Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 40: A mother’s wishes (4)

Selene tried to slip her hand out of Xavier’s hand since he seemed to have calmed down but he would not let go of her. She was tempted to pull her hand away as rough as she needed to even if she would look crazy to Josephine.

"There are plenty of rooms in the estate. It would be lonely if it were just the two of you. Have you thought about having children?" Josephine asked. She turned around to look at the couple. "I hope it will be soon."

Selene almost tripped because of the sudden mention of children. "We have not."

"That shouldn’t be any of your concern, mother. I will be alive for a long time so why would I bother myself with children at the start of my marriage? Do not scare her," Xavier said, pulling Selene close so he could hug her. "She is shy."

Josephine examined Selene’s face and noticed she was embarrassed. What was there to be shy about? Since the pair were living together, Josephine assumed they were already sleeping together. "There’s no harm in sharing a bed now. Don’t follow human tradition to wait but I suppose the build-up from waiting would be exciting."

"You hear that, Selene? It is fine to share a bed now," Xavier said, smiling whilst Selene glared at him. "No need to use another room."

"Never mind," Josephine muttered. "I don’t want to hear you speak of this. Forget about that but don’t forget I will want to be a grandmother someday. The elders are looking forward to the day you have a child, Xavier."

"I know not to speak of your father but I want you to know the others will come around because they have been waiting to see if your child will be stronger than you. That is why they have been pushing for you to marry a woman from one of the other four families. You may thank me for this news later," said Josephine.

Xavier didn’t plan to thank anyone. "I already knew this. You’re late with offering me good news. You can tell them they will have to wait longer and if they continue to push, it will be decades before I have my first child."

Selene looked at Xavier, her mind trying to digest every word he spoke. Since they were going to get married, was he expecting the child to come from her? She didn’t place him as someone who would ever want children.

’He is just saying this because his mother is here,’ Selene thought.

Selene sighed in relief. She was overthinking this when they were both putting on an act now.

Selene snapped out of her thoughts when she felt Xavier’s lips on the back of her hand. "You!"

"You seemed lost in thought. Something you need to share?" Xavier asked.

"Why would you... Let go!" Selene demanded. He was having too much fun.

"I am not a prude, Selene. If anything, this shows that I was wrong. My son appears to be in love with you. I’ve never seen him be this way so it is a little hard to get used to. I have much to thank you for," Josephine said to Selene. "I hope you can make this estate a little more lively and ensure he will not place himself in a coffin."

Josephine thought she intruded on their time a little too much. "You won’t need me for planning a wedding since it will be small but if there is anything you need, please reach out to me. I will come alone without Nathaniel. I look forward to what will become of you two."

"Now would you please leave so I can speak to Selene alone? I won’t speak of her ex-husband or bring up her family. So leave us be so I can get to know her again without you taking up her attention. Go," Josephine tried to chase Xavier away.

She took it further by approaching Xavier to push him away.

Selene was relieved when Xavier let go of her hand and started to leave them though there was a bit of hesitation.

"He is as playful as he is serious. I don’t know how you do it," Josephine said, impressed by Selene.

"I’ve learned how to deal with him a bit. He isn’t so bad once you get used to him but there are times when I want to pinch him. Oh," Selene covered her mouth.

Josephine laughed. "Don’t worry. I’ve had my share of wanting to pinch him too. For the rotten child he could be sometimes, he deserves it. Come, we have much to talk about," she said, now in search of a place where Xavier might not be able to hear them.

Selene followed Josephine. It was going so well now that it all felt too good to be true.

Less than an hour later, Josephine left the estate to return home.

Selene went in search of Xavier. He didn’t show up again to check on her talk with his mother so Selene became curious about what mischief he found himself in.

Selene ended up before his bedroom door. She knew he was inside but there wasn’t any sound coming from it. She knocked and waited for a response but after a few knocks with nothing, she just opened the door.

Selene frowned right as soon as she opened the door because Xavier was lying on the bed watching her as she entered. "Since you are wide awake and knew I was there, why didn’t you open the door for me or at least answer?"

"I was waiting for you to remember this is your room so you could enter as you like. Has my mother left?" Xavier asked.

Selene closed the door behind her. "She has. Our talk went well. We are not close yet and despite what she says, she is still worried but it is good for me. We have a long time to reach what we had before and more."

"Good. Did you come to find me because you missed me?" Xavier asked, hoping the time had come.

"No," Selene shook her head. "I was curious if you found something bad to do to keep you distracted. You were only lying around? I find that hard to believe. There is nothing else you have to do with your time?"

"You want me to be moving around doing work? I sat down on this bed a little before you knocked on the door. You are welcome to join me instead of standing around," Xavier said, extending his hand for Selene to come to him. ’It is comfortable."

"I like where I am standing. You had your fun today teasing me before your mother since you know I wouldn’t stop it. I have to know. Are you expecting to have a child with me? It sounds like the Blackthorns are growing impatient," said Selene.

"They are an impatient bunch but I would never have a child to please them. They like to go on about an heir but since I will live for a long time, I don’t think about an heir. I told you to not let anyone pressure you. I don’t need a child," Xavier said to calm her thoughts.

"That is good to hear once more. I am not ready to be anyone’s mother. I’m currently dealing with preparing to be your wife. So what you said was to upset the Blackthorns. That relieves me of worry," said Selene.

"Still, if there is ever a time you would want to have a child, I am more than willing to do my part. Rather than ask, surprise me," Xavier encouraged Selene.

"Are you aware that it will be your child as well?" Selene asked. He would be stuck with a child he wasn’t planning to have before she came around.

"I am very aware unless there would be some magic to turn it into another man’s child," Xavier said, his mood suddenly turning sour.

"Rest assured that I am not interested in children as well. I have never been one to be excited for them," Selene replied, thankful they both agreed on this.

"My offer extends to other things like if you find yourself lonely-"

"You should be quiet before you find one of those pillows over your face," Selene warned Xavier. His little jokes were going to get him in trouble if he wasn’t careful. "I will leave you be. I cannot take any more of your games."

"Games?" Xavier repeated. "This is hardly a game, Selene."