Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 179: Death wish (2)
"I am not asking you to kill me. Ophelia wouldn’t look at you again if you killed me, and that goes against what I want. I want to stop taking the medicine and be seen by doctors. I am going to enjoy some time with her, but I want to die," said Theo.
Theo was tired of living his life having to be carried around by someone, hearing about the world from others’ stories, or having to look out a window. Theo was even more tired of being a test for doctors.
"I’m constantly in pain. The medicine can only do so much, and the doctors my mother sent to me were always useless, so I would be in pain after they came to me. I’ve been stuck in a place I hate for a long time," Theo said, relaxing his hand as he let go of his anger.
"I’ve wanted to die for a long time, but if I did, I would be leaving Ophelia alone with those people. Staying alive meant she had to endure their bad treatment so they would send me medicine. I don’t like being the reason she suffers. It’s about time Ophelia gets to live for herself," Theo said. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"Ophelia isn’t going to take this well. You should give me some more thought," Dante advised Theo.
"I can’t be the reason Ophelia keeps living anymore. She has a good life now with people who care for her. She’ll be heartbroken, I know, but the blow will be easier now that she has people like you around. Don’t let her have that silly idea, we must die together," Theo said, knowing Ophelia would try to follow him.
"You wouldn’t understand how I feel. It’s not easy to conclude that you want to die. I just, I can’t bear this pain anymore and let this be my life. I will not have Ophelia caring for me all her life. So, when the time comes, I ask that you be at her side," Theo requested.
"I do not think-"
"You’ve been around my sister enough to know how stubborn we are. I’ve made up my mind, and there’s nothing either one of you can do to change it. I feel happy thinking about being away from this pain. I also believe that somehow I’ll be born anew and healthy. That life is waiting for me," Theo said, eager for a new beginning.
Dante didn’t know how to convince Theo to change his mind. If Ophelia wasn’t enough for Theo to stay alive, then what could he do?
"You made me realise how I sounded when I told my loved ones I wanted to die. It’s not good news to share. Her time in this castle gave your sister new plans for the future. I’m confident you will change your mind after a few days," Dante said, deciding to let the castle win Theo over.
Theo laughed, humoured by Dante thinking it was that simple. "Do what you want, but you’re wasting your time. I’ll let Ophelia enjoy the first few days of our reunion before I have a talk with her. Don’t tell her until then."
"I can’t keep secrets from my wife," said Dante.
"You can if you want her dear little brother to like you. I’m telling you this beforehand, not to place you in trouble with her, but so you’re prepared to be at her side. I will tell her, and when I do, I will make sure she doesn’t get angry with you for knowing," Theo promised.
Theo smiled as he laid back on his pillow. "Ophelia can’t get angry with her dear little brother. Being sick also helps. Besides, I have a feeling she suspected that I had these thoughts. She used to try really hard to stay at my side when she didn’t need to."
"It has become quite depressing here, so I say we move on. That is not all I wanted to speak about. What are you going to do about my mother?" Theo asked, wanting Giselle to be dealt with. "She’s not here without bad intentions. Her husband is foolish to send her here to kill you."
Theo was certain that if Giselle couldn’t get to Dante, she would try her hardest to get to Ophelia to kill her.
"I can’t harm her when she hasn’t done anything worth imprisoning her for," Dante said, but he had a plot for Giselle.
"Then, why don’t we let my mother think she is wise and let her go through with her plans? I’m sure you have eyes all around your castle. Watch her to see what she is plotting and use it to your advantage. If she tries to kill you or my sister, it is worth imprisoning her for. Don’t let her return," Theo said, wanting to see Giselle imprisoned.
"I have tasked the guards and maids to watch her. Ophelia was one step ahead in keeping an eye on Lady Valthorn. The second she slips up, she will be taken to the dungeon. She would give company to my mother," said Dante.
Theo’s brow raised as he was intrigued by what Dante shared. "Your mother is in the dungeon? May I know why? I only know a little about her and how she treated my sister."
"She went against my wishes," Dante answered.
"I see. Are all mothers like this? So against their children’s wishes, I mean," Theo clarified. "I’d prefer to see my mother dead than imprisoned, but a dungeon would be enough for now."
"Not all of them are bad. I have been fortunate to meet women who are wonderful mothers. Some of us are just stuck with the ones who don’t think of their children. You’ll meet ladies who prove your judgment of mothers wrong," said Dante.
"Ophelia will be a good mother one day. I know she has said she doesn’t want children, but I think her mind will change. Along with getting our mother out of the way, one day you will need to get rid of Nigel. He is obsessed with her and will keep trying to get Ophelia back in his hands," Theo said, worried about the lengths Nigel would go to.
"Nigel isn’t going to be anywhere near Ophelia again, but if he is so foolish as to try standing before her, I will kill him. The Valthorns will soon fall. I promise you," Dante said, closer to going ahead with his plans.
"Bella is innocent. I ask that you don’t harm her."
"I won’t. It is Joel and Nigel whom I must get rid of. I’ll let you rest while I go to your sister. I need to see that she is well. I urge you to reconsider your option," Dante said, hopeful that Theo’s mind could be changed.
