Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 198: Plotting to kill (4)

Dante left Kaden’s side before their truce ended in one day. He walked over to Ophelia after she said her goodbyes to Mary.

"I don’t know how she does it. I would have killed him on the first night," Ophelia said, glaring daggers at William. "I welcomed her to stay at the castle, but she is returning home to him. I don’t want to overstep."

"If she needs your help, she knows where to find you. I take it that you won’t be inviting William to the castle," said Dante.

Ophelia looked up at Dante, offended that he would think it. "I don’t want that man anywhere near our home. Does it excite you that I don’t like him?" She asked, questioning Dante’s smile.

"No, you said it is our home. It is about time you think it that way," Dante said, leaning down to kiss Ophelia, only to be stopped by her hand.

"We are being watched," said Ophelia.

"We are married," Dante replied.

"I am well aware. It isn’t the townspeople I meant. It is my mother," Ophelia said, tired of Giselle’s questions. "I don’t want to hear of us putting on an act. If you were the one forced to hear all that she says, then I wouldn’t mind the display."

"Then, should I escort her around the town?" Dante offered, willing to put up with Giselle for a kiss.

"That would be wonderful. I am tired of her plans and attempts to get close to us. I am allowing her to prepare a picnic for us. I know," Ophelia said as Dante’s brows raised. "You mustn’t eat what she prepares. That will be your chance to imprison her, so you must be present."

"Wouldn’t someone need to eat her poisoned food to expose her?’

"No, I will have the cook switch what she prepares and fake a reaction. What? Do you not think I could fake being poisoned? Had I not told you of my plan, you would be in tears tomorrow. Prepare to be shocked," Ophelia said, eager to do her best at dying.

"I do not like that you find joy in possibly being poisoned. You must find other ways of amusing yourself. We should let someone else pretend to be poisoned," Dante suggested.

"No. I want to do it to impress you."

"Impress? Of course, my wife sitting with her evil mother, who wants to harm her and acting like she is poisoned is a way to impress me. I suppose I must get used to your antics," Dante sighed.

Ophelia nodded. "Indeed, you must. Your life would be quite boring without me."

"Is that so? After all that you found out about me, you think my life was boring?"

"That only happens to you when there is a full moon. I make every day exciting," Ophelia explained.

"I cannot argue with you there," Dante responded. "Did you get what you needed?"

"I got all that I needed in the capital, so there is no need to spend more money. I am letting Theo get what he wants, and I have decided to find Thomas a gift. I find him to be quite cute," Ophelia said, looking back at where Thomas stood with Theo.

Ophelia had been abandoned by both.

"Maybe if you squint," Dante said, following Ophelia. "You have money to spend."

"You shouldn’t spend money simply because you have it. Then you might run out of it. I am satisfied with what I have. I don’t wish to buy anything. Well, other than food," Ophelia said, looking around for the scent drawing her in. "You must always buy food."

"I am surprised you didn’t pry into my talk with Eliza and your mother. I told your mother something you might want to hear. I spoke of seducing you so I can control you to keep her in the dungeon longer. It would be her worst nightmare," Ophelia said.

"Seduce? When am I going to be seduced?" Dante asked, interested in the plot.

"Lord Hastings!" Giselle’s voice spoiled the moment.

Ophelia bit her lip, trying not to let her laughter be heard as she witnessed Dante’s defeated expression.

"Do you see now why I need a break from her? I will leave this one to you," Ophelia said, patting Dante’s chest out of pity.

Ophelia walked away before Giselle got to her.

"Ophelia, dear. Never mind her, I want to speak to you. Was I interrupting you two?" Giselle asked, but she didn’t care.

Dante pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, you weren’t. What do you want to say?"

"Well, I noticed that Ophelia wasn’t joining us in buying what she needed. There are a few concerns I have. You see, after our talk, I thought of how I should try to be friendly with Ophelia," Giselle shared.

"You should try to be a mother."

"It’s a bit too late for that. I will not overstep when I know Ophelia will never think of me as her mother. I do have some concerns that I want to bring to your attention. I have overheard others questioning when you will have a child. Do you not think it is time to put forth some effort?" Giselle inquired and took a step back as Dante turned to her.

"I have no bad intentions in bringing this to you. I worry about Ophelia. The world is harsh to a woman. Many are waiting for news of you two having a child for there to truly be a truce. If it is that you two struggle with attraction, I have a solution," said Giselle.

Giselle continued, "A gown which should help to-"

"I don’t want to speak of this with you. As my wife has told you, the matter of children is between us. I thank you for your concern, but you must set your attention elsewhere. Is that all?"

"Lord Hastings, you might be free from judgment, but your wife is not. I know that Ophelia once claimed she doesn’t want to be a mother to end up like me, but she has her duties. I don’t want her to face the harsh words of the town."

"Do you? I think you set her up quite well for a cruel world. After our last talk, I thought you would be wise to distance yourself from me for a day or two. Nothing you do or say now will make me forget what you did to her in the past," said Dante.

Dante believed there was chatter about when he would have a child, but he was certain Giselle would twist it to her liking.

Dante didn’t have trouble with intimacy when it came to Ophelia. He lacked an undisturbed moment with her. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Before we ruin their outing with our talk, I will walk away. Good day," Dante said, parting from Giselle.