Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 234: Teaming up (4)

"You won’t stab me in the back, will you?" Juliana asked.

She couldn’t help thinking of all the times when she had never understood Natalie.

Since Natalie was able to pull off being with Darius in secret for so long, she wasn’t someone to be easily trusted.

"I don’t want the king for myself.. I don’t have to be a woman he loves. I only want to stay in the palace," Juliana said so Natalie wouldn’t think of her as a rival.

"I don’t care if you love him. The king is meant to be shared. Darius will never be a man who sticks to one woman, and while Vivienne might convince herself she is better than us, she isn’t. I won’t fight you for him," Natalie promised.

Juliana smiled. "Good. We both want the same thing. I’ve been tired of having to be nice to Vivienne for all these years. I wish she wasn’t around anymore. Oh!" She covered her mouth. "I didn’t mean that."

"Yes, you did. She’s about to shame you more than she shamed me. If you didn’t think of wanting her dead, I would be surprised. She’s going to get what is coming to her. No, I am not plotting to kill her," Natalie said before Juliana assumed it. "She’s gotten on the bad side of many others."

Juliana nodded her head, agreeing with Natalie. "She has killed a lot of the women in the palace. I should use this against her," she plotted.

Juliana thought of turning the people against Vivienne to make her be the one concerned about her place in the palace.

"She’s killed quite a few mixed-bloods and humans. With the current state of the kingdom with the attacks, the town would care about it. You should corner her with this, but don’t let her know it is your doing," said Natalie.

"I know she cannot find out it is me. I am not a fool," Juliana said, annoyed that Natalie thought she hadn’t considered she wasn’t to be caught. "I have changed since the last you saw me."

’It wasn’t that long ago since I saw you, Juliana. It will take more time before you have the sense to go up against Vivienne alone, but it was wise of you to come to me. You should return to the palace. I am willing to bet Vivienne is keeping an eye on where you are," said Natalie.

Juliana hadn’t thought of this before she came here, and now that she did, she worried about the coachman telling Vivienne. "What should I do?"

"I suggest you create a scene when you walk out of here. Call me all types of names and speak of regretting coming here. I leave it all to you to make her feel nothing was plotted here today. I am tired," Natalie said, parting from Juliana to head to her bed. "I need to rest so see your way out."

"You, you don’t look so good. You almost stumbled just now. Are you getting enough blood? You’ll need to drink more-"

"I don’t need you telling me to drink more. I know what I need to do, so get out. We might be helping each other but I haven’t forgotten how you didn’t visit me before this. We’re not true friends, so don’t act like you care," Natalie said, touching her head.

Natalie felt like her head was spinning, which meant she needed a lot more blood. At this rate, her brother would have to take a few humans off the road for her feast.

Juliana regretted caring about Natalie for a moment.

Juliana walked to the door, leaving Natalie to take care of herself. She wasn’t confident teaming up with Natalie would go well, but it was all she had now.

’It’s better than my other plan to get closer to Vivienne by telling her about Natalie and Darius," Juliana thought.

Had she been too rash and revealed Darius’s affair with Natalie, then Juliana wouldn’t have anyone to help her now.

Juliana walked toward the carriage with two plans in mind. She was going to have the town question how many women Vivienne had killed and do something exciting to have Darius return to her bed before she completely lost him.

"I have not lost to her yet," Juliana said, confident she could keep her place.

As Juliana plotted against Vivienne, the next day, Selene spent her time preparing to meet Orlork Blackthorn for the first time.

"You have told them what I wanted, right?" Selene asked, turning to Agnes.

"I did. You have sent me to speak with the head maid and butler three times, and each time, they have said yes. It will be fine," Agnes said, but her voice wasn’t too convincing. "You are the only one who seems to be nervous."

Agnes hadn’t seen Xavier worry one bit. He kept to his usual behaviour of doing what he could to be near Selene and doing work. Even Josephine was busy enjoying a drink.

"I am the only one sitting as a guest who has never met him. He is someone I do not want to anger," said Selene.

"I think you can win him over, but if you can’t, I have heard Lord Blackthorn has ordered the guards to prepare to throw his grandfather out. You did not know that," Agnes realised after Selene frowned. "You should forget I said this. I am sorry," she apologised.

"I don’t know why I am surprised. If this doesn’t go as planned, I think Xavier would personally escort his grandfather out or throw him out," said Selene, concerned about what would happen then.

"Lady Blackthorn!" Harold called for Selene. "There is a problem."

"Problem? How could there be a problem when we spent hours planning for this? Is it Orlork?" Selene questioned, fidgeting with her fingers.

"No. You have another guest. Camilla Blackthorn is here. She says she was invited by her father, but the problem is-"

"Camilla and Josephone do not get along," Selene finished in place of Harold. "I thought Camilla and Orlork were not doing well since Orlork punished her? Why is today the day they are getting along? I need to speak with Xavier first."

Selene didn’t want to bring in someone who would make Josephine uncomfortable, but at the same time, why did Orlork invite Camilla? Was he trying to stop them from arguing?

’Why couldn’t he do it at his own dinner?’ Selene wondered, having a feeling this would not be a peaceful night.

Agnes panicked along with Selene. "It could be worse, Milady. Nathaniel Blackthorn could be here as well."

"I don’t think we should say that because it could happen. Everyone who doesn’t need to be here can show up. Thankfully, Xavier is more than happy to send them all away. Can you please keep an eye on where Camilla is at the gates? I trust you to come right away if something happens," said Selene.

Agnes left Selene’s side to do as she was told.

"Why are you still panicking, and what is this about my aunt at the gate?" Xavier asked as he approached Selene. "Did you invite her? Will we have dinner and a fight?"

Selene rested her head on Xavier’s shoulder. "I did not invite her. Your grandfather did. Is this a bad sign?"

"Yes," Xavier said, nodding. "I think it is a sign we should cancel what you planned and return to bed."

"No," Selene replied. "You cannot have your way."