"Must I be welcomed by your guards in that manner each time I come? By now, I should have been welcomed with open arms since I am without your father. Do not make me have to destroy your home," Josephine warned Xavier. "I can do it."
"If you give notice before you show up, you will receive a better welcome. It is always that simple, mother," Xavier replied.
"I know it wasn’t you who allowed me inside so thank you, Selene. I see more of why you were a good choice for him. I won’t be long since I know I am disturbing you but what I have to say could not wait," said Josephine, getting to the point of her visit.
"I was surprised by the arrival of your father’s siblings. That fool didn’t consider the trouble this would bring us and I heard something about waking your grandfather or great-grandfather. That is not a good idea," Josephine said, knowing the conflict that would arise. "More Blackthorns are showing up in town and they are preparing to have a family meeting."
"You could have sent this in a letter," Xavier said, not surprised by what she shared.
Josephine thought of hitting Xavier’s arm for once in her life to scold him. "I thought it would be appreciated if I told you in person and I have not seen the two of you since your wedding. It shouldn’t hurt to invite me for dinner or breakfast. I sometimes enjoy human food."
"We will plan and send an invitation to you," Selene promised. The more she saw Josephine, the more evident it was Josephine truly cared for Xavier.
Xavier wasn’t thrilled with the plan while Josephine smiled.
"If you keep this up, you’ll find a good place in my heart," Josephine said, taking more of a liking to Selene. "I heard the plan about giving Selene a chance first before the others voice their opinions about this marriage. I hope you know that they will give her a hard time in hopes of sending her away."
Xavier was well aware of this which was why he didn’t care for anyone giving Selene a chance.
"You’ve already decided to stay away," Josephine noticed, happy that he was ahead of the others. "Good. I plan to be out of town when the Blackthorns gather. I know you have your plans to deal with them but just be prepared for if one of them so foolishly wakes your grandfather. It is far from the year he wants to be woken up so he won’t be happy."
Josephine also worried about Nathaniel getting to his father first to twist the story to his liking. It wasn’t a secret that Nathaniel was loved most by his father.
"I’m sorry," Josephine apologised. "It wasn’t my doing but your father not following orders to marry someone else is creating trouble for you. Until your marriage came up, I didn’t realise how much the Blackthorns must have disliked that I was picked. Your father is using you to clean up his mess."
"As usual," Xavier replied. None of this came as a surprise to him. His mother was simply late with noticing.
"Truthfully, we’ve all been curious about who would become your wife but your father is the one riling everyone up about it more than the elders. He’s been quiet for a while after your aunt and uncle showed up which means he’s plotting something. Then there’s the king," Josephine touched her head.
It was something almost every day.
"I have never liked that boy. Why did they pick him to be the king?"
’Pick?’ Selene thought. Wasn’t it natural for the only son of the former king to take the throne?
"I wanted you to know all of this but part of me also wanted to see that you’re safe. A fight with your father won’t be easy since you both have your strengths and he has more of the Blackthorns on his side. You can take care of yourself but I hope you have plans for Selene," said Josephine.
Selene was the one who would be caught in the fire. The Blackthorns wouldn’t hurt Xavier but they wouldn’t find an issue in harming Selene.
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