Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 39: A mother’s wishes (3)

"Are you still in love with that man? What was his name? Gabriel?" Josephine asked, hoping she had got it right. She only knew his name because of what was said around the town.

"I do not love him anymore. We have both moved on. You never have to worry about me wanting to go back to him," Selene answered.

"I hope so. I hear he is planning to marry a human. You are not getting married to do as he is doing, are you?" Josephine inquired.

"Of course not. What do you take her for?" Xavier asked as he entered the room.

His arrival surprised Josephine.

"Xavier, I didn’t think I would see you today. You didn’t have some hole to crawl into so you could hide from me?" Josephine asked but she was still pleased to see him.

Xavier took his seat beside Selene. "I have a wedding to plan so I cannot leave Selene alone. When you asked to come see her, you didn’t mention it would be to interrogate her. I would prefer you not speak of her ex-husband in our home." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Josephine paid attention to the words Xavier used. She smiled since he said our home. Xavier wasn’t one to make a mistake when speaking about his home. "It was wrong of me to bring him up now. I hope you can forgive me, Selene."

"I can. I am not upset that you mentioned his name. I cannot escape hearing his name," Selene replied.

Despite Selene not caring about it, Xavier didn’t want to hear about Gabriel. "Still, I would not like to hear it here. What else must you ask her, mother? More about using my status or her intentions? What would you do if I wanted her to use me? She should use the Blackthorn name well."

"But she must be careful with it. You know how the others are. I have not seen Selene in years so there is much I do not know about her. You moved out of town and when you returned, you weren’t social. I would like to get to know more about her if you do not mind," Josephine said since Xavier was a little too protective.

It was a strange sight which scared Josephine. She wasn’t aware Xavier knew how to be this way with anyone.

"You may get to know her but it shouldn’t feel like we are in the court. Selene wouldn’t be here if her intentions were bad. We both know she wouldn’t have made it beyond my gate. She has a good heart. More of a good heart than the two of us put together. We could use someone like her in this awful family," Xavier said, moving his hand to hold Selene’s.

Xavier smiled, amused by how Selene didn’t pull her hand away. She didn’t want to ruin the act of them being in love before his mother which gave him the chance to bother Selene.

Selene squeezed Xavier’s hand. They did not need to hold hands now but she couldn’t try her hand away from his to look odd in front of Josephine.

"I wouldn’t say the family is awful. You will need to be careful with that kind heart. Many will see it as a weakness and use it against you. You need to be tough when in this family. Please keep that in mind," Josephine advised Selene.

"I will," Selene answered.

"She can remain as kind-hearted as she is now. I will deal with the fools who try to harm her,’ said Xavier.

Josephine forced a smile. That might be lovely for anyone else to hear but not her. "You will not always be at her side. Selene cannot depend on you. She must be able to stand on her own."

"Then I will make an example out of someone so they will think twice before approaching her. I already plan to keep her away from most of them. Problem solved," Xavier said, shifting his hands to avoid Selene’s nails which were now digging into his skin.

"I will grow to not need Xavier at all times. I want to be stronger for my sake and everyone around me. Not only because I will be a Blackthorn but I want to protect myself," Selene spoke up.

Josephine smiled since she was getting her way. "That is wise of you. We cannot always depend on our husbands to protect us. There are some battles they cannot fight for us. Speaking of husbands, when will you speak to your father?"

"That is someone you should not speak of here. You know what he thinks of this engagement so leave him out of what is said today. I have let you inside. Do not ruin it," said Xavier.

"Must you punish me for the things your father does?" Josephine questioned, unknowingly losing sight of what she had come for. "I came here in support of you."

"I want it to stay that way by focusing on our wedding. Someone who is not here shouldn’t be mentioned in our conversation. What more must I say to him when he wants me to marry someone else? I have only ever asked you to not force me to speak to him yet you continue to ignore my wishes," Xavier said, annoyed that this was going just as he knew it would.

"Perhaps it is best you leave us for now so you do not need to answer to something you do not like. I will be fine," Selene said in an attempt to stop Xavier from becoming angry. "I would like to finish my talk with your mother."

"No, stay," Josephine pleaded. "I won’t mention your father again. I would like to speak to both of you. I can see that there is something between you."

Josephine couldn’t ignore that Xavier calmed down after Selene spoke up. "I have ruined the mood. I apologise for it. Maybe a change in scenery could make it better. Would you like to go for a walk? I have not walked around the estate for some time now."

"I would love that. I love exploring the estate. Will you join us, Xavier?" Selene asked, only willing to go if Xavier would.

"Very well," Xavier replied and stood up first to help Selene up.

Josephine stood up to lead the way to where she wanted to go. If she could turn this all around then she might be able to ask Selene more questions.

Selene tried to think of a way to make Xavier feel better. It was too soon to speak of his father.

Selene allowed Xavier to keep holding her hand. "Will you stay angry for a long time?"

"I am not angry. I am annoyed. I knew she would bring him up. If she asks any questions you do not want to answer, feel free to tell her to move on. We have plenty of time for her to learn more about you by being near you."

"I wasn’t annoyed by what she asked. It seems you are more annoyed. I understand not wanting to be forced to get along with someone or speak to them but you should think of your mother’s position. Maybe your tone should be a bit softer. I’m sorry if I am stepping too far into your family matters," Selene said.

They weren’t family yet for her to have a say.

"You are not overstepping. You can have your opinion and give your advice. I would only be annoyed with you if you were to invite my father without my knowledge," Xavier said, squeezing Selene’s hand.

With his mother’s back turned to them, Xavier wondered why Selene hadn’t yanked her hand away.

"I would never surprise you with a visit from your father. I know better than to do that,’ Selene replied.