Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 170: In control (1)

Thomas rushed into the chamber and came upon an unsettling sight.

Ophelia struggled to pry her hand out of Dante’s hold without further injuring herself. "He’s still asleep. Help me," she pleaded on the verge of crying.

Thomas dropped his sword and ran to Ophelia’s side. He held her bloody hand and gently tried to pry her hand out of Dante’s hold before the wounds became worse.

Ophelia stumbled back when Thomas succeeded. Her hand was in a great deal of pain, but Ophelia was more focused on Dante’s well-being.

"I don’t know what happened. I was only trying to fix his blanket, then he grabbed me. Thomas?" Ophelia asked, noticing Thomas’s fear.

"We must cage him," Thomas spoke softly. "You shouldn’t be near him. You must leave his chamber at once."

Ophelia caught on to what was happening. "Is he changing? Is it normal for him to be unconscious while he changes?"

Ophelia now noticed that Dante’s nails looked more like claws, which explained why his grip hurt her so much.

"No, he’s been awake each time for the change. Since this is all new, we cannot predict what he will do next. The full moon must be upon us. We weren’t paying attention," Thomas said, returning to grab his sword. "You must see Eliza and stay in your chamber."

Ophelia walked to the door, placing distance between herself and Dante. "Dante and I agreed that I would take a look at him when he is caged. I won’t stay with him all night. I only want to see."

"You must first have your hand taken care of. Your blood places you in danger. You are prey for what shall wake up soon. You must have your wound cleaned and wrapped up," Thomas advised Ophelia.

"I will go to Eliza. Have him placed in the dungeon without being seen by our guests. Chain him and do not take your eyes off him. Warn the others to be cautious. We cannot have more injuries," said Ophelia.

Ophelia opened the chamber door and stepped out. She tried not to move her hand too much as the slightest movement caused pain.

"Lady Hastings! You are injured!" Alice yelled upon seeing Ophelia’s bloody hand. "Did the guests injure you?’

"Alice, I need you to run and tell the knights Lord Hastings trusts most to send some men here while others prepare the dungeon. Inform the headmaid that our guests will be having their dinner in their chambers. Ow," Ophelia cried out after accidentally moving her hand.

Alice stepped forward, wanting to help Ophelia, but remembered they weren’t close. "Should I send for the doctor as well?"

"No," Ophelia shook her head. "I need you to do your tasks. We have little time to move him before the outsiders become suspicious. I will go to the doctor myself and take her to the dungeon. You must also have the headmaid stop the maids from coming this way."

"Thomas is helping with my husband, so I will need other guards to take his place. Hurry!" Ophelia raised her voice. She couldn’t have anyone moving slowly when there was too much at risk.

Alice wanted to stay with Ophelia to ensure she made it to Eliza, but her orders were important. Alice ran off to find the knights.

Ophelia closed her eyes, taking a moment to get accustomed to the discomfort in her hand. She held her injured hand, using the support to limit her movement.

Ophelia took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She didn’t know where Eliza was, but she had to find her quickly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Ophelia’s eyes filled with water, but not a single tear fell. Despite the excruciating pain, she tried not to cry. She hated to cry even in moments like this.

When Dante was finally back to his normal self, Ophelia would gladly tell him that he had not badly hurt her. That he hadn’t made her cry, so he shouldn’t worry.

’This is nothing,’ Ophelia told herself. She could bear with this pain and get back to Dante’s side.

Ophelia walked around the castle with her bloody hand for what felt like ages, but she was lucky to find Eliza in her study.

"Lady Hastings!" Eliza gasped, startled by Ophelia’s appearance.

"I need medicine applied and my hand wrapped. Clean it as best as you can so there isn’t a scent of blood. You must do it quickly since I must return to Lord Hastings side. Please, spare me from your usual antics," Ophelia requested.

Ophelia sat down and extended her arm to Eliza. She bit her lip, stifling the pain.

"Now!" Ophelia yelled, frustrated with Eliza standing around. "I have voiced my issues with you and given you time to do better, but you never try to prove me wrong."

"Forgive me, Lady Hastings. I am in shock by the state of your arm," Eliza said, snapping out of her shock.

Eliza looked for her tools and bandages.

"You are in a castle filled with knights who get injured at war or in fights every day when they train, yet this surprises you? It seems that, along with the knights, you need to train. Once you are done here, you need to prepare a bag. Others might get hurt, so we will need you to be prepared," said Ophelia.

Ophelia winced when Eliza poured a liquid on her hand.

"You must hold still. It will sting at first, but I have an ointment which should help right away. Drink this," Eliza said, offering Ophelia a small bottle. "It will relax you and help with the pain."

Ophelia accepted the small bottle from Eliza, but she didn’t drink.

Eliza pressed down on Ophelia’s wound, causing a cry to fill the small quarter.

Ophelia placed the bottle to her lips and swallowed the medicine.

"Did Lord Hastings do this? These markings are the same as the last time he injured a guard. I wanted to speak up and suggest placing him in the dungeon, since a full moon is tomorrow. It seems we guessed wrong, and one will be tonight," Eliza said as she cleaned Ophelia’s wound. "It’s not unusual for us to have a day off."

"With Lord Hastings’ state, it must be that the change is happening faster without the full moon. There have been many changes since you arrived, Lady Hastings. Now look at what has become of Lord Hastings," Eliza said, looking up to meet Ophelia’s gaze.

"You’re one of her spies, aren’t you? That’s why you have been so disobedient," Ophelia realised, finally understanding Eliza.

Eliza smiled, relieved to soon be rid of Ophelia. "I wouldn’t describe myself as one of Lady Cecilia’s spies. I am a loyal servant who knows not to bite the hand of a woman who helped my family for years. From the day you arrived, you have disrupted the castle, and now, Lord Hastings is unconscious."

Ophelia didn’t bring any good to the castle.

Ophelia felt her body getting lighter and suspected it was the medicine she drank. "I’m going to survive this, and when I do, I am going to personally kill you."

"I’m afraid you won’t survive the day, Ophelia. Lord Hastings must have the desire to kill you since he injured you. We shall help him finish," Eliza said as Ophelia fell unconscious.