Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 80: Betrayal (1)

Chapter 80: Betrayal (1)

"There is something else I overheard which might lead others to think your wife is behind it. All the talk about the affair you were having is passing through the market. Gossip has its positives for us as it reveals things which might be useful," said Eugene.

This was news to Xavier since he came right home after speaking to his family.

"Enlighten me," Xavier said, his anger turning to another issue. ’What are these rumours saying? I don’t recall having an affair with a married woman."

Eugene bit his tongue. He thought Xavier would have heard it by now since his ears seemed to pick up everything in town. "I am getting the feeling that I shouldn’t have spoken of that. I do not believe all rumours but whoever is sharing it seems hellbent on letting it spread quickly."

Eugene knew from experience that by the next day all everyone would speak of was an affair. It was bad timing for Selene to also be accused of hurting Lucinda.

"I don’t care what you believe, I want to know what you heard. Never mind," Xavier decided not to use Eugene. He could find the fool doing this and deal with them.

Xavier already had a good clue who would say Selene was having an affair. There was one person who would benefit from others thinking Selene had an affair first.

"I did not speak of it for you to go on a hunt for the person behind it," Eugene said even though he knew his words were useless.

"I am not going for a hunt right now. I am staying at my wife’s side to comfort her. You have brought something she will think about all day," said Xavier.

It was bad enough that Selene had to think about Gabriel to get her revenge but now this would be on her mind as well. It was unfortunate that a day she enjoyed had turned to this.

"That would be best," Eugene agreed with Xavier staying home. "After I speak to your servants, I will leave. I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I’m sorry your wife has to deal with this. If there isn’t any proof then I will have Gabriel stop claiming her to be the one behind this."

"However," Eugene added. "If Lucinda wakes and says your wife’s name in her story, I will have to come again. It would be good if your wife returned home long before the attack on Lucinda."

Xavier didn’t respond to Eugene since he heard Harold approaching with Agnes and the others.

Rather than stand by to listen, Xavier left to find Selene. Luckily, he did not have to go far to find her.

"Selene, they cannot just place this on you. You will be fine," Xavier assured her.

Selene stood leaning on a wall with her eyes closed. She needed a moment to calm herself down. "Why did she have to say my name? She was the one who approached me to create trouble. Why must she drag me into this as well?"

Selene opened her eyes to look at Xavier. He seemed to share her anger and believe that she didn’t have any part in this. "This day was going so well."

"And it will continue to be well. Your innocence will be proven by where you went today. You got what you went for and returned home. For the time I have known you, you wouldn’t have sent anyone to harm her. Especially a human," said Xavier.

Selene appreciated Xavier was on her side. She was married to Gabriel longer than she was to Xavier yet it was Xavier who knew the kind of person she was.

Selene didn’t know what came over her when she stepped forward to rest her head on Xavier’s shoulder. She needed someone in the moment to help with her anger and he was the best person to use.

Seeing how Selene was now, Xavier knew it wasn’t the right time to tell her of the rumours going around. She had to know about it from him than from someone outside the estate but first, she needed to get over Lucinda’s attack.

Xavier hugged Selene to comfort her at first but then lifted her to take her to their room.

"W-Wait," Selene said, clinging to Xavier so she wouldn’t fall. "I can walk. I do not have an issue with my feet."

She only leaned on him to steal some of his strength.

"In my eyes, it seemed like you could not stand on your own. I am only taking you to our bed and I will stay with you until I know for certain you are not concerned about this. If you want me to let go of you then you should do your best to start calming down," said Xavier.

Selene didn’t put up a fight since she knew he wouldn’t let her get out of his hold easily and for now, she enjoyed their closeness. "Thank you."

"I often enjoy when I am thanked with a kiss on the cheek," Xavier said.

Selene frowned. Of course, he wouldn’t miss the chance. "I do not see you ask anyone else for a kiss after they have thanked you."

"I did not say I want a kiss from everyone else. My interest only lies with you and I expect it is the same for you. Do not pay him any more attention," Xavier said when they passed where Eugene and the others could see them. "Harold will see him out when they are done. I will keep you informed," Xavier promised.

Later when Eugene was finished with his questions and Selene was no longer concerned about Lucinda, Xavier called Lucas to his study to have a private talk.

"Rumours are going around about Selene and I having an affair. Did you hear anything about it today?" Xavier asked.

"I did not," Lucas replied. "I was by her side all day so I don’t think it is possible the lady heard anything about it."

"Good. She does not need to hear about it today. I need you to go out and find out who started it. Blend in with the crowd and get all that I will need to know. Do not seek the person out. Return to me with the name," Xavier said since he wanted to deal with the person himself.

Was this some random person speaking on Selene because they were bored or were they working with Gabriel? Whoever it was cost themselves their tongue for speaking so carelessly.

"Take anyone you will need to get it done quicker. I need this to end before it becomes a bigger issue. Go," Xavier sent Lucas away.

Lucas wasted no time leaving to find out who had spoken about the lady. He found it too much of a coincidence that this was all happening the day Selene went out. He hoped her name would be cleared soon about Lucinda since he knew Selene had not ordered that woman to be harmed.

With Lucas tasked to find the person behind the rumours, Xavier made his way back to Selene to keep her distracted.