Betrayed By The Hero, Loved By The Lord-Chapter 215: Stripped of the Blackthorn name (1)

Orlork drank blood to help quicken up the process of his body getting back to normal while Jasper was out gathering everyone.

Orlork looked around his home to see what had changed and so far, he was pleased to see that Jasper kept everything in order. The only headache was what Nathaniel was doing now.

He was quite close to giving Nathaniel the same punishment he gave to Camilla but breaking Nathaniel’s fangs for wanting to wake his father just wasn’t going to be enough. Nathaniel was foolish to think of waking someone over the conflict he was having with Xavier.

Orlork tried to place where he went wrong with Nathaniel. Why was he suddenly acting like a fool?

After what felt like hours later, Nathaniel was the first one to arrive. He had been out looking for Josephine after she didn’t return home. With news of the attacks spreading through the town, Nathaniel grew worried Josephine had been injured or held captive.

Now that his father was awake, Nathaniel stopped his search and rushed to see his father.

"Father!" Nathaniel called, happy to see Orlork awake and well. "This is a surprise. I thought we wouldn’t see you for a few more decades. Who woke you?" He asked, looking around for Xavier or his siblings.

"It doesn’t matter who woke me up. What matters is my son being the one to disturb this family and gather all the members when he doesn’t need to. Don’t disturb everyone else because you can’t control your son. You’ve made a mess I now have to clean up," said Orlork.

Nathaniel was confused. "Father, whatever they have told you clearly they have said it wrong. I didn’t create a mess. I am trying to get Xavier to be with the woman most suited for him."

Orlork wasn’t interested in Nathaniel’s plans. "I recall you bringing me a woman you picked when the family had selected another for you. I allowed it, did I not?"

"You did but the family has recently spoken of wanting another to marry into one of the other four families. To tie us to another family-"

"We are all tied together thanks to what we did in the past and your mother ties us even more. I considered having two families tied to us by marriage but after you brought Josephine, I got rid of the idea. Why are you bringing up a plan that was discarded when you were to marry?" Orlork questioned.

"Well, the others are pushing for it and it makes sense for Xavier to marry the princess," Nathaniel explained his actions. Why was his father acting like this when he had been angry years ago? "I thought you wanted this as well."

Nathaniel knew Orlork had not liked Josephine at first and was angry he missed the chance to bring the other woman into their family. Why now was Orlork saying it didn’t matter?

"Xavier doesn’t need to marry the princess, you fool. We’re all royals. We simply put one family as the face of this kingdom. Who gave you the power to call upon this family to gather over a small matter of who Xavier married? Who?" Orlork asked, closing the space between him and Nathaniel.

Nathaniel looked down at the floor. "With you and grandfather asleep, I had to step up along with the elders. I have been holding this family together and I have been doing my best to see that your plans happen."

"Oh," Orlork grabbed Nathaniel’s shoulder. "What plans are these? I don’t remember sharing my plans with you. You went on your own and decided that I would want Xavier to marry the princess."

Nathaniel winced as his father’s nails dug into his shoulder. "It was also what the elders wanted."

"I am told the boy has already gotten married so it is time you stop. I will make my judgement of that woman when she arrives. If we follow what you want then you should have long left Josephine," Orlork said, pulling his nails out of Nathaniel’s flesh.

"No," Nathaniel disagreed with Orlork. "Josephine’s name isn’t ruined like Selene’s is."

Orlork laughed at what Nathaniel said. "It doesn’t matter to me if her name is ruined. We’re all ruined in some way. What matters is the power she possesses. You were too busy fuming over him not listening to you that you failed to find out what talent her family acquired."

"That," Nathaniel started but he didn’t have a good excuse. "The princess is quite talented. She is the best shapeshifter we have ever seen since she can shift into more than a bat. Why are you so interested in the Harrisons?"

Orlork knew he failed to raise Nathaniel right since he couldn’t look beyond marrying Xavier to the princess. "You do know only one of her parents is from the Harrisons, right? Her mother comes from a family of purebloods who took off after the war and went to live where no one could disturb them. They are hiding something."

"I didn’t think of her other family," Nathaniel confessed.

When Nathaniel thought about Selene, he only thought about the Harrisons. He never looked into her other family. He was almost certain that no one else did.

"Of course, you didn’t since you have a habit of acting before you think. You were never going to convince him to marry the princess. What you did could divide us. You are strong my son, but my grandson was blessed with many talents. Many of the Blackthorns will side with him."

Nathaniel didn’t think so. "No, they will not. I stand above Xavier. I hold more power than he-"

Orlork silenced Nathaniel by pulling on his arm to toss him toward a wall. "You think you have power because you are my firstborn? Power is what you can do to make others know you aren’t to be messed with. It is what you have to defend what you love or to get what you want. You speak too much, son. You have missed that your son’s talents outshine your own."

Nathaniel stood up, ignoring the pain in his back as his body healed. "What do you know of what he can do? Xavier has always been secretive. What I have seen from him isn’t so special. Even I could do it."

Orlork laughed at Nathaniel’s claim.

Orlork believed that Nathaniel was strong. Nathaniel shined better than his siblings but it couldn’t be changed that Xavier inherited something special.

Years later, Orlork still thought it was best he was the one Xavier confided in about flying and being able to control other bodies. There were others they found thanks to Orlork helping Xavier through some tests.

Xavier reminded Orlork of his father when it came to power. Luckily, Xavier was a better version. The secrets Orlork shared with Xavier helped to create a special bond so Orlork felt like if Xavier truly wanted the woman he married now then he couldn’t get in the way of it. It was the least he could do.

"Why does it feel like you two have been fighting?" Camilla asked as she walked into the room filled with tension. "Oh, I forgot. Our family gatherings are always like this. Lacking warmth and love. Who have you woken up to punish, father?"