Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 64: Fool (2)

Chapter 64: Fool (2)

"What are you doing?" Nathaniel asked, puzzled by what Josephine kept herself busy with these days. "Haven’t you bought enough? And what is this? I don’t like it."

Josephine snatched the shirt from Nathaniel’s hand. "It is not for you. I only realised after the wedding that I didn’t prepare enough wedding gifts for Xavier. He can buy what he will need but still, he should be given something. Do not look at me like that."

Nathaniel continued to show his disapproval of Josephine’s interest in Xavier’s marriage.

"I told you that I am against this marriage. Why do you continue to work against me by showering that woman with gifts? The others are not pleased and if they know you have been showing so much support, they will direct their anger to you," said Nathaniel.

"How many times will you tell me about your family becoming upset? I’ve heard about it enough and my decision remains to support the marriage. I am preparing more gifts for the two of them so don’t bother me. Hurry," Jopsehine ordered her maids.

Josephine needed to move fast to get the gifts to Xavier before Nathaniel did something to ruin them.

Josephine walked out of the room, leaving the maids to pack all that she prepared and then send them off to the estate.

Nathaniel followed Josephine since their talk wasn’t over with. "Think of how it looks for me if you are in support of it. The others are coming to speak to Xavier about it."

Josephine sighed, secretly wishing she could snap her fingers to make Nathaniel disappear. "We have already been over this. If your family wants to share their displeasure with me, tell them to save their breath. It is pointless to come to town to try to make him change his mind."

"He will lose favour with some of the family-"

"The very family he has distanced himself from?" Josephine interjected, turning around to face her husband. "Year after year, you only notice what you want concerning our son and I am pulled into the hate he has for you. I advise you to leave him since he is already married. You will only show the Blackthorns are divided if you object."

"He has married that girl of all women in town. I would rather he marry a mixed-blood before her. It is nonsense and the support you have shown them baffles me. You can care for your son in other ways. Why force yourself to welcome her?" Nathaniel asked.

Josephine pinched the bridge of her nose. Nathaniel wasn’t listening to her. "I have come to like her. If you would keep your mouth shut and get to know her then you would see she is not bad. I have witnessed how much they care for each other."

Nathaniel didn’t care about such things. "I’m such she will appear as if she is madly in love. He provides her with protection. You don’t know the conflict we find ourselves in. We were close to arranging for Xavier to marry the princess or one of the other ladies. Xavier turning to a lady from a fallen home is a slap in the face to the other families."

"I understand you find yourself in trouble because you were the one going around trying to find a wife for Xavier. Now it comes off as if you played them. Again, you must admit your fault and stop trying to ruin their marriage. He will come after you if you keep this up," said Josephine.

Nathaniel wished his wife would stop acting like there was something for him to be afraid of. "I taught that boy all that he knows. His power comes from me."

Josephine shook her head. "You say that but you are quite interested in Xaxier’s life because of the power you think he has. I know you are afraid so instead of fighting him, you have called upon the rest of your family. Why can’t you just accept that this is who he wants?"

"Maybe our grandchildren will be strong and marry someone from one of the other families. It is not over right now so please, give their marriage a chance. I do not enjoy having to beg my husband to be a father to his son. A good father,’ Josephine added before Nathaniel claimed he acted as a father.

"A good mother wouldn’t allow this to happen and do nothing. I am going to meet with the others now. I shall come up with something to cover for you. I can’t have them know my wife has become a fool," Nathaniel spoke softly but it was loud enough for Josephine to hear.

Josephine rushed to grab a vase and threw it in Nathaniel’s direction. "A fool? You want to call me a fool when I am being a good parent? Say it with your chest!" She yelled, pulling a portrait off the wall to throw. "I am not the fool here."

Nathaniel turned around just in time to dodge the portrait of his grandfather. "Josephine! Have you lost your mind, woman?"

Nathaniel’s back ached from where the vase hit him but the pain quickly went away as his body healed. "Do not throw that. My grandfather will want to wake up and see his portraits still in one piece."

Josephine pulled another portrait from the wall. ’How dare you call me a fool. You don’t get to speak to me like that. I am the one who tries to keep this family together. I’m afraid you are the only fool here. I," Josephine stopped when she grabbed a portrait of herself and Xavier.

Josephine gently placed the portrait back on the wall. "I suggest before you leave to see your family you take some clothes and all that you will need for a few days. I don’t want to see you soon or I might stab you in your sleep."

’You will ruin our marriage over this? It shouldn’t come to me having to stay away for a few days. It is time you see their marriage is affecting everyone around them," said Nathaniel.

Josephine laughed as she approached Nathaniel. He flinched when she raised her hand to touch his face. "Oh, Nathaniel. This doesn’t have anything to do with their marriage but all to do with me growing tired of you and calling me a fool," she said, digging her nails into his face.

The marks wouldn’t last long and certainly wouldn’t hurt him but Josephine found some relief in it.

"Never in your life call me a fool again or allow anyone around you to address me that way. It will be your heart I sink my nails into next if you allow it. A few days away from each other is better than me leaving your side for good. I am counting on you to come up with a good story for your family. See you then," Josephine tiptoed to kiss the fading marks she made.

Josephine walked away from Nathaniel before the sight of his face caused her to throw something else. Nathaniel was always a man with a bit of a temper but she drew the line at him insulting her.

Nathaniel remained still, watching Josephine walk away like she hadn’t scratched his face a moment ago. Seeing how she reacted, it was best to destroy Xavier’s marriage in secret so Josephine could not hurt him or warn Xavier of what was coming.