Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 145: Quiet day (2)

Ophelia dismissed the maids waiting in the garden and sat down with Mary. She was a bit nervous about hosting her first visitor to the castle, but tried not to let it show.

Ophelia watched as Mary looked over the food and drinks prepared. "If it isn’t to your liking, I can always have the kitchen prepare more," said Ophelia.

"This is well. I am a lover of all kinds of teas. When I have time, I like to brew my own tea and prepare a few mixes. I have brought along a box of tea leaves for you as a gift. The knights took it to inspect it," Mary said, not wanting Ophelia to think she came empty-handed.

Mary looked around the garden and said, "Is it always this quiet in the castle, or is it due to the rumours of danger on the land?"

Seeing that Lord Hastings was not present, Mary believed the gossip which reached her husband’s ears. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"You knew," Ophelia replied, but she wasn’t surprised.

Dante’s absence was missed.

Mary nodded her head. "A farmer spoke of seeing Lord Hastings and many knights moving late in the night. I do not know what for, and I won’t ask to place you in a difficult position. Seeing that you are alone, I find it all the better that I came."

"You came despite knowing there was danger?"

"Yes. My husband wouldn’t allow me to turn down an invitation from Lady Hastings, but I know Lord Hastings will be fine. He has always protected us," Mary said, yet to feel concerned. "I also want to get to know more about you, Ophelia. I wanted our talk in the capital to be longer."

Ophelia smiled, happy that Mary also thought of seeing her again. "I’m sure he will be fine as well. There is a bit of trouble with Duke Vale, but I am certain it is only a misunderstanding."

"Nothing is a misunderstanding with the Duke. He wants revenge and rightfully so. Unfortunately, no one will come out to speak of how wrong it was for the king to kill his family. We should all stay away from the duke since he doesn’t appear to be in his right mind," Mary said, hoping Ophelia would not cross paths with Kaden.

"Have you met him?" Ophelia asked, curious.

"I did once before he distanced himself from the palace. I knew his presence in the palace meant there would soon be trouble, but never did I think it would involve Lord Hastings. Was the castle left in your care?" Mary whispered and leaned forward so Ophelia could hear her clearly.

"It is. Lady Cecilia is not here, and neither is Victoria. My husband left the castle in my hands only. Oops," Ophelia placed her hand to her mouth. "I suppose it is hard to stop speaking about husbands."

"You must always be on guard. If your husband has been the one to keep you safe all this time, then danger will come to you soon. It is the perfect time for anyone to attack you. Even the servants can be loyal to someone else. Don’t get too comfortable even for a second," Mary advised Ophelia.

Mary was willing to bet Cecilia had someone watching Ophelia.

"I know. I know now is the time I have to be careful. Thank you," Ophelia said, grateful to have someone who cared. "You are one of the few people who think of my well-being."

"I was in your shoes once and had no one on my side. I know what it is like to be thrown into your husband’s home with his family, who have many rules for you and don’t hide their disdain for you. I imagine it is worse for you to come from the Valthorns. I want to be the friend I wish I had," Mary explained.

Mary had to learn by herself and face challenges alone. It took time for Mary to stand on her own and not be pushed around. In Ophelia’s position, she needed to learn faster.

"Of all the ladies who have arranged marriages, I want to help you the most. Don’t give me a look of pity because of my marriage. I will avoid you," Mary warned Ophelia.

"It is not a pity. I am admiring you. If I were running away, I would take you with me," said Ophelia.

Mary laughed since it was the first time anyone had spoken of taking her away from her husband. "That is kind of you, but I don’t have any interest in running away. For all that I have endured thus far, surely I am to be rewarded. Wouldn’t you agree?"

"Yes. By reward, do you mean your children’s inheritance?" Ophelia asked, but she sensed there was more.

"Yes, let us say that will be my reward. I find you to be unlike the other ladies. Promise me that if anything were to happen to Lord Hastings, you wouldn’t simply walk away and let someone take all of this," Mary said, referring to the castle. "They throw us into these marriages and try to leave us with nothing when it all falls."

"I am well aware that if something were to happen to my husband, the Hastings would fight for me to leave. I trust that Dante has made preparations for my future, but truly, the castle life never suited me. I wouldn’t mind settling somewhere to be out of sight," Ophelia confessed.

"I understand. You went from castle to castle. For me, I wish to take what I feel is mine, but more importantly, I want to take what the others gained by offering me to my husband. It took me years to realise what I could take. I hope you don’t make the same mistake," said Mary.

"I understand if you are angry with what I ask, but do you love your children?"

Ophelia was curious whether Mary loved her children despite not loving their father. Ophelia couldn’t help thinking of how Giselle became when another man came along.

"They don’t have any part in coming into this world, so I would never mistreat them. I love them dearly, and I will do all that I must to protect them. I will have a time of peace with my children, and I wish for you to have what you yearn for. What do you want, Ophelia?" Mary asked, trying to get to know Ophelia.

"I want my brother to be safe," Ophelia answered.

"That is good, but what do you want? Without thinking of others, what do you yearn for? Do you not have a dream for yourself that doesn’t include others?" Mary asked, a bit disappointed.

"I rarely think of myself. My brother is ill, so I always think of him first. I would say peace is what I yearn for. A quiet life where I wouldn’t want attention to come to me. A life where I can take a break after working for many years. I am lucky to be experiencing it now," Ophelia realised.