Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 32: First dinner (2)

Selene gave up and allowed Xavier to sit to the right of her. It was strange for him to sit there. She could see it on the maids’ faces how they found it odd Xavier was not sitting at the head of the table. It might have been strange already for him to be sitting here instead of having dinner in his room.

In time, they all needed to get used to it. Even Selene had to get used to it.

"Did the others fit? They weren’t all of the same size," Xavier said, curious as to how the other shoes fitted Selene.

"Some did and the others I gave to Agnes so your money wouldn’t be wasted. Thank you for all of them. It must have been a hassle to go around looking for them or did you employ someone to do it?" Selene asked since she couldn’t imagine Xavier going to the shops.

"I did it myself. I figured that with a woman like you, you would like it more if I picked them out. I will leave it to you to find out what else you will need. The records for the estate will be passed on to you after our wedding so you will see what is there for you to spend. Why the surprised look? You did not expect money from me?" Xavier wondered. freewēbnoveℓ.com

"I still have money my father left behind for me. It is enough for me to use right now," Selene replied.

"And what about in the future? I have enough money for the two of us so spend it or save it. Do whatever you want with it but know it is yours. I intend to do all of this correctly so you cannot one day badmouth me. You would need your tongue to do it but still," Xavier said as he poured wine into Selene’s glass.

"I would never badmouth you. As long as you continue to be kind, I will think highly of you. If you ever wish for us to part on good terms, I won’t think much of it nor would I badmouth you then. You are a hero to me," Selene said, hoping he did not underestimate how much she was grateful for him. "I will try to tell you regularly how grateful I am."

"It isn’t necessary but who am I to stop you from complimenting me? You should do it almost every day before bed. What? That isn’t vulgar," Xavier said, puzzled by her reaction. "The maids aren’t all so innocent to be affected by what I say. If they are, I have the solution of cutting off ears for anyone. It will be free."

Selene panicked along with the maids. "That won’t be needed. I didn’t think you were vulgar since it is a simple request I can do. At some point, you will grow tired of me telling you that I am grateful."

Xavier smiled. "How confident are you that I will grow tired of it?"

Selene’s shoulders dropped. "I am not confident anymore. I shouldn’t have agreed to it but I can’t go back on it now."

Selene noticed a maid rushing to Harold’s side and whispering something about a guest. A name wasn’t said but Selene knew something was wrong based on the way Harold hurried off.

Selene looked to Xavier who drank his wine without any care. He heard what the maid said as well but he wasn’t concerned. "Is this the way they react to all your guests?"

"No," Xavier sipped his wine. "There are only two people to make them this nervous. Do you not like wine?"

Selene glanced at the wine Xavier poured into a glass for her. The taste of the wine was the least of her concerns. She wanted to know who came to see Xavier and with Harold’s quick return, she was about to.

"Lord Blackthorn, your parents request entry into your home," said Harold. He didn’t bother to speak softly since Selene would hear.

"Tell me that I said I am not home. The wine," Xavier lifted Selene’s glass for her to have a taste.

Selene was dumbfounded. She didn’t know if she should speak on Xavier letting his parents know he said he wasn’t home or Harold not questioning it and going to relay the message.

"Careful with your mouth open like that. You do not know what might take the chance to enter," Xavier said as he set the glass down. "If you want dinner to remain peaceful, it is wise to not let them inside."

"I was not thinking about it. Tonight is not the time I expected to meet them. How soon did you leave that they had to come here to share more of their opinions? I- What is that noise?" Selene asked, startled by the noise of something shattering outside.

"My guards are doing what they are employed for. Sending away an intruder. If you are not interested in wine, I suggest you have some blood. Bring out the food," Xavier instructed the maids.

Selene tried to focus on Xavier and their dinner but it was hard when there was a sound of war outside. How had outside suddenly turned too loud with guards protecting the estate when she hadn’t spotted any of the guards yet?

"Xavier!" A scream similar to that of a banshee reached Selene’s ears.

Xavier remained unaffected by it. "That would be my mother. Ignore it. It is not from her being hurt."

"You are oddly calm. Is this what always happens when they visit you?" Selene asked, suddenly feeling afraid of what she got herself into.

"Only when they show up unannounced. There is a proper way to do things. Doesn’t it annoy you when someone shows up without telling you first and they bring trouble?"

Selene frowned. "Didn’t I do that to you? You had to prepare a grave that night."

"I knew you would be smart to come to me. I just didn’t know when and unlike my parents, I enjoy your company so you are always welcome. You must eat before the food gets cold. My parents can handle whatever my guards throw at them. They should be good at dodging by now," said Xavier.

Selene wanted to question what would be thrown but decided not to.

"I am thankful to be on the inside and not out there. I am tempted to get up to see your guards but I don’t want to be hit by anything that isn’t meant for me. I only hope they know that I have nothing to do with this. Thank you," Selene said, picking up the glass of wine.

She knew it was unlikely his parents would just leave so while she was able to, Selene had to enjoy her glass of wine and blood along with her food before the night became more chaotic.

The maids were quick to bring the food before it turned cold.

Unfortunately, Xavier’s patience slowly started to slip away since the noise outside was ruining the dinner he looked forward to since he returned home. Even Selene found it hard to focus on him.

Xavier set down his now empty glass. "Excuse me for a moment, Selene. I have some business to take care of quickly."