Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 116: Touch (5)

Chapter 116: Touch (5)

"I am finished," Agnes said, taking a step back.

"Thank you. I know it was sudden to get me dressed again. I must find the head maid," Selene said, rising from her seat.

"Are you going for a stroll? I can get you a parasol," said Agnes.

"I’ve walked around outside enough for the day. It is inside the estate I must walk since I got lost again. I wasn’t aware Xavier knew about it. What?" Selene asked, wanting to know the reason behind Agnes’s smile.

"You have become quite comfortable saying his name. The lord must be quite pleased with it," Agnes said, imagining his smile when he first heard his name from Selene. Agnes had been awaiting when Selene would causally speak to the lord.

"Well, I did say I would need some time to get used to not using his title. He is my husband so I must use his name. I didn’t know you took notice of such things. I sometimes worry about you going over to his side one day," said Selene.

Agnes was surprised to hear Selene say this. "Never! While I enjoy seeing how the lord tends to you, I am most loyal to you. Not even the queen could command me to turn against you."

"I know, Agnes. I wasn’t thinking you would backstab me. I don’t mind that as my maid you have taken a liking to my marriage or if you one day are able to speak with Xavier. I know there isn’t much for you two to speak about other than me but I don’t want it to be that you fear him," said Selene.

"I cannot help it. He is intimidating," Agnes spoke softly but had a feeling it was still heard by Xavier. It was mostly his gaze and how powerful he was. There was more to Lord Blackthorn than see at first glance.

"He is intimidating at first but then you find that he is mostly annoying with his teasing. I thought he would not be at my side so much but he is," Selene sighed.

"We are not all fortunate to see his soft side. I know we shouldn’t believe rumours but I have heard things about why others fear him. I must admit it is surprising to not see most of what I heard from him. Perhaps it was all lies," said Agnes.

Agnes was most afraid of the said dungeon with screaming victims.

Selene knew there were things Xavier had done in secret so some of what was said might be true but he was quite calm to her.

"Oh, Harold. We are done," Selene said, greeting the butler. She made way for Harold to enter the room. "I have noticed for some time now that you are the only one who enters this room. Why don’t the maids come here?"

"I am the most trusted servant in the estate so to prevent any accidents, I am the take care of the room or watch over maids allowed to enter. It was the same rule with the coffin room but if you would like to have maids enter without me then I can make arrangements for you. After speaking to Lord Blackthorn," said Harold.

"That won’t be needed. Agnes will sometimes tidy the room before she leaves and there is something to enjoy about not having too many people come here. I feel like I am protected here," Selene said, deciding to stay to speak to Harold. "We were just speaking about my husband."

"I am getting to know him by what I see rather than by what others say about him. When we were younger, he was always off to the side. Now he is still out of the way from others and he is quite calm. It is hardly like what anyone says. I think they have twisted so much about him," Selene said but noticed a look from Harold.

"You avoided my eyes for a moment. Is there something you have to say?" Selene asked.

"Lord Blackthorn is as you see him. As his wife, you are witness to his softer side. Still, I wish for you to keep in mind that before your marriage he was preparing to rest for a long time. To enter a deep slumber isn’t as easy as one thinks. It is a long process of calming the body until you are ready to sleep," Harold explained.

Harold also knew of a method which involved forcing someone into a coffin against their will to have them rest. It was a horrific method which needed a witch.

"While Lord Blackthorn did not go through with it, there will be some effects wearing off so for a few days, he might feel tired or in a state where he won’t trouble himself to do much until his body is back to normal. When that happens, I think the temper some says he has will show.," Harold said, knowing it was coming soon.

Enough days had passed for Xavier’s body to go back to normal. Harold was thankful Xavier was able to walk around well.

Before Selene could fear what would come, Harold said, "You do not need to be afraid. It is outsiders who will face his anger. I ask that if he seems tired you make him rest so we can speed up the process."

Selene thought back to the morning she found Xavier still in bed and wouldn’t move. He said it was to make Agnes comfortable but now she knew it was more than that. "Forgive me. I was never told about how we prepare to enter a deep sleep. I will keep an eye on him."

It made Selene think of how much Xavier had done for her since she came here all while he might have felt tired.

"Harold, could you arrange for our dinner to be here? If possible, I would also like a nice wine," said Selene.

"I will make it happen," Harold replied.

"Thank you. I would like it done without Xavier finding out. I won’t get in your way any longer," Selene said, excusing herself from the room.

Again, Selene wondered what she could get from a man who had everything at his fingertip. He liked the sword she gifted him but she couldn’t give him another.

"Agnes, have you ever given a man a gift before?" Selene asked, needing ideas.

"I have not. If you need advice, should I find Lucas for you? I think he is still around," Agnes said, ready to run off.

"No," Selene sighed. "I will think of something myself."

"Perhaps what you need is another visit around the town. Something might get your attention while you stroll the market. It would be a good time to invite Lady Francesca to join you. Then she wouldn’t be in the estate before you get to know more about her," Agnes suggested.

"It is a good idea," Selene agreed.

"There are also other invitations sent for you. Will you meet with other women?" Agnes asked.

"Not with the ones who recently invited me. The queen’s games are not done and I don’t have time to waste on these games. Other friendships can wait. I must focus on why I came here. I need to find out who dealt with the case concerning my parents. It’s time I find the truth about what happened to them," Selene said.

"What about Gabriel?"

"That must wait. There is too much suspicion about me hurting his mother when I did not. I need to let that go away before I deal with him," Selene replied, off to find a quiet room to continue with her plans.