Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 78: Accusations (3)

Chapter 78: Accusations (3)

"He is out there again. I did not think he would ever enjoy going on a stroll so much. Are you certain he is well?" Gertrude, the head maid, asked.

"The lord is as well as ever. He simply enjoys being near the lady. During these times when they are alone, we mustn’t disturb them. They already have so much to face from the town," said Harold.

"I would not dare disturb them. It is good to see them enjoying married life. I would never have guessed he would marry. I hope it isn’t long before children are running around. The estate could use the laughter of children," Gertrude said, looking forward to those days.

Harold had a feeling those days would not come soon. "We should let them enjoy their time alone without children. Has her maid started to settle in now?"

Gertrude sighed. "She is with some of the maids but they are a little upset that the lady has not picked other maids to tend to her."

"I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the lady lost a maid dear to her and Agnes was by her side for years. It will take some before she picks another maid. The lady is humble unlike her peers," Harold said.

Gertrude smiled, noticing how gentle Harold was when speaking of Selene. "So it is true that you care deeply for the lady."

"Deeply? You should be careful with your choice of words so I am not killed. His jealousy grows by the day and I fear it is becoming quite dangerous. What is it?" Harold asked, turning to the maid who entered the kitchen.

"There are guards at the gates demanding the lord and lady open them to have a word," the maid passed on the message.

"Guards?" Gertrude spoke softly. "That cannot be good. Why must the lady be present?"

"We shall soon find out. I will inform the lord and lady about their guest. Do not let this get out just yet," Harold advised Gertrude.

Harold then left the kitchen to do something he didn’t want to do. He disturbed Xavier’s time with Selene. He knew Xavier wasn’t pleased when he caught up to the pair but Xavier’s true anger might come from the town guards being at his gates.

"I am sorry to interrupt your time. I was told that there are town guards at your gates seeking an audience with you. I await your orders," said Harold.

Selene looked at Xavier for an explanation. "Did you do something today?"

"No. Stay with Harold. I will see what the trouble is," Xavier said, lifting Selene’s right hand to kiss it before leaving her side.

The visits from the town guards were not an unusual sight for Xavier. Usually, they would end up leaving as fast as they came.

What was an unusual sight when he neared the gates was Gabriel standing with the guards.

"Well, this is an interesting day. I knew you would one day come here but not so soon. What is it now? What have you come to accuse me of?" Xavier asked the group.

Gabriel walked to the front so Xavier would see him clearly. "My mother was attacked and left to die today."

"May her soul rest well but I don’t see what that has to do with me. I hope you are not asking to place her on my land," said Xavier. He looked around at the empty space. "There isn’t any room and I dislike you."

"My mother is not dead. Selene didn’t get her wish," Gabriel replied.

"Oh," Xavier smiled, realising the reason for their visit. "You’ve come to accuse my wife. I wouldn’t do that."

"Why not?" Gabriel asked.

"You’re walking around getting ahead of yourself with accusations. I won’t stay quiet while you do it so please go tend to your mother and find the person who harmed her," Xavier said, knowing it wasn’t Selene since she would have informed him.

Gabriel grabbed one of the iron bars of the gates but soon released it as his hands started to burn.

"Lord Blackthorn," Eugene, one of the town guards, stepped forward. "There are serious accusations against your wife that I must look into. I must speak with both of you."

"What proof have you gathered so far that my wife injured his mother?" Xavier asked, patiently waiting to hear it.

Eugene opened his mouth to share what he knew but Gabriel beat him to it.

"They were both in the market today and there was a heated conversation between them. Selene’s attitude toward my mother changed near the divorce. It doesn’t come as a surprise she tried to kill my mother. Your power has gotten to her head," said Gabriel.

"If anyone on this estate were to go around killing anyone it would be me. I haven’t," Xavier quickly added before the guards got excited.

Eugene wasn’t fooled. "Of course, you wouldn’t admit to murder so easily. I have been on your track for months now. I will catch you."

"Not if I catch your first," Xavier smiled. "Could you all do me a tiny favour? Would you kindly get the hell off my land? I can kill you if you do not leave and I will gladly enjoy doing it."

"This is a serious matter, Lord Blackthorn. From what I was told, his mother is gravely injured. I only ask that I be invited inside to question you and your wife. I’m sure you would like to settle her innocence early before this gets out," Eugene said, trying to be the voice of reason.

Eugene had visited the estate a few times to know it wasn’t going to be as easy as Gabriel thought. They would need an order from the king to go on the land without Xavier welcoming them.

"I believe we have proven she is innocent. You are too caught up in your anger to think. I did not hear anything of my wife hurting anyone from her and I doubt she would just attack your mother. Perhaps your mother pissed off someone else. Go search elsewhere for her attacker," Xavier advised Gabriel.

"I have ended up at the gates of her attacker. How unfortunate for you and Selene that your plans didn’t go well. My mother gave Selene’s name before she fell unconscious. That is enough for the guards to go on. Isn’t it?" Gabriel turned to Eugene.

"It is enough for us to question the lady but you will not be there. It is time that you return home, Mr Valor," Eugene instructed Gabriel. He could not have Gabriel do something foolish like attack Selene before it was decided she was the one behind the attack.

Gabriel gripped his sword. He did not come all this way just to return without seeing Selene face consequences. "She tried to kill my mother."

"If she did, I will make sure the lady is dealt with but right now you are getting in the way of us doing our duty. You must be careful of what you say about the lord and lady. I shall send someone to give you the results of my findings. Please leave us on your own before I am forced to have you dragged away," said Eugene.

Gabriel didn’t like the order but he had no power here. He would leave for now but he would be back to deal with the couple himself.