I’ll Wrench the Neck of Sweet Son of a B*tch - Chapter 51

Episode 51: Jealousy Makes You Go Blind

“Anyway, you should be present at this ball. You know that Grand Duke Ludwig is bound to show up this time.”

“Oh, of course.”

Raymond’s eyes immediately changed when his name came out. It was almost like a beast in sight of its prey.

“I know it.”

Rumors were spreading among the nobility that his half-brother had confined himself in the Duchy for a while and stopped all social activities.

On the morning of his departure from the Duchy, Raymond remembered the eyes of his half-brother, who had flashed with madness.

‘I, the Grand Duke Ludwig has come to greet you on behalf of Chloe.  It would be a big deal if that weak child looked at you and fainted.’

‘Raymond Del Astaroth, you’re trying to take Chloe away from me again.’

Kailos, who had lost weight after not eating properly for a few days, gritted his teeth with a sharp face.

His half-brother, who was expressing anger by calling the Emperor’s name without hesitation, had always been relaxed.  He did not seem to be the same person as Grand Duke Ludwig, who was unresponsive even at the death of his parents.

‘This time again? What are you talking about, Kailos Ludwig? You were the one who sent her to me and took her back.’

‘…….’

Kailos, who was glaring at Raymond with fierce eyes, suddenly shook his shoulders and began to burst out laughing.

‘You are like an idiot who doesn’t know anything, pretending to be an emperor!’

Raymond looked at his arrogant half-brother indifferently. In the end, he smiled and joked with tears in his eyes. It was embarrassing to call him ‘brother’ anymore.

‘I shouldn’t have killed you so beautifully then. If there comes a moment in this life when I have to kill you again, Raymond, none of your limbs will be intact.’

‘As much as you like.’

Raymond was not afraid of enemies who approached him after revealing themselves.

He turned around as he no longer felt like dealing with Kailos. As soon as he closed the door, he heard things crashing and breaking in the room, but Raymond turned around indifferently.

She hoped that she would never have anything to do with the Grand Duke of Ludwig. Chloe Garnet’s life, which had once been involved with the brothers due to ambitions, was sufficiently hurt.

Had it not been for the Grand Duke to take advantage of her, or for the unthinkable things he had spoken of, then she might have been able to live happily in the place where she was born and raised, being the wife of an unknown man.

Nevertheless, she didn’t think her misfortune was due to the brothers. Rather, she was a good woman who thought that Raymond had become unhappy because of herself.

‘I don’t want Your Majesty to get involved with me.’

The conversation I had with her in the carriage was unforgettable.

Poor Chloe. Innocent Chloe. She was afraid that Raymond would get hurt solely because of her.

‘Your life is twisted because of me and my brother…….’

She had never been close to the throne in her life, but how could she think that her life was ruined only by herself and the Grand Duke of Ludwig?

‘You and me too. You shouldn’t get involved with my brother anymore.’

Therefore, we must keep him from approaching her and bothering her at the upcoming ball.

When Raymond was so determined, Daria’s voice awoke him from his thoughts.

“I have heard rumors that a lady who had been sponsored by Grand Duke Ludwig has become a maid of honor to the Empress. No matter how much Grand Duke Ludwig may be, he cannot treat Chloe recklessly in a gathering of people.”

“Well…”

Raymond remembered Kailos, who had half-mad eyes, and hoped he would make a rational judgment.

“So don’t worry too much, just keep your promise later.”

Raymond smiled deeply at Daria, who pouted her lips and grumbled.

“Of course, while Chloe’s safety is secured, what you want will come true.”

* * *

It didn’t feel right for Raymond when Chloe was escorted by another man as her partner. But he couldn’t be her partner, so he had no choice but to keep quiet.

‘Devil Daria……No, even if it’s not Daria, I shouldn’t approach her.’

He could see her walking from his window with another man’s escort. She burst into a small laugh at the man’s words, and her expression seemed much calmer.

“Your Majesty, it’s really time to go.”

Raymond sighed and closed the curtains at the urging of the valet. When he couldn’t see her anymore, he was finally able to turn his body around.

“Let’s go now.”

He entered with Daria calmly, and immediately went to his seat. The invited nobles came up one by one, congratulated Daria and went back.

“Ray, it’s your wife’s birthday. Can’t you put on a more friendly face?”

Daria said a word to Raymond, who was staring fiercely at the door where people entered the whole time.

“I’m just doing something a little more productive.”

“Is it productive to wait for Chloe and go blind by the time she comes?”

“It’s far more productive than pretending to be a loving husband by your side.”

Just as Daria was about to say another word, the door opened and Chloe appeared.

“Ah… “

Raymond groaned briefly at her appearance, which was much more beautiful than usual. He could hear Daria clicking her tongue next to him, but Raymond’s eyes were only on Chloe.

“I see the Sun of the Empire.”

Raymond looked down at Chloe, with the face of the man who greeted him next to her. A necklace of glass beads containing Astaroth petals sent in the morning was located near her collarbone.

Does she remember? The confession I made with the flower in the previous life.

“It suits you well.”

Chloe’s lovely face immediately blushed at that word, and his face softened.

He wanted to face her more, but there were many people waiting to greet Daria, so he couldn’t hold her back any longer. Raymond let her go, leaving his regret behind.

For Chloe, this ball will be the second ball in her life.

Raymond remembered the New Year’s ball from a long time ago, when he had fallen in love with her.

When he compared her carefully, he could see that now she was all dressed up to suit her own taste, not his.

She looked a lot more comfortable now, although a little more modest than she was back then when her silhouette was revealed, which emphasized her breasts and waist.

It was certain that she was afraid to meet the Grand Duke of Ludwig, but she was smiling and talking with her partner.

“Everyone’s looking at Chloe…….”

“No, Ray, you’re the only one looking at Chloe.”

Perhaps something came out of his mouth, but Daria shook her head and replied. But Raymond thought Daria was wrong.

Chloe shone as she stood still on the edge of this large ballroom. A person with good eyesight will never be able to take his eyes off her.

“Grand Duke Kailos Ludwig and the Marquis of Rosaline have arrived!”

If it had not been for the loud cry of the servant, this peace of peeping on her from afar would have continued.

Raymond looked at Chloe, who was noticeably agitated, and clutched at the armrest of the chair roughly.

‘It’s not that easy to get out of that shadow.’

He could see Kailos approaching her. She, who had been trembling until just now, slowly pulled the corners of her lips and looked at him. There was quite a contrast between her calm face and that of Kailos, who clasped her wrist in desperation.

‘I’m in trouble.’

Raymond hesitated to get up and help her right now. However, as soon as he intervened, it was clear that everyone’s eyes would be focused because, under normal circumstances, he would never have helped her.

It was when he was grinding his teeth with the intention of asking Daria for help.

An unusually bright platinum-haired knight appeared and whispered to Kailos. When he heard the news, he immediately went out, his face stiffened. On the way out, he looked back at Chloe and said something very much the same.

‘Are you relieved….’

Raymond sighed slowly and leaned back.

He was a little familiar with the Grand Duke’s knight, who continued the conversation while standing face to face with Chloe. Come to think of it, it was a man who escorted her every time in the past.

‘He had always been by her side like a shadow, but why did he change this time?’

He had a small question. Raymond, however, thought that this was all due to the change of Kailos, and lightly cleared the question.

The Knight comforted her and whispered something. Chloe’s look at him also seemed more peaceful. He was jealous for no reason.

“It’s a big deal, Raymond. The man next to Chloe, he looks amazing.”

Raymond’s eyebrows twitched at Daria’s naughty joke.

“So? He doesn’t look very handsome.”

“Well, Raymond…….”

When Raymond answered curtly, Daria curled her eyebrows as if she was sorry, blurring the end of her speech.

“You must have been blinded by jealousy and lost your sight…….”

“Shut up Daria.”

Daria smirked as he let out a small swear word.

“Still, I’m your wife, but you talk too harshly, don’t you?”

Having said that, she looked quite happy. Had others seen it, they would have thought she was close to the Emperor.

“Damn, Chloe followed the handsome man out.”

Daria provoked Raymond in a tone that was not at all regretful.

“What about our Ray now?”

“No way, Chloe is not a woman who is obsessed with beauty, so it’s all right.”

“How do you know that?”

“If Chloe had been a woman of such fascination, she would have loved me long ago.”

Raymond replied indifferently, staring at Chloe’s back as she followed the blonde knight outside.