Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 129: Good news (1)
"I don’t have any interest in doing what would get you to like me. Hate me if you will, but it won’t affect my life. I see that it has affected you," Ophelia said, taking a jab at Rick. "Don’t pout. I am allowed to be a little happy to see you punished for how you handled the matter with the dungeon."
"Looking back, had Dante not arrived at the dungeon, you might have tried to get me killed. I’m sure you know the facts now that I was only defending myself from Cecilia and that Victoria poisoned herself to stay here," said Ophelia.
Rick frowned, surprised by this revelation.
"Oh, you weren’t told the truth. For Victoria’s sake, you shouldn’t share it with anyone else. I am not expecting an apology from you since I know it won’t be genuine, but I ask that instead of acting on emotion, you investigate. Your mistake could lead to the downfall of my husband and me. Do better," Ophelia advised Rick.
Ophelia thought that if Rick couldn’t get his act in order, someone else should be Dante’s second in command. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"We are never going to be close friends, but since we both have to be around Dante, it would be wise to get along for his sake. Lord Hastings shouldn’t be burdened with settling your anger or your misbehaviour. Think of how it is for him to send you away. You should move the chair to a table," Ophelia said, allowing Rick to move.
"If you betray him-"
"Enough of this. If I wanted to betray him, I would have done it long ago. Why do you all intend to overlook the fact that I also had this marriage forced upon me? You sometimes speak as if I plotted to be here. I will never be the one to hurt him, but you have done it," said Ophelia.
Ophelia continued, "You might not have physically hurt him, but you have hurt him. Instead of being angry with me and thinking I am plotting to hurt him, you should work on apologising to him. Luckily, there will be drinks tonight, so everyone will be in a good mood."
Ophelia frowned as she realised she could not be in a good mood since she should not drink.
"I apologise for how I behaved the day I took you to the dungeon, and what I said afterwards. It was wrong of me because you are Lady Hastings. I am being sincere with this apology," Rick said, admitting his wrongdoings.
"I will believe it as long as you don’t seek my help to stay in the castle. I am not going to change my husband’s order, and we are not close enough for me to care. I do wish you well and hope you can be at my husband’s side again. He needs all the people he trusts to be near," said Ophelia.
Ophelia walked away from Rick since there wasn’t anything more they needed to speak about. She had moved past what Rick did to her and was willing to be cordial for Dante’s sake.
Ophelia returned to Thomas’s side.
Not long after, Alice came to join them.
"The maids are all excited since they will be given an extra dinner. It is good that you decided to think of their dinner. Usually, it is the knights who receive a feast while the maids clean up after them and get what is left," said Alice.
"Everyone should enjoy themselves tonight and continue to rest, as the days ahead will bring a lot of work. Now, if you both care for me, I suggest that you keep me away from all the rum. I cannot have a repeat of that awful night. Come," Ophelia said, leading the way. "You will both take your seats beside me."
"You’ve become popular," Dante said as he approached Ophelia. "On my way here, I heard of how good you are."
"You sound afraid that I might surpass you in being liked. You wanted me to get closer to the knights, and now it has happened. This is how we will have dinner from now on, so get used to it," Ophelia said as she sat down.
"Is this how it will be now with you taking charge of my castle?" Dante asked, taking his seat beside Ophelia before Alice took it.
"Your castle? Since I am now Lady Hastings, is it not my castle as well? You can keep your focus on the war while I tend to the castle. It will be in good hands. Now, what should I drink?" Ophelia asked, looking around at what the maids served.
Dante moved a jug to place it before Ophelia. "Water. That is all you will have tonight. There are too many ponds around my castle for you to drink here. Enjoy your water and go to bed without wanting to swim."
"Must you repeat the embarrassing tale? I wasn’t going to drink, but if you’re going to bother me all night, I might need a little help. I shall do my best to ignore you," Ophelia said, looking away from Dante.
"Try your best," Dante said and didn’t get a response from Ophelia.
Dante laughed, expecting an entertaining night and ended up getting his wish.
Dinner went as Ophelia planned, and by the time morning came, Ophelia woke up with her hands free since she didn’t partake in drinking.
"My lady! Lady Hastings! You must open your eyes!" Alice yelled as she entered the chamber.
Ophelia covered her ears with her hand. "My eyes are open, but I wish there were a way to close my ears. What is it that is so important? Is there a fire?"
"No. It is even better. I have overheard and witnessed myself that Lord Hastings has instructed the gardeners to prepare a vegetable garden as a gift to you. It is being done below your balcony," Alice shared, opening a blind to the right of Ophelia’s bed to let the light in.
Ophelia sat up. "A garden? That is rather peculiar. He didn’t speak of it at dinner. Let me see," Ophelia said, getting up from the bed.
Alice opened the balcony door for Ophelia and waited patiently for her to see what had everyone talking.
Ophelia leaned over and found the gardeners planting vegetables below her window.
"I thought it was rather odd he planted vegetables instead of flowers," Alice said, failing to understand Dante’s choice.
"I can’t eat flowers, can I? Should there ever be a time there is no food in the castle, we know where to go. I must get dressed," Ophelia said, wanting to get a closer look.
