Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 262: Walking away (3)

"Should we run? She’ll know we were watching her if we stay here," said Francesca.

"It is too late to move," Selene said, noticing Josephine look their way.

Selene moved away from the window to meet Josephine at the door. "I wanted to be near in case you needed the guards," she informed Josephine.

"I already knew you weren’t spying on me for fun. I will inform Harold that the next time Nathaniel comes, he should send him away. I have no time for him, and I don’t want you to hear he is here. I will be moving soon," Josephine said.

"Why? Xavier doesn’t have an issue with you being here, and I like the time we have together. You can stay," Selene offered.

"I’ve stayed long enough. I wouldn’t have liked it if Nathaniel’s mother had come to stay with us for so many days, and I liked her. It is time that I start preparing a home for myself. I need to settle somewhere else at some point," Josephine said, ready to move on.

"I will still come around regularly," Josephine promised.

Selene wondered what had happened by the gates for Josephine to suddenly speak of moving. There wasn’t any talk of this before Nathaniel showed up.

"Before you decide to move your things, you should talk with Xavier. He is worried the attacks on vampires will get worse now for reasons I cannot share. He will be at ease knowing that you are here, and I will too," Selene said, not ready to see Josephine go.

Josephine smiled. "You are sounding like I will be gone forever. I am well aware of the attacks, and I will place plenty of guards to protect myself. I also know how to protect myself, Selene. I will be fine."

There was no changing Josephine’s mind now that it was made. As long as she was here, Nathaniel’s visits would continue. It wouldn’t be long before it upset Xavier and caused a fight between the two.

Josephine didn’t want to feel so stuck in the middle, so she had to leave.

"I am going for a walk. You two should get back to what you were doing and don’t concern yourself with my marriage. You’ll start to get depressed, and before you know it, it goes into your marriage. Excuse me," Josephine said, leaving the pair before they could respond.

"I admire her," Francesca spoke up after Josephine was out of sight. "I can’t think of anyone who would easily walk away from a Blackthorn. Nathaniel could turn everyone against her if he wanted."

"That wouldn’t happen because Xavier would help his mother. I am curious about whom everyone fears more. Xavier or his father?" Selene asked.

"That is easy. Everyone fears your husband more, though Nathaniel seems to have more power in the Blackthorns because of his age. Nathaniel follows rules while your husband will kill first and ask questions later," Francesca explained.

"He is not so bad if you do not annoy him," Selene said in defense of Xavier.

"It is easy for you to say that since you are the one he loves. The rest of us don’t get the side you are shown. Not that I mind it. The town is full of people who deserve his anger and death. I’ve got a small list of who he should kill," said Francesca.

Selene led Francesca to her personal room so they could speak in private.

"It is evident how much your husband spoils you. It is quite the opposite of what the town is saying. Rumours continue that Lord Blackthorn is growing bored of you, and he fears you will try to kill him as your parents did. It is silly," Francesca said, laughing at the stories she heard.

"It is silly," Selene agreed. "They are all afraid of him, yet they think I have it in me to try killing Xaver. It is better to come up with those theories than to believe he loves me."

"It is because of the gossip going around that you were involved in your parents’ plans, but the king spared you. I believe it is Vivienne’s doing that this is all coming up. I thought she had been quiet since the king was taking more women to his side."

Hearing Vivienne’s name, Selene realised she hadn’t been bothered by the palace recently aside from the spies.

The rumours of her being involved in her parents’ plans didn’t bother Selene since she stayed inside the estate.

"The queen has been quiet. It is good for me, but at the same time, I worry it means something big is happening. I know many seek power, but I could never be with the king to get it. Don’t they know what kind of man he is?" Selene asked, taking a seat.

"Oh, they know how he is and many like it. They like that they can get Darius’s attention by going to bed with him. I do wonder if the king taking purebloods to his bed will have the queen trying to kill those women. She should be punished if she tries to harm them," Francsca said, hoping Vivienne finally got what she deserved.

"She should have been punished from the moment she hurt anyone, whether they are a pureblood or not. What will become of the kingdom if those two continue to rule? Moving out of the kingdom sounds good," Selene said, curious about the world beyond.

"The kingdom is doomed with those two leading. I am curious about the outside world, but it might be far more dangerous than what we see now. You would come across other creatures who might not be fond of vampires. Rather than run, we should eliminate our problems and improve the kingdom," Francesca suggested.

Francesca sat down beside Selene and looked out at the view of the estate. "It is scary to think of bringing a child into the state of this kingdom. I am told by relatives that vampires have nothing to fear, and before, I believed them, but now I constantly worry."

"Perhaps it is because you are planning to be a mother. You are now taking notice of all the dangers and what will be out of your control," Selene explained.

"Is that so? Well, that helps me to believe that I might be a good mother since I am already thinking of these things. I am glad my child will have such a wonderful aunt at their side. Henry and I don’t have any siblings, so..." Francesca stopped, hoping Selene caught on.

"I understand. As long as you allow it, I will be there when your child needs me. I also don’t have any siblings," Selene replied.

"Then I would make for a wonderful aunt. I always come with gifts. Oh, that reminds me," Francesca said, remembering Selene’s gifts. "Why haven’t you used what I gave you? Do you think they would not work?"

"It is not that. I just don’t need them. Besides, when you are in the moment, do you leave him to get dressed up?" Selene asked.

"Well, no. I am already dressed up by the time he reaches our room. There is much for me to teach you." Francesca held Selene’s hand.