only heir, his eyes would turn to her and Anne would be in trouble.
As Anne struggled to calm her expression, she chose her words carefully.
âPlease stop your anger. Brother misunderstood for a moment because he thought he was in the Libelois mansion . . .â
âHa . . . Did you do this in that house too?â