Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 182: New friend? (2)

"I know what this looks like after how I acted at Francesca’s party but Juliana was the one prying into your life more. I just said enough to make Vivienne think I was doing what she asked. I am trying to help you here so you are prepared for what Vivienne plans to do," said Natalie, annoyed it was taking so long to convince Selene.

"The fact that you are trying to help me is suspicious," Selene replied, knowing a ploy was at play here. "Why would you want to help me? If it’s to get close to the Blackthorn name then it’s pointless."

Natalie glanced at Xavier who sent shivers down her back because of how he stared at her. If looks could kill, Natalie was certain she would drop dead now.

Natalie faced Selene since Xavier was making her regret her decision to approach Selene now. "I don’t want to use your name. I just know that it isn’t right what they want. It’s not only the queen who speaks about you but the king. He is doing all that he can to get you in the palace."

"How long have you been close to the king for you to know his plans?" Xavier questioned, placing her as one of Darius’s lovers.

Natalie was stumped for a moment but soon thought of an answer. "The king tells his plans to Vivienne and she passes it on to us because she wants our help. I am not fond of the idea of forcefully taking someone to the palace. I have done awful things but I will never get that far."

"Haven’t you already gone far?" Xavier asked, realising what was odd about her. "So far that if you aren’t careful, you might end up dead." freewebnσvel.cøm

Natalie licked her fangs as she smiled. How much did Xavier know? Would he run to Vivienne and tell her?

If Xavier did that then Natalie would take that as him still being in love with Vivienne.

"Haven’t we all done something where we might end up dead? Sometimes you have to take the chance because the reward is just too good. The queen speaks highly of you, Lord Blackthorn. Each chance she gets, Vivienne speaks of your intimate past," Natalie said and then covered her mouth, acting regretful for saying it in front of Selene.

Selene wasn’t bothered by what she already knew. What she was bothered by was Natalie’s poor acting and her time with Xavier interrupted.

"You won’t get whatever it is you came for so if you don’t mind, I want to be alone with my husband," said Selene.

Selene wondered if Natalie and Vivienne were no longer friends so Natalie was turning to the woman who got under Vivienne’s skin or if this was a plot to act friendly only to backstab her later. Whichever plot it was, Selene didn’t want any part in it.

Selene walked away from Lucas’s side to go to Xavier to see what coats he was looking at. She almost tripped when she saw the amount being carried for her to be fitted for. "Xavier! I have a coat already."

"One isn’t enough," Xavier repeated, refusing to change his mind. "Even I have more than that."

Natalie couldn’t believe the pair weren’t trying to make better use of her coming to them. She had been in the palace many times, sitting beside Vivienne to hear all her plans and even slept with Darius. Who better for Selene to become friends with than Natalie?

"You should take my help. I can help you against Vivienne and even the king. You are unaware of how much Vivienne hates your wife. She’s going to do everything in her power to drive your wife out of this town or to death. Why do you think everyone is talking about the Harrisons today?" Natalie asked, thinking the couple to be foolish.

Why weren’t they more concerned about what Vivienne and Darius planned to do?

Selene sighed as she turned around to face Natalie. "You are no longer friends with her, right? That’s why you’re here trying to offer me some advice and give insight into their plans. You want to start a friendship with me to go up against her."

Unfortunately for Natalie, Selene didn’t think of Vivienne that much to need such a friendship. Selene wasn’t in a fight with Vivienne. Vivienne was in it all alone.

Natalie thought of lying but since it would go around that she was banned from the palace, she decided to be honest. "The queen no longer welcomes me to the palace. I don’t know the reason behind it but it is clear she no longer wants to be my friend."

"After all that I had to do for her, it is very upsetting to see her cut our ties like this. Yes, that’s why I am coming to you. I want to see at least one of her plans fail so I can tell you everything I know concerning Vivienne and the king. I’ll be your friend instead," Natalie offered.

Selene laughed at Natalie’s hand. She covered her mouth, not wanting to be rude by laughing but she couldn’t help it.

To think Natalie came up with this plan and confidently approached her was funny to Selene. How could Natalie think she would jump at the chance to be friends with her?

"I don’t want to be your friend. I don’t want to build friendships by having a common enemy. So, I urge you to not waste your time on me and go to someone else who might be interested in teaming up against the queen. I am quite busy and uninterested," said Selene.

"You are silly," Natalie said, taking two steps back as Xavier came forward. She was grateful for Selene holding his hand. "I am here to offer you knowledge of what they are planning to do and you are not taking it. She is obsessed with your husband and you are in some dreamy land thinking you are safe."

"I am keeping watch of what the queen does but I know no good will come from me creating a friendship with you to go against her. You don’t care for me so I will have to be constantly watching so you don’t stab me in the back. I don’t have time to be keeping watch on you too," Selene said, ready to leave if she could get away from Natalie.

Selene believed that should Vivienne be friendly with Natalie again, Natalie would run back to the queen.

Natalie gave up trying to convince Selene to accept her offer. "There will come a time when you will regret not making me your friend. That time will come sooner than you think. Excuse me," she said, turning around to leave the shop.

Natalie still had something up her sleeves to secure a place within the palace. All she needed to do was get Darius to visit her home which shouldn’t be hard to do. The next time she entered the palace, Natalie planned to be there as Darius’s lover so she wouldn’t have to listen to Vivienne.

"What did you do? Did you mess it up?" Valentina asked, watching as Natalie stormed up to her. "I knew it wasn’t a good idea to go up to them but at least you have your head. We should go now."

"I want to get back into the palace by any means necessary. Is it true witches can predict what someone is having using their magic?" Natalie asked. "A child."

"It is an old myth and I also heard it is dangerous. Are you..." Valentina trailed off, looking down at Natalie’s belly.

"I’m going to find out," Natalie said, walking off first to do whatever she needed to find a witch.