Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 82: Rash decision (1)

Chapter 82: Rash decision (1)

Gabriel could not return home without knowing there would be someone on his side to punish Selene. He was bringing the chance for the king to put Xavier in his place and to make an example out of Selene.

Gabriel rode to the palace instead of going home. He couldn’t go to his mother so soon to see her in that condition. There was an awful feeling about what awaited her by the end of the night.

When Gabriel reached the palace, he demanded to be seen by the king. He was at first turned away since he didn’t give proper notice of wanting to see the king and was told the king was busy until he mentioned Xavier’s name.

Gabriel had some hope the visit would go well when he stepped into the king’s quarters. "King Darius."

"Mister Valor. What brings you to my palace to disturb my time? I think by now you should know there is a way things should be done here. You do not get to be in my presence when you feel like it. You are getting far ahead of yourself," Darius said.

Darius was starting to contemplate killing Gabriel since he was running around the palace as he liked. Since when was the hero a grand title for Gabriel to do as he wanted? Since when did Gabriel have wealth or power for anyone to want to see him so often?

Darius despised the little people like Gabriel who didn’t know their place.

"I hear you have come to tell me something about Xavier. I hope it isn’t to get his wife back in your hands. Leave her," Darius advised Gabriel.

It was partially because Darius didn’t want to deal with Xavier now and he wanted Selene for himself. She might make for one of the perfect women to have alongside the queen.

"I am not here for that. Selene is dead to me after what she did today. She injured my mother to the point we had to prepare ourselves for the worst. Lord Blackthorn is not allowing the guards to do their job. I urge you to help us with this," Gabriel pleaded.

Darius laughed at the fact Gabriel thought he would care to get involved in a human attack. His mother should have been a vampire so they wouldn’t have to worry about this.

"Sorry," Darius held up his hand. "I am not laughing at what happened to your mother. That would be insensitive of me but I am amused by why you haven’t learned the way the palace works. I do not get involved in matters like this."

"It would help it go quickly-"

"Why do you come here expecting me to fight your battles with Xavier? I try to avoid him unless I am certain I have something to get under his skin. It is foolish of you to always have an issue with him. He is still a Blackthorn," Darius reminded Gabriel.

It couldn’t be that Gabriel thought he was just as important as Xavier was. Darius despised Xavier but he wouldn’t place Gabriel above him.

"It is because he is a Blackthorn that the guards have a lot of trouble getting to him now. My mother was badly hurt because Selene was letting this new status get to her head. She might come after my future wife next," said Gabriel.

’Then protect the human you intend to marry. It cannot be helped that you have surrounded yourself with humans. Why you did it is something I will not understand. I’m sure vampire women were willing to marry you. Protect the ones you love if you are so concerned," Darius said, annoyed by their talk.

Why was Gabriel in such a panic to speak to him about this? They were not friends. Darius wanted Gabriel to get his one request over with so he wouldn’t need to be so kind anymore.

It was about time the town moved on from speaking about a hero. Were they all children interested in such a thing? They should go back to praising the royals only.

"I know it is harsh but there is nothing more I can do for you. Someone from the guards and the court will handle the matter. The king does not get involved unless it is a big case. Did someone see her do it?" Darius asked, curious about Selene.

Was Selene the kind to go around hurting those who got in her way?

Darius wanted to know more about her but since he was busy in the palace, it was hard to. Vivienne was taking too long to get Selene into the palace. Getting Selene to attend a party outside the palace wasn’t something he cared for.

"My mother gave her name before she fell unconscious. I’m sure it was Selene’s doing," Gabriel said, willing to bet his home on it.

Darius frowned. He was more annoyed by the little evidence Gabriel came with. "Go home to be at your mother’s side. It is even worse you have come to me with hardly any evidence."

"Let the man put in charge of this do his work and solve it for you. You must think of how this looks on your end. There are eyes always on you and if you continue to accuse Selene when she is innocent then you will be judged," said Darius.

Gabriel was confident it was Selene so he didn’t care what could happen if he was wrong.

Before Darius sent away Gabriel, he said, "You should take my advice to gain power in the palace instead of running to me so you can go against Xavier when you like. Always running to me makes me think a little of you. If you can find the strength to go against Xavier then I might help you."

Gabriel planned to do just that but this was the time he needed the king most since it concerned his mother. He got the feeling again that the king was afraid of Xavier.

Since the king couldn’t ever help him then Gabriel wouldn’t come here for help anymore. This time Gabriel meant it.

"Do you promise that if I climb my way up in the palace, you will back me if I go after Lord Blackthorn? I will not mention your name but I would benefit from your support in secret. I am not afraid of him," Gabriel shared.

Darius smiled since Gabriel should be afraid. Even the king was careful when he poked at Xavier. Was it because the sleepiness Xavier felt was taking some time to wear off that Gabriel thought he was easy to go against? Once Xavier got back to his usual self, Darius was certain Gabriel would back off.

Still, Darius wanted to enjoy the show. While the two men clashed, Darius could sneakily take Selene away from them.

"I will as long as you show you do not need to run to anyone else. Now go be at your mother’s side and for your sake, do not come into my palace demanding to see me. The next time I am to see you, it will be to grant your request. If you want to see me when you like, become someone worth seeing," Darius advised Gabriel.

Gabriel thought he was already worth seeing but he realised now his status of hero meant nothing to the king and if he wasn’t careful, his name would soon be forgotten.

"I will take my leave now," Gabriel excused himself. He had to return to his mother’s side and on the ride there, he would think of his next step.