Chapter 667. Reluctant Acceptance
Jael led Mauve out of his bedroom to the dining hall. Explaining what he had done was easier than he had expected, and she didn’t hate the idea. He already knew she wouldn’t, but it was a completely different situation when he had to tell her. He glanced down at her and smiled. Mauve caught him looking and she frowned, but not out of annoyance, more out of confusion.
"Did Mill miss a spot?" she asked.
"Ha," Jael replied. "Why do you always think that?"
"Because even though you’re smiling at me, there is still a very serious look in your eyes."
He blinked. "Because I am looking at you intently," he replied. She giggled and leaned into him but didn’t say anything more.
Jael knew exactly what she saw. He was worried; Louis didn’t want him to tell Mauve but there was no way he wouldn’t. He just needed the right time to do so and, in the meantime, he wanted to watch her closely. If perhaps there was some truth to what Louis said. He didn’t want to think of what he would have to do if there was.
The guards bowed to both of them as they got to the hall and opened the doors. Their earlier surprise was gone and they did their duties without hesitation. The door opened and Jael was immediately greeted with stares, but they didn’t last long on him. As soon as they saw it was him, all eyes immediately moved to Mauve.
He glanced at her and she didn’t seem to mind. Now that he had told her what was going on, she seemed pretty braced for it. He wanted to scoop her up and kiss her soundly on her lips. Her strength was something that called to him. He didn’t want to put her through any more pain ever again.
Jael forced himself to look away and he moved towards the table, gently guiding her. He pulled out her seat and she dropped into it. "Thank you," she said.
Jael held his reply as he sat down. The Lords did the same and Jael’s eyes met with Louis’s. He got a stern frown but Jael quickly turned away. After the conversation Mauve interrupted and the arrival of his guards, Jael had done his best to make sure Louis didn’t have the opportunity to converse with him privately.
He understood that Louis meant no harm, but his ability to not empathize with his feelings towards his unborn child was a pain in the ass. Jael didn’t judge him, though; he was sure he would have given similar advice if the roles were reversed.