Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 119: Home (1)

Away from the palace, Ophelia awoke in the middle of the night. Something troubled her, but she didn’t know what it was.

Ophelia rubbed her eyes as she sat up on the carriage seat. It wasn’t comfortable to lie in the carriage to sleep, but Dante said it would be the safest place for her to be at night in an unfamiliar place.

Ophelia looked at Alice, who slept on the other seat. She was certain Alice’s back would hurt in the morning. She then turned her attention back to the fire outside where she had last talked with Dante, and found him asleep on the grass.

To sleep on the grass would be better, but Ophelia didn’t want to risk the danger.

"Dante," Ophelia called as softly as she could, not wanting to wake the other knights.

"You are to be asleep," Dante answered.

"The carriage seat is not comfortable. Alice will surely feel it in the morning," Ophelia said as she opened the door. "Can I sit by you until my back no longer aches? You don’t need to stay awake."

"I wouldn’t be a good husband if I slept while my wife stayed awake. You can rest on the grass for a moment. The lookouts will alert us of danger, but since the air is cold, you should return to the carriage soon," said Dante.

Dante spread out his blanket for Ophelia to take most of it. He then moved so she could take the space beside him.

"I’m sorry for disturbing you. I should have taken a cushion from the mansion or a soft blanket, so Alice and I could sleep on the floor," Ophelia said as she placed herself beside Dante. "I had not thought ahead."

"We would have been at an inn for the night, but I never take the same path when leaving the capital. Tomorrow you will enjoy the comfort of a bed when we stop at an inn," said Dante.

"I feel bad to enjoy a bed when the knights have to sleep outside on the grass. I don’t mind this," Ophelia said, looking up at the sky. "All I need is a tent, and I can do just fine outside. The sky is beautiful. Sometimes I forget to take a moment to enjoy it."

"I am missing my tower," Ophelia confessed.

"Then go there before bed to admire the sky, but you are not to sleep there. It is not your chamber anymore, and if I must, I will take you from it by force. Use it for your garden and your hobbies, but that is all."

"You are one strict husband. I welcome you to be in the tower at night, and then you will realise the beauty you have overlooked for years. What are you doing?" Ophelia questioned after Dante covered her eyes with his hand.

"Forcing you to go to sleep. Good night, Ophelia," Dante said, closing his eyes.

"Good night," Ophelia replied.

Ophelia went the night without returning to the carriage. She woke in the morning as the knights prepared for departure and joined Alice inside the carriage.

Ophelia stayed in the carriage during the trip home unless she needed to stretch her legs when the horses rested, or the group stopped at a tavern.

After many days away, Ophelia laid eyes upon the Hastings’ castle.

"We are back!" Alice cheered, eager to be in the comfort of her bed. "I will have the maids bring prepared warm water for your bath."

"You may do so and then take the day off. You have been away from your family and friends for days, so you will need time to be with them. Come ready tomorrow to do a lot of planning with me. I have many ideas for the castle and to get the servants in order. Rest," Ophelia instructed Alice.

"You are too kind. I will speak to the others about how kind you have been."

"No, I will gather the maids and speak to them myself. I will end their behaviour and get the castle under control. Just rest for now and don’t think of any work today. I will be in my chamber resting as well, so don’t worry about my husband," said Ophelia.

"What about me?" Dante asked as he opened the door. "Were you gossiping about me?"

"I wouldn’t gossip about you when you are near. I am giving Alice the day off since she deserves it. I will be in my chamber if you need me. There is trouble," Ophelia said, her gaze going to the person walking out the front doors.

Ophelia didn’t accept Dante’s hand as Cecilia came into view, and she didn’t want to hear Cecilia’s complaints.

Dante looked back to find his mother standing where she didn’t belong. Before he acknowledged her, Dante faced Ophelia and held her hand. His mother’s arrival didn’t change how he would help Ophelia.

Ophelia accepted Dante’s help and stepped out of the carriage. She was in a pleasant mood, knowing Theo would soon be on his way to the castle so Cecilia could try all she wanted, but she would not succeed in upsetting Ophelia.

"Son, you have returned in one piece. I spent every night praying for your safe return, and when I couldn’t bear your absence any longer, I came to the castle. I see that much has changed," Cecilia said, paying attention to Dante’s hold on Ophelia. "Where is Victoria?"

"She is where you should be now. I didn’t allow you to return to the castle while I was away. You and the ones who allowed you inside need to be escorted out. Go home to Victoria. She’ll have plenty to tell you about her trip," said Dante.

"You don’t ever intend to listen to me, do you? I know men can be stubborn, but this is foolish, Dante. Can’t you see what is becoming of you? How disappointed would your father be?" Cecilia asked, annoyed by the evident closeness of the pair. "I want to speak to you."

Dante guided Ophelia by his mother and let go of her hand when she was at a good distance from Cecilia.

"I have now returned from a long, tiring trip, mother. Allow me to rest before you fill my ears with your complaints. You could at least give me a day to settle," Dante said, keeping watch of Ophelia as she went inside.

"It is by chance that I am here when you returned, and I thought myself lucky, but now I see how much my son has turned on me. You never listen," Cecilia said, disappointed. She thought distance would make Dante realise his mistake.

"It appears to be a flaw I inherited from you, mother."