Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 23: Divorce (1)

"Nervous?"

Selene looked away from the carriage window to Xavier sitting on the seat before her. It was just the two of them since Agnes didn’t need to tag along, and Selene wanted to allow her to befriend the servants at the estate.

"Just a little. I am not confident it will go exactly as we want it and it’s been some time since I visited the palace. I’ve avoided it since the lie on my father’s name," Selene replied, anxious about the entire visit. "I am preparing myself for a headache."

"As long as he stands on wanting to let you go, it will go well. If the king is there then we shall both be annoyed today."

"I have never heard of a king being present to witness a couple going different ways. Is it because of you? You are not friends but he is quite interested in your life. It sounds like the king wants to be your friend or he is surprised to see you involved in something like this. I don’t remember what he is like," Selene said, struggling to recall any conversation with the king.

"Don’t try to remember what he is like. He is an annoying bastard and we will never be friends since we have always disliked each other. Our families are seen as close so we try to endure each other when we are in the same space," Xavier explained.

"It would be worrisome if the five families did not get along. I hope he is not near for you to be annoyed. I am hoping you will be the voice of reason if I am angered today," Selene said and then turned her attention back to the sight of the palace.

Selene vowed never to come here after they wouldn’t listen to her arguing that her father was innocent concerning the lies being said about him but here she was. She was fortunate to have Xavier by her side since anyone present would not be so tempted to do something rash while he was there.

When the carriage stopped, the door was opened by a palace servant.

Xavier stepped out first and offered his hand to Selene.

"Thank you," Selene said, placing her hand on his to exit the carriage.

Xavier led the way to the court which was placed inside the palace. Each seat in the court was filled with pureblood vampires. It took a human with noble status or wealth to find a place within the palace walls.

As they neared the court, Selene spotted two faces she didn’t want to see but she was forced to if she wanted to get her marriage over with.

"Lord Blackthorn," Cassandra curtsied. "Lady Selene, it is wonderful to see that you are well. I didn’t want our reunion to be like this."

"What is he doing here?" Gabriel asked, his eyes glued to Xavier. Did Xavier have nothing better to do than to follow Selene around?

"How foolish could you be to ask why I am here when your lover stands beside you? Is it true that you helped to win the war? I doubt you have the sense to do so," said Xavier. Whose credit did Gabriel steal?

"Cassandra will be my wife once all of this is done with so she can be here if I want her to be. I hope you will find someone who commits to you with marriage, Selene. Let us see how long your choice holds onto you after today," Gabriel said, smiling since Selene’s life would shatter shortly. "I must go inside alone. Do not go far," he instructed Cassandra.

Gabriel kissed Cassandra goodbye even though their time away from each other would be short.

"You brought a human into a palace filled with vampires to leave her alone. I would say that is a bad decision but you are smart," Xavier said, his sarcasm not hidden in his voice.

Cassandra smiled. "You must also remain here so I shall not be alone."

Xavier smiled when he faced Cassandra. "You seem to think I would protect you. What gave you that silly idea?"

’You are an honourable man. That is what I have heard," Cassandra replied.

"You should listen to the other things said about me," Xavier answered.

Selene touched Xavier’s arm, not noticing Gabriel was paying attention to the interaction. "Do not find yourself in trouble. I will try to be quick."

’They’re not lovers,’ Cassandra thought. Selene didn’t bother to kiss Xavier or say something sweet to him and Xavier didn’t offer her any comforting words. It looked like two friends or two people whose interest in each other didn’t go beyond the bedroom.

Cassandra wondered if Xavier had some secret dislike for Gabriel which made him show up here for that. Not for Selene.

Gabriel didn’t trust leaving Cassandra with Xavier but he had to go. Since Xavier needed to wait outside, Gabriel finally had a chance to speak to Selene without any interruptions.

Cassandra watched the pair leave. "It is a shame their marriage has come to this but those two were never in love. I don’t know what was said about me for you to hate me. Despite what everyone would think, I did not know he was married. He didn’t flaunt his marriage and everyone was more worried about getting home to mention Selene."

Xavier didn’t have a choice but to listen to Cassandra because of his good hearing. However, his eyes were on Selene right until the moment she was out of sight. "Again with this. Why do you want me to think highly of you? You and I will never be friends. That fact has nothing to do with Selene."

"Is it because I am a human? You would only want something to do with me if I were offering my blood?" Cassandra asked.

Xavier smiled, revealing his fangs. "Unlike the man you managed to seduce, I am quite picky with what I put in my mouth. I have a taste if you haven’t noticed already."

Cassandra sensed there was more to his words than speaking about blood. "Lady Selene is a wonderful woman. I hope she can find her happiness. I was more than willing to live there with her and let her enjoy her time with Gabriel."

"Let her?" Xavier laughed. "You try to make yourself sound kind despite the position you are in."

’I am not the reason their marriage fell apart. It is easy to blame me but that marriage was doomed before he met me. You should thank me. My arrival sent her right into your arms," said Cassandra.

"That is true," Xavier replied.

"It is quite a shame that you were not present among the men who went out for war. You would have seen me in a different light. I am sure the opinion you have of me will change in the future. I look forward to the day it will," Cassandra said, knowing a good future awaited her.

Xavier wasn’t interested in any future which had Cassandra in it. She bore him like the rest of the town did but he had a feeling Gabriel was going to regret this day and perhaps the day he would marry Cassandra.

Cassandra tried to act like a victim in the position she placed herself in but Xavier saw the truth. He witnessed it when Cassandra didn’t think he was around and tried to upset Selene with Elsie’s death.

"Try not to be so hard on her, Lord Blackthorn. Selene has already lost enough. From a fallen home to this, one more incident just might drive her mad. I’m worried for her," Cassandra said, her voice layered with sympathy.

Xavier didn’t bother to respond since he saw through Cassandra’s calculated acts. She underestimated how long he dealt with people like her.