Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 26: Disapproval (1)

"What are your plans for the rest of the day? Do you intend to cover the last part of the estate you have not seen or take a tour of my land?" Xavier asked.

"Even though it will be small, a wedding is to be planned. It will not take long so I will get it out of the way now. Then I will visit your room to see if my things were put away where they belonged. It is only a trunk so I shouldn’t need much room. Are you leaving?" Selene asked, eyeing the carriage that had not left.

"Yes. Rather than send a letter, I will visit my parents to tell them the good news. We should save your time meeting them again for another day," Xavier said before Selene could offer to tag along. freēwēbnovel.com

"I feel something about this news won’t make them happy so you want to go alone. Well, if there is anyone to convince them to accept me, it is you. The sun is awfully hot today so I will stay inside. I know it doesn’t affect you but you shouldn’t stay in the light too much. What?" Selene asked, confused by his growing smile.

What did she say that amused him?’

Whenever Xavier smiled, Selene started to note how he would tease her about something soon after. They didn’t spend many days together, but Selene quickly understood him.

"It already feels like I have a wife telling me to take care of myself and not to be out long. I will return soon. I won’t be gone so long I will miss dinner," Xavier promised.

"You can do as you like. You don’t need to return quickly because of me. I am getting to know everyone inside and I can have dinner alone. I am not quite certain where your parents reside but I do know they are not close by. It will be a long ride so take your time," said Selene.

"I have promised to sit with you for dinner so I will be here. I am a man of my word. Since the sun bothers you, you should go inside. Harold will get anything you need or you can go to the head maid. If you miss me, send a servant to get me. A day will come," Xavier said, confident she will miss him at some point. "My presence is always missed."

"I wish to have a piece of your confidence one day," Selene muttered.

Xavier oozed confidence which made him not fear anyone. Not even the king as Selene saw today.

Xavier returned to the carriage to leave so Selene could go inside. As much as he would like to stay to see what trouble she might find herself in or see what part of the estate she would unknowingly claim, informing his parents of the coming marriage needed to be out of the way so he could get to the fun he looked forward to.

Hours later, Xavier arrived at the family home his parents claimed. It had been a good number of weeks since he last visited the home so the unexpected visit would be suspicious but welcomed.

Xavier exited the carriage and went to the front doors which were quick to be opened by a servant.

"The master and lady are in the study," came the monotone voice of the butler.

"I should have brought Harold to see you but he is quite busy at the moment. If there is something you need to pass on to him, I will play messenger today. I will need a shirt. One that is a close match to the one I am weaning now. I am sure you of all people will find one," Xavier said and then left the butler’s side.

Xavier didn’t make it far from the front door since his mother came running down the stairs.

"I thought I heard wrong but it is you. What do we owe for this visit? Have you found yourself in trouble? Or, have you come to tell us of that silly plan to go to sleep?" Josephine Blackthorn asked.

Josephine never struck Xavier with her hand but if she heard about a coffin one more time then she might have to hit sense into him.

"Tell me the truth, have you harmed someone?" Josephine asked.

"Would you hide me here if I did?" Xavier inquired.

"I would but that wouldn’t be needed. You wouldn’t be so foolish to be caught but I do believe one day you might snap and kill Darius. Try not to," Josephine said as she tidied his shirt. "Do I smell a woman on you? It is faint."

"Do you? I only held her hand. How certain are we that you are not part wolf with that nose you have?" Xavier asked, earning a pinch on his hand.

"I am not a dog. My family has always had a good sense of smell which is quite useful for moments like this. Who is she? Tell me you are not like Agatha’s son who runs around with every whore in town. She had the nerve to compare you. I have never wanted to kill someone so much," said Josephine.

Xavier didn’t respond since his attention was now on his father who wore the usual scowl.

"He’s too busy trying to put himself to sleep to be running around with a woman. He’s hellbent on having us become the joke amongst the families. If you’ve come to say you have decided to go through with it then leave," said Nathaniel Blackthorn.

"I have put away my coffin but I might have some use for it depending on how you act now. I can always have a new one made for myself. So tell me, would you like to know what it feels to be in one, father?" Xavier asked, ready to stuff his father inside.

"Watch your mouth here. This might work on others but not on me," Nathaniel replied.

"If the two of you fight in my home, I will see to it there are two coffins. Before you bicker, I want to know the reason behind the visit. This isn’t like you to come out of the blue without any notice," Josephine said, suspicious of Xavier’s presence. "What happened?"

"I will be getting married soon. My future bride thought it would be important to tell you before the town learns of it. You have gotten your wish," said Xavier.

Josephine questioned her good hearing. The son who seemingly hated everyone was getting married?

Nathaniel was pleased since there was a constant question about when Xaiver would pick a woman. "Which family is she from?"

It was important to Nathaniel that Xaiver married a woman from any of the other four families to create a bloodline that would be strong.

"She is a pureblood which is all that matters. I do not care about her family. Do you remember Selene Harrison-"

"It shouldn’t be the Selene I am thinking of," Nathaniel was quick to interject. "You wouldn’t be so foolish to marry a woman from a family of traitors. A woman who married that mixed-blood fool they are celebrating."

"You should be careful when speaking about my future wife," Xavier advised his father.