Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 256: Pay attention (1)

In the palace, Juliana sought out Darius to have a moment alone without Vivienne.

Vivienne stayed true to her word and kept Darius to herself, so Juliana was more worried about how long she had to stay in the palace.

As long as she slept with Darius, Juliana thought she could save her place a little.

"Where are you going in such a rush?"

Juliana stopped, almost stumbling when she heard Natalie’s voice. She thought she was hearing wrong at first, but to her right, Natalie walked with her brother behind her.

"Why are you here?" Juliana asked, looking around for any of Vivienne’s spies. "You didn’t tell me about this."

"I don’t need to tell you my every move. Then that would make it seem like you rule me. I came to the palace because it is time I speak with the king. Is he in there?" Natalie questioned, looking ahead at the door with two guards outside.

"I believe he is in there. Are you well? You don’t look well," Juliana noticed again.

Natalie smiled, even though she wasn’t well. She wasn’t getting enough blood even though her brother had been going out bringing humans for her to feed on.

Natalie didn’t have any other choice than to come to the palace since there should be more blood here. Also, she grew tired of everyone making a mockery of her since Vivienne no longer welcomed her in the palace. She had to use her brother’s connections to come today.

Juliana didn’t believe Natalie was well, but she didn’t want to make the mistake of caring for Natalie again. "I was going to speak to him, but you can go. Go inside before anyone notices. Vivienne doesn’t leave his side for long. It is like she has fallen in love with him."

Natalie laughed. Juliana was a fool if she believed Vivienne was in love with Darius.

Vivienne only acted that way when she didn’t want to share.

"I am not concerned about Vivienne, but if you want to watch out for her, so be it," Natalie replied and then started to approach the door.

Juliana stayed back in case there would be trouble. Darius was so unpredictable that there could be a bad reaction to finding out Natalie was carrying his child.

Natalie gave the guards her name to pass on to the king, and not long after, the doors opened, allowing her to enter.

Just as she expected, Natalie stumbled upon Darius with a woman, but it didn’t bother her. She had tougher skin than Vivienne to put up with these moments.

"Natalie," Darius greeted her, surprised by the visit. "I was told Vivienne didn’t want you in the palace. Something terrible must have happened since you came here."

"You don’t need to rush out of here," Natalie informed the maid. "I won’t tell the queen."

Darius smiled. Natalie was the only one who never concerned herself with whom he slept with. It was what made her special, and it was a great shame he couldn’t visit her.

"She must still go. Vivienne tends to linger close to me, and I don’t want another maid killed. There is something about you," Darius said, inspecting Natalie from head to toe. "Something has changed. Have you come here to seduce me?"

Natalie waited for the maid to leave to then start to approach Darius. "I wouldn’t take the dangerous trip to see you just to seduce you, though it is on my mind now. I have brought good news for you. News that you have been waiting for."

"Are you friends with Selene now?" Darius asked.

Natalie’s lips were folded into a thin line. She thought he had gotten over Selene.

"No," Natalie replied. "I have come here to share with you that I am with child. A royal child which belongs to you."

Darius watched where Natalie placed her hands. "My child?"

Darius wanted to dismiss it since Natalie could have been sleeping with others, but a child gave him the answer to what was so different about her. It was how he had found out Vivienne had been carrying his child.

Natalie looked at the floor to avoid Darius’s gaze. "If this displeases you, I will leave the palace right away and never let anyone know about this."

"No," Darius said, walking toward Natalie. "This is good news. This is just the news I needed," he said, moving her hands out of the way so he could touch her.

Darius had been waiting for news about a child for too long, and with Vivienne only now sharing a bed with him and Juliana being so new to the palace, it was taking some time for him to hear about a child.

The child coming from Natalie wasn’t in his plans since she was nothing more than a woman he spent time with in bed. This changed everything, but he welcomed it.

Darius smiled when he touched Natalie. "I should have noticed it the moment you walked through the door. Forgive me. I have been so busy with matters of the court."

"I am not upset. It pleases me that I was able to surprise you," Natalie replied.

Darius’s smile went away as he realised something. "How long have you known and not told me?"

"Not long, I swear. I couldn’t figure out why no matter how much blood I was drinking, I was not full. I am not far along, but this child is already draining me. My body is weak, so I need more blood urgently," said Natalie.

Darius trusted Natalie’s word. "You will need a lot of blood and servants to tend to you. It is a good sign that you need a lot of blood. This child will be strong just like his father. You have brought me just what I needed," he kissed Natalie.

Darius couldn’t wait to announce to the court and his family that he was expecting another child. No one could deny this was his child since there was something about Natalie which tied her to him, and the other royals would notice it.

"I am happy to bring you such joy, but I am worried. Vivienne didn’t know about us, and I know she was trying to have another child with you. She might unleash her anger on me, but now is not the time for it. This innocent child must not be hurt," Natalie said, ensuring her safety first.

Darius wasn’t concerned about Vivienne. "Vivienne knows not to harm any women carrying my child. She should thank you for giving me what I have been longing for. She will share my excitement."

"Since you say this, you must not know her father had been getting rid of women who showed signs of carrying your child. I thought you knew about it," Natalie said, feigning an apologetic look. "I’m sorry you had to hear about it like this."

Natalie continued, "I fear it will not be different this time since I was her friend. Perhaps I should stay in my home and have blood sent from the palace."

"No," Darius shook his head, fully against the idea. "No child of mine will live outside the palace. You will stay here and be well taken care of. Vivienne and her family will be warned not to touch you."

Darius couldn’t lose this child now and he certainly wouldn’t lose it to Vivienne’s jealousy.

"Come," Darius held Natalie’s hand. "We will speak to Vivienne now."