Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 105: Consequences (2)

"Lord Hastings!" Harold stood up just as Dante moved. "We have been loyal to your family from the time your father stood in your position. We are allowed a chance to explain ourselves to you and not be interrogated by a woman who comes from the Valthorn family. She is no good."

Ophelia smiled, humoured by what Harold said. "I gave you a chance to explain yourself, and all you wanted to do was deflect. It is evident that you switched sides and thought my husband was going to die. If you regretted it, you should have come to him sooner to confess."

"I think the men should settle this amongst themselves. You may trust your wife, but we do not. She is still a Valthorn, though her name has changed. Please," Francis pleaded.

Francis hated that Norman said nothing when he was the one closest to Dante. Why would they be forced to listen to a woman questioning them when she was new to this world?

Francis was well aware of Ophelia’s position in the Valthorn family. She wasn’t important or cared for by her family, so what gave her the right to act high and mighty now?

"It doesn’t matter what name my wife had before me, since she has not betrayed me now. Have you gotten tired of being on my side? Are you like the others to hate serving a man younger than you? Or, do you have something new to add to the list?" Dante inquired as he moved to get his sword.

Francis joined Harold in standing. It was a mistake to come here. He knew it from the start.

Joel claimed that no one would see them gather because the palace guards would send spies away, but Dante managed to find out.

Harold closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he was ready for what was to come.

"Our differences with Lord Valthorn have been settled, and the war is now over thanks to your marriage uniting the two families. It is not wrong for me to see Lord Valthorn in a new light and meet with him. You should be welcoming him," said Harold.

"Unless you are planning to continue the war, which goes against everything the king wants, there is no harm in us meeting Lord Valthorn," Francis backed up Harold. "We are tired of fighting. We fought in our youth, and now we want a quiet life."

"What has he promised you? Joel has a habit of trying to buy his friends. Surely, he offered you something for your new change of attitude towards him-"

"The likes of you will not question me," Harold spoke over Ophelia.

"Likes of me? Just say you won’t speak to a woman. I remember the faces of the men who joined you at the castle. I heard everything offered to you then. I was only waiting for you to reveal it before I tell my husband. My husband’s land is quite valuable, isn’t it?" Ophelia asked, bluffing.

Francis looked down, his nervousness getting the best of him.

Dante had already picked up his sword, and Francis noticed the knights now blocking the doors. They weren’t going to get out of here unless they told Dante the truth.

"He promised us a piece of your land-"

"Francis!" Harold yelled.

"I will not go down with you. I haven’t accepted it yet, but I did meet with him in the morning to speak of it. He said that we should be on your side that morning because you had been killed. Many of our peers have been going to his side because he has the king’s support," Francis said, hopeful his confession would keep him alive.

"You must get the king to be on your side because it is what you lack. Those who are loyal to you worry about the king joining in killing you and what would happen to us. We are worried about our families," Francis explained.

Francis couldn’t keep counting on a man who angered the king, and Joel’s offer had been wonderful.

"What about my land did he offer you? Speak before I ask my wife," said Dante.

"Lord Valthorn offered us a share of the riches he claims when you are gone and a bit of land for us to do as we please. It was tempting," Francis confessed.

"Dear husband, it is fair that they have their doubts. You should let them freely go to Joel’s side," Ophelia said, seeing no reason to torture the men any longer. "Their minds are set, and so is your mind. Free them," she encouraged Dante.

"We won’t share your secrets. We owe it to your father to keep our mouths shut. We are merely going where it is safer for our family. Your father should have bowed to the king and given him what he was after. Edward would have been on your side instead of Joel’s. There is still time," Harold said, knowing the king still wanted Dante.

Dante walked around the table whilst admiring his sword. He motioned to the knights not to move. This was something he needed to do himself.

Ophelia remained seated. Her attention was no longer on the men, but rather on the table. She was happy she didn’t let the servants place the food on the table, as the blood would ruin a good feast.

Harold was the first one to start backing away, but was blocked by someone he considered to be a friend. "Norman? You knew this was the plan all along?" He asked, having a deep sense of betrayal.

"I didn’t know what I was walking into, but I am glad to be a witness to it. You owe the former Lord Hastings your life. You should have honoured his wishes and stood by his son. To think I had tea with you on many occasions," Norman said, picking up a knife from the table.

Dante’s father was like a brother to Norman. He was the only man Norman saw to stand on his word and never bowed to Edward when he was wrong, though he was the king. It was unfortunate that such a man with principles was killed, but he left behind a son who stood with those principles.

"I have a family," Francis reminded Dante.

Ophelia stood up from her chair as Dante neared the two men. "So does Lord Hastings. You may go to Lord Valthorn’s side, but it has cost your life. Surely, you do not expect us to believe you will keep my husband’s secrets. I am sure you have shared plenty already. Kill them," she instructed Dante.