Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 211: Prisoner (3)

Dante dropped his sword and ran off towards Giselle’s bedchamber to find Ophelia. He knew Ophelia had to speak with Theo, but she didn’t say it would be before they all sat together.

Dante paid no attention to Ophelia ordering Giselle to be taken to the dungeon and changing their plans. He would protect Ophelia against the accusations that she falsely imprisoned Giselle.

Dante gritted his teeth, feeling even more frustrated that he soon needed to leave the castle. This was not the state he wanted to leave Ophelia in. He wanted Theo to tell Ophelia the truth, but at the same time, Dante disliked the timing of it all.

Behind Dante, Alice tried to keep up with him, but fell behind.

Dante could not wait for Alice as he needed to see Ophelia right away.

It didn’t feel long before Dante reached the chamber and opened the door. He walked into the chamber and found Thomas standing with his back turned to Ophelia, while she stood still.

Dante motioned for Thomas to quietly leave the chamber as he approached Ophelia to embrace her.

"It’s me," Dante said before Ophelia stepped out of his arms. "It is only me here now."

Dante felt Ophelia relax in his arms.

If what she needed was only for someone to comfort her, then Dante could be silent and do just that.

Silence fell upon the bedchamber.

Dante gave Ophelia the time she needed to accept what Theo might have told her, and to explain what led her to punish Giselle now.

Ophelia stood still, going over what Theo told her. Despite how many times she repeated it in her head, she couldn’t wrap her mind around losing her little brother soon.

"I always suspected that he was unhappy. No matter what I did for him, I couldn’t make him healthy. I know being stuck in bed is no way to live, but I thought that with all I did for him, he would find happiness," Ophelia said, disappointed she did not get her wish.

"I should have taken him away from the castle sooner-"

"This isn’t your fault. You did your best with the cards dealt to you. You did well with your brother. Far better than anyone else could have," Dante said, wishing Ophelia wouldn’t blame herself. It would only lead to Ophelia being depressed.

Ophelia slowly shook her head as she blamed herself for part of Theo’s unhappiness. "I knew the castle didn’t suit him, and I suspected he was having thoughts of wanting to die, but because I was so afraid to face it, I did not have a talk with him sooner."

"How long has he been building up the courage to speak to me? How long had he wanted to say it, but could not bring himself to? I want to persuade him to find a reason to live. To do it for me, but I know I cannot push my wishes upon him," Ophelia said.

Ophelia didn’t want to lose Theo because she couldn’t imagine a life without him, but she couldn’t force what she wanted onto him.

"What do I do?" Ophelia wondered.

For the first time in her life, Ophelia didn’t have the slightest clue what to do about Theo.

"I can’t promise him that he will get better soon. Each doctor he has seen has all given him empty promises. Should I show him around the castle to make him want to stay here, or take him around the town? Should I tell him about what he could look forward to?" Ophelia rambled.

None of her ideas felt right.

Ophelia believed that Theo would be upset with her if she went to him with any of these plans.

"We must leave it to Theo. He appeared to have his mind made up when I spoke to him," said Dante.

Ophelia turned around after hearing that Dante knew about Theo wanting to die. "When did you speak to him, and why didn’t you tell me?"

Ophelia would have expected Dante to tell her sooner.

"It was the night of the attack. When I returned from capturing my mother, I was told Theo wanted to speak to me. I went, and he shared his desire to die. He didn’t want me to be the one to tell you. He wanted to tell you. I apologise for keeping it from you," Dante said, expecting Ophelia to lash out.

"You had to hide that all this time," Ophelia muttered, thinking of the position Dante was placed in.

Ophelia was angry that Dante had not told her what Theo spoke of to him, but at the same time, she thought about the burden Dante carried in having to keep this from her.

"I asked that he tell you the truth after he snapped at you yesterday. I want him to live for your sake and because I have come to like him, but it is his life. If you approach him in the wrong manner, you might push him away from you in his final moments," said Dante.

"I know this will not be easy to hear, but Theo giving you the chance to prepare for this loss is a kindness you should be grateful for. Many people in his position who yearn to die do it in secret, and their loved ones must stumble upon them. You have time to create moments with him," Dante said, hopeful Ophelia would see the positive side.

Spending time arguing or looking for ways to get Theo to change his mind might take away time which could have been used enjoying Theo’s last moments.

Dante didn’t know Theo as well as Ophelia did, but he believed Theo had his mind made up. It was best to accept it, though it might be hard, and enjoy the time they had with Theo now.

"Be at his side. It will be hard, but I urge you not waste the chance given to you. You will regret it if you do not spend these moments by his side," Dante said, and soon after, he felt something drip onto his hands where he held Ophelia. "I will be here for as long as you need me. Then, we can go to him together."

Silence fell back onto the chamber as Ophelia let out her cries now.