Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord
Chapter 89: Friends and enemies (3)

Chapter 89: Friends and enemies (3)

From the brief conversation she had with Vivienne, Selene realised that the invitation to visit the palace might not have been sent solely to satisfy the king’s interest but also to satisfy Vivienne’s obvious feelings.

Selene was prepared to ignore the fact that Xavier had a history with the queen, but it was evident that Vivienne didn’t want to let go of that history even though she was married.

The way Vivienne acted made Selene question if there was something more to what Xavier told her but since he was the one to bring up his relationship, Selene didn’t think he would leave out that it was serious and call it nothing.

’She was in love with him,’ Selene noticed.

Selene hadn’t missed how offended Vivienne was when she said the relationship was nothing.

Selene decided to put this issue to the side for now as the women returned to the table. She could feel Vivienne’s burning gaze on her as the servants came around the table.

It was childish that the queen of all women thought something like this would upset her. She didn’t need Xavier to send a gift to prove his love for her to these women. They would only turn their backs on her and speak poorly of her later.

Selene smiled when Francesca patted her on the back as she sat down. She wondered if Vivienne was not present if she could have a better conversation with Francesca.

"The king spoils you," Juliana said, gushing over the gifts sent to Vivienne.

Vivienne touched the petals of the flowers Darius sent to show off. "I always say he doesn’t need to but he goes over and beyond."

Natalie eyed the flowers which she knew didn’t come from the king but from one of his servants. Still, she kept quiet so as to not embarrass her friend. She picked up her glass and took a sip of the wine prepared. Natalie found something amusing about the flowers but she didn’t have anyone to speak of it with.

"I am jealous," Juliana said, envying the large number of flowers Vivienne received. "Of course, the man courting me sent a dress. He keeps trying to put me in something he likes."

Selene kept herself busy with the treats prepared while the women looked at their gifts. She didn’t see the point of these women having their lovers send gifts here. Why did they need to try to compete with each other about what they got?

Juliana waited patiently to see what Selene got. As someone who wasn’t used to being invited to these types of gatherings, she knew Selene must feel out of place now.

Before Juliana could question Selene, she noticed Natalie had also received a gift. "That is a pretty necklace. You didn’t tell us you had a lover," she said. "Or, were you so insane as some people to send yourself a gift?"

Natalie placed the necklace she received around her neck. "I would not go so low as you would. I like to have my secrets but I agree it is pretty."

Natalie twisted the jewel which she knew would make her friends envy her. She looked at Vivienne who also showed curiosity. "But the king’s gifts to you are far better. I love those flowers."

"There are far too many flowers for me to carry so whoever wants to have some can take up one of the vases. I lost count of how many there are," Vivienne said, looking at the vases placed around the table.

"That is kind of you but you shouldn’t give them away so easily when they are a special gift from the king. What has everyone else gotten?" Juliana asked, her eyes going to Selene first. "It seems we forgot to tell Selene about our tradition. The men use this time to spoil us with gifts."

Selene already knew of that. "I see that. They are all lovely. One would think it was a celebration for someone’s birth happening today."

"I don’t see anything wrong with us showing each other how our men dote on us. I was looking forward to seeing what gift Lord Blackthorn would send for you. I am curious about you two," said Juliana.

"You have made that quite obvious since I arrived," Selene replied, sighing as it got started again.

"Normally, Xavier gets all the attention, but I have heard something quite shocking around the town recently. It was shocking but not surprising. If you don’t mind me asking, how long were you seeing him? Many of us courted him and failed, yet you succeeded. Tell us," Juliana urged Selene.

Juliana already believed the talk about Selene having an affair since her divorce and new marriage all happened too fast. Who was Selene trying to fool here?

"Perhaps we should focus on the gifts," Francesca spoke up. It was reaching a point where the party would be ruined if they didn’t stop. "The flowers the king sent you are beautiful and if you would be so kind to share them amongst us, I would love to plant some here. It would be a good memory of your visit here."

"I am curious about it as well," Tatianna, another one of the guests, spoke up. "It has reached my doors that you were having an affair. I thought it started with only your ex-husband having an affair with the human of all things."

"Was I invited to a gathering to find out about her life or to enjoy my time with you ladies?"

Selene looked across the table at a woman who had been silent.

"You all said she wasn’t anyone important yet all you speak of is her. Do not look so relieved someone has said something since I don’t care for you," said Quinn, a friend of Francesca’s. She couldn’t ignore what Selene’s family did.

Selene didn’t like whether Quinn liked her or not. She only liked that someone spoke fast before she snapped.

"It is expected that we are all curious. There is nothing wrong with having another lover but it is strange to see her deny the obvious. I understand why you did it. Lord Blackthorn is hard to resist so had he shown me attention then I would have left my admirers to go to him," said Juliana.

Some of the women shared a knowing glance. Who would miss the chance to seduce Xavier if he showed interest in you?

"I wonder," Juliana rested her hands on the table as she leaned forward. "Were you among the women who admired him for many years and chased him until you finally got him? I wonder what scheme you used since it worked."

"Juliana, you must play nice. It would not be wrong if she chased him in the past. Do not worry, Selene. It is perfectly fine if you wanted him while you were still married. Your chase worked," Vivienne said, reminding Selene of the kind of woman she was.

Vivienne smiled as the other woman nodded their heads in agreement but she wasn’t satisfied. Selene stared at her with a bored expression as if she was unamused by what was said.

Vivienne’s smile soon fell when she noticed someone approaching where they sat. "Xavier," she whispered.

"I couldn’t help but overhear a misunderstanding. Selene did not chase me," Xavier said as he walked to where Selene sat. The one woman he wanted to notice him did not look his way. "I wanted her so the second she was free from her marriage, I took my chance to be with her."

Xavier inspected the women present. " It would not be wise for any of you to repeat rumours. It might cost you something you cannot grow back.