Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord -
Chapter 128: A new friend (1)
Chapter 128: A new friend (1)
Selene continued to show Xavier around the home but eventually needed to leave if she wanted to meet Francesca on time. She left with Lucas and Xavier who suddenly had business in town.
Selene grew accustomed to the attention she would get when she reached the town because of Xavier’s carriage. There was no way to hide her visit when riding around in the unique black carriage.
Xavier opened the carriage door for Selene and offered his hand to help her out.
Selene placed her hand on Xavier’s to get out and right away started to look for Francesca.
"There she is," Selene said, finding Francesca standing near a carriage. "Will I need to wait for you when I am done? Are we going home in the carriage together?"
"No, I will find my way home. Stay close to Lucas and don’t speak to strangers," said Xavier.
"I am not a child. I know to be alert in the town. You worry too much," Selene replied but she secretly appreciated it.
"I must worry since you seem to attract trouble. If anything happens, have Lucas send for me and I shall be here as soon as I can. Do not let her out of your sight," Xavier ordered Lucas.
Selene wished they could go somewhere out of sight so she could see how he flew around the town. Selene didn’t think he was lying to her but since she had never seen anyone fly, it was hard to imagine.
She got lost in her thoughts as she tried to imagine how he would look flying around. Selene was brought back to reality when she felt his lips on her forehead.
"I will return to the estate in time for dinner," Xavier promised.
"Oh. Be safe," Selene said though she did not know where Xavier was going. She was curious about where he needed to go but knew now was not the time to ask when so many were eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I will. Your friend seems to be a bit impatient so you should go on. I will wait here until you are together," Xavier said.
Selene left Xavier’s side with Lucas to go over to Francesca who wore a big smile.
"Lady Blackthorn," Francesca greeted Selene. "You and your husband are putting on quite a show. You’ll be all the town speaks about for the week."
"Why?" Selene asked, failing to see what was gossipworthy. "Because we came together?"
"That and how affectionate you were. Most are afraid of the Blackthorns and since your husband isn’t fond of a lot of people, they tend to stay away from him. I am glad I have been able to witness your interaction. Then it is a lie that your marriage is some kind of lie," said Francesca.
"Lie?" Selene asked. She knew many did not understand how she came to marry Xavier and assumptions were flying around the town, but she had not heard of most. "Is it like the gossip that I seduced him?"
"More like you have something he doesn’t want to get out so he agreed to marry you. I think they are all silly rumours since Lord Blackthorn would have killed you if you tried to blackmail him," Francesca said, finding her peers to be foolish. "They will say anything to make you out to be evil."
Francesca continued, "It is all because you stole what they wanted. Before your marriage, there were many plotting how to get close to him. Even the rumours about him getting engaged to the princess did not stop it."
Selene walked with Francesca to get away from the small crowd. "Who started this talk about him being engaged to the princess?"
"The princess herself of course. When we attended social events with her, we were forced to listen to how her wedding would be. I thought it strange since I never heard of anyone seeing the two together. Since it came out you married him, I have not seen the princess," Francesca said, enjoying the peace.
Francesca could not tolerate both the queen and the princess.
"I advise you not to be in a close space to the princess before she has moved on to someone else. She was always so possessive of a man who did not belong to her. I never understood how she was accepting of the queen after the history there," said Francesca.
"I don’t know if you will be invited to other events around the town since the queen doesn’t like you so most of the women will follow her lead. Others will try to play nice since they don’t want to upset your husband. For me, I am more scared of Xavier than I am of the queen. It also helps that I like you," Francesca gave her reasoning.
There was a good chance that when Vivienne learned of Francesca spending time with Selene, she might also stop receiving invitations but Francesca did not mind. It was tiring to have to play nice with the queen.
If the king looked your way with interest, the queen would take her anger out on you and Francesca was tired of it.
"So, you think there is some benefit to being a friend to me since my husband would not trouble you?"
Francesca nodded her head. "He does business with my husband which I don’t want to ruin. I am giving you a chance since you put on quite the show. You spoke back to the queen and her little followers. I think you will shake up the town so I want to be at your side to see how you do it."
"Oh!" Francesca clapped her hands as she remembered something. "Did you take my advice about the hobby?"
"No," Selene softly replied.
"Why not? When you have such a good-looking husband it is a waste of time not to use him. Unless the looks are the only good thing,’ said Francesca. It would be disappointing if Xavier was not good in bed.
"It is not that. He is," Selene started but folded her lips. Why did vampires need to have good hearing?
"Oh. I understand it. You must need a little help. Come with me," Francesca said, taking Selene’s hand to lead her to a shop. "There are ways to make it more exciting so leave it to me to help you."
Selene feared what Francesca meant by making it more exciting. "I do not need any help. We are fine."
"Then what is holding you back from making use of a man who is clearly in love with you? If it is that you are inexperienced then I can help. I am not shy when it comes to these kinds of talks," said Francesca.
"Is he the kind of man to suggest something you do not like so you are against it"" Francesca said, knowing there were many men in town like this.
"No. None of that is why I haven’t made my husband my hobby. I want to find something else to do with my time. He overheard what you said and mentions it quite often now. He was more than happy to offer himself to me," Selene replied.
"Oh, so it is all you holding back. I do not blame you. As confident as I am, I would feel weak before a man like that. That is it!" Francesca realised Selene’s problem. "You are weak before him. Again, I can help with that."
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