Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 276: Same enemies (2)

Selene was greeted by Xavier when she walked out, as the guards walked inside to kill Gabriel once and for all.

"That was fast," Xavier said, offering his hand for Selene to hold.

"There’s nothing much I had to say to Gabriel. Looking at him was enough. He’s still the same man he was when I left him, except he is trying to cling to me now that he has nothing left," Selene replied.

Selene knew Gabriel would fall from grace, but she hadn’t imagined it would be this way. Cassandra’s involvement in the attacks was a surprise.

"I hate that part of me pities him, but I know he has gotten what he deserves. He placed himself in this position, and I hate that he came to me when his world was crumbling. He should have turned to someone else like his father," Selene said, partly annoyed.

It annoyed her that Gabriel had convinced himself that she would help him or drop everything she had now to be with him again. It was even more frustrating to hear that he still accused her of cheating.

"You haven’t been around him to know if he was at odds with his father. It’s good he chose to come here because he is out of our way now. We have more dangerous enemies to focus on," said Xavier.

"I thought when I knew he was going to die, I would feel much happier, but I don’t. Why don’t I feel so satisfied?" Selene wondered.

"You only got one of the two people responsible for Elsie’s death. We still have to get Cassandra," said Xavier.

"That is why," Selene agreed, realising she wasn’t done yet. Cassandra’s lies played a big role in Elsie’s death. "It will be hard to find her now unless the attackers decide to show their faces."

"It doesn’t matter how long it will take to find her. She will find her place here and share the same fate as her husband. I have her friend here, but he isn’t ready to talk. I am curious why he was running from the others. Once he speaks, I will send out a search," Xavier shared.

"Will you torture him?" Selene asked as this seemed to be the only way to get answers.

"If he doesn’t speak soon, then I will torture him. I don’t have time to play the silent game," Xavier replied.

"And what of the other guests there?" Selene asked, careful with her words.

Since they were outside, Selene didn’t want to mention the princess’s name.

"It doesn’t seem like her brother notices her absence. He is too busy fighting for his place in the palace. If he doesn’t die before the vote is done, I will go to the palace to vote against him. We must be prepared for the aftermath when he is not king again," said Xavier.

Selene believed the reaction of Darius losing his title might result in a fight amongst the five families.

"You should vote and leave right away. He seems to hate you most, so you would be his first target if he tried to attack anyone. I can imagine how he will not gracefully leave the palace. Would they allow him to stay?" Selene wondered.

Xavier shook his head. "No. He would receive a title like mine and land in his name. They would do what they could to keep him out of the palace. Excuse me for a moment," he said, leaving Selene’s side to speak to Harold.

Selene stood back, not wanting to hear about any guests at the door. It was the only reason Harold would come out to speak with them.

"Let him in."

Selene was surprised to hear Xavier was welcoming the guest inside. She approached the pair since she was now interested. "Is it someone you are close to?"

"The Michael he spoke of is from the Valefort family. I expected a visit once I learned he was eyeing the throne. We aren’t close, but I can tolerate him," Xavier explained, interested in what Michael came for.

"Then he is here hoping to get your vote," Selene realised. Selene hadn’t thought of the others visiting Xavier for his support.

Selene held Xavier’s hand again as they returned inside to meet their guests.

When Selene spotted the blond man, she instantly remembered seeing his face before.

The Valeforts didn’t live in town, but they would show up from time to time to attend balls.

Selene’s interactions or run-ins with Michael when she was young were few compared to how many times she had been around Xavier.

"You’ll have to forgive me for coming empty-handed. I didn’t have time to go around the town looking for gifts. On my next visit, I will come with a gift you will like. Selene Blackthorn," Michael said, attempting to kiss her hand, only to be blocked by Xavier.

Michael smiled. He expected this from Xavier.

"Formerly from the Harrison family. I believe we have met before. Now I can put a face to the woman who caused such an uproar among the families. I was asleep when it happened, so I missed plenty of it," said Michael.

"I like to think that had I been awake, I would have been invited to the wedding. Right?" Michael directed his question to Xavier.

"No," Xavier replied.

"You’re still a rude bastard, but I need you. Who do you wish to be king?" Michael asked, curious if anyone else had won over Xavier already.

"I don’t care who becomes king as long as it is not Darius. We all have our flaws. I can think of a few for you," said Xavier.

Michael laughed as he knew well what Xavier could mention. "I have changed. Taking a long rest calms you down a bit. I don’t like the plans Darius has come up with. They are going to place us right back in war."

Michael continued, "Herding humans is a silly idea and ignoring the attacks was foolish on his part. He’s in a rush to do some good now to fool us. A man who can’t even recognise mixed-bloods as vampires should not be king."

"He shouldn’t, but why have you come to bother me for? My vote cannot be bought," said Xavier.

"I know it can’t be bought, but I also know that I am the only one who will not bother you as king. All the others aren’t exactly fond of you and the talk that you should be king. Leaving you be is my offer to you," Michael proposed.

"How tempting, but I don’t care," Xavier replied.

Xavier trusted that Michael would leave him alone since Michael was never one to bother him, but he wasn’t interested in making any deals. When Xavier hardly trusted anyone from the Blackthorns, it was expected that he wouldn’t trust someone from the Valeforts.

"I know you wouldn’t care, but I am here to prove how helpful I can be to you. I don’t want war. The last one went on a little too long. I will end those attacks, and I wouldn’t mind killing Darius," Michael said, hoping this would change Xavier’s mind.

"We have the same enemies, Xavier. It would be quicker if we worked together. What do you say?" Michael asked, extending his hand to Xavier for them to shake on a deal.

"Focus on getting votes," Xavier advised Michael.