How to tame my beastly husband

Chapter 10

Gerard was a promising butler. Capable, which earned him the approval of the Duke of Bavaria. Coming from a family of foreign nobility, his manners were perfect, and he was handsome, too. He was very good at his job, and Annette had received meticulous care from him since she was a child.

But that's it. I can't stand by and let him be rude to my husband.

Annette bit her lips, moving to the front door. She saw Gerard standing straight, calm and graceful as always, and at once, she spotted the problem. He would never have adopted such an attitude before.

And his posture...

He looked very proud and confident, and it wouldn't have been a problem, had he not been addressing a superior. He was speaking to none other than Marquis Raphael Carnesis, and it was disrespectful, and there was no way that Gerard would not know this basic etiquette. It could only be deliberate.

Annette frowned and walked toward the door. Raphael, who was as sensitive as a beast to his surroundings, sensed her first and glanced back. When Gerard followed his gaze and saw who was approaching, his eyes widened very slightly.

"Good morning, Marchioness of Carnesis."

"Gerard."

Immediately, he bowed his head to her in recognition. Apparently, his neck only bowed to members of the Bavaria family.

Raphael's blue eyes narrowed dangerously. Maybe he would see if the butler was so stiff-necked after he had cut his head off the top of it.

Annette, who could at least guess Raphael's mind, was stung by the violence in his eyes. Before he could do anything that could not be undone, she cleared her throat.

"Gerard, what's going on?" She asked. "Why are you making a fuss so early in the morning?"

"I beg your pardon, madam. I came here at the Duke's command, but was unable to complete my task without disturbance. I apologize if I have inconvenienced you in any way," he said, politely bowing.

He no longer called Annette my lady. Well, that was the correct address, now that she was married, though since this was the first time she had seen him since the wedding, it felt a little strange.

"I'm glad you're following your orders. Gerard, how many years have you been serving the House of Bavaria?"

"Twelve years now, Young La–I mean, Marchioness." Gerard corrected himself belatedly, sweating. Anne's sudden appearance was very embarrassing.

In an argument, the first one to be unbalanced was most likely to lose. Annette had already won this one.

"Twelve years! That's long enough to have learned proper etiquette. Can you explain your attitude toward my husband, Gerard? Anyone who saw you would think you were the master of this house."

"Madam, that was never my intention! I'm sorry, I think there is a misunderstanding, but I'm..."

Flustered, he hurried to try to save himself, but Annette was not a person who could be swayed by eloquent apologies. She was also a Bavaria. Correcting an erring employee was as natural to her as breathing.

Annette lifted her chin to confront the much taller man.

"What misunderstanding! I saw it with my own eyes! How could you be so rude to my husband? Is it that you think I am no longer your mistress anymore, now that I have married? So there is no need to show the proper respect to me or my husband?"

As she scolded him, it seemed that she was about to burst from anger and sorrow. But that was only for show. Annette knew that Gerard had not chosen to do this himself. He was an exemplary butler who would have politely entertained even commoners that came to the Bavaria house.