Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 23: Conflict (1)

In her chamber, Ophelia looked around at the new furniture which servants had brought inside. They were much better than the furniture she had before, and she was grateful for it, but Ophelia couldn’t help questioning Dante’s intentions.

As if hearing her doubts, there was a knock on the door.

Ophelia didn’t bother to speak since others always barged in, but after time passed, and another knock was heard, she finally spoke.

"Come in."

When the door opened, Dante entered the chamber and looked around. He had to see for himself that the maids did as they were told.

Ophelia stood up from her bed. She knew it was too good to be true.

Ophelia noticed how Dante looked around like he was searching for something. She joined him in looking.

"What are we searching for?" Ophelia asked, wanting to find it fast so Dante would be on his way.

"Nothing. I came to see that your chamber was taken care of and to deliver you some news. In regards to the poisoning, your name is cleared. I shall make it known you didn’t have any parts in Victoria’s state," Dante said, hoping it would provide her some relief.

Dante expected a sign of relief from Ophelia’s end, but it didn’t come. "You are not happy to be found innocent?"

"I knew I was innocent from the start. Why must I be happy now that you have realised it? Besides, you can clear my name all you wish, the servants and certainly your mother won’t believe it. I know how it goes," Ophelia said, prepared for the gossip.

"How? You’ve worked as a maid before?"

"I lived in another castle, and I overheard the maids speaking. I’m certain many of them are loyal to Victoria, so they will not believe the truth. I do not mind it," Ophelia said, uninterested in the matter.

Ophelia knew she couldn’t win here in the Hastings castle.

"I apologise for the pain you have endured whilst in my castle and during your trip here. I learned that my mother made you walk, and it was uncalled for. I know my apologies won’t mean anything to you now," Dante said, since it was too late.

"Now that I am back in the castle, I will shield you from such behaviour. You must hate that I am light with my mother when it comes to punishment."

"No," Ophelia said and shook her head. "She’s your mother. I once made excuses for my mother until I couldn’t anymore. Despite how they behave, when you’re left with them as your only parent, sometimes you ignore the awful things they do."

"It’ll take longer for you to be upset with your mother since she’s hurting me instead of you."

"Has your mother hurt you?" Dante asked, piecing together what Ophelia was trying to say.

"No," Ophelia responded with a smile. "My mother made sure I married a man of great status."

Dante knew Ophelia wasn’t telling the truth, but didn’t think it was his place to question further.

"I’ll keep my mother away from you. I’m not going to bore you with some lie that once this settles, you’ll see her as a good woman. Don’t fall victim to a lie that she has taken a sudden liking to you," Dante warned Ophelia.

"I am not a fool. Be it a day or a year from now, if your mother were to suddenly play nice with me, I would not accept it. I will never forget," said Ophelia.

Ophelia had a list of people who did her wrong, and those names were never coming off.

Ophelia frowned when she noticed Dante’s smile. He tried to hide it by turning his head.

"What is the news you must tell me? Was it all about your mother?" Ophelia asked, still suspicious of why he was present.

"No, it is about a tutor for you. One shall arrive for you in the morning, and you’ll have your lessons in the library. It is the library only I use, so no one will disturb you then," Dante shared.

"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?" Ophelia asked, knowing there was more waiting for her.

There was always something more when men wanted to be kind to her.

"You shared that you weren’t brought up with the same education as other ladies. What else could I possibly want more than for my wife to be educated?" Dante questioned, picking up on a fight coming along.

"There is always a reason with your kind," Ophelia said, referring to men.

Dante scoffed, thinking she was referring to his family. "Well, I want that when we visit the king, I will not be embarrassed by a woman who doesn’t know proper protocol. You are a scandal waiting to happen if you cannot act as a lady."

"I might not have been taught, but I have observed over the years. Acting as a noble on some high horse is not hard. You display your wealth, bow before those who have more wealth than you, be rude to those whom you look done upon, and envy others getting attention."

"Am I far off?" Ophelia asked, having seen enough to know how her visit would go.

"You are wrong. There was something the Valthorns taught you well," said Dante.

"The Valthorns lack manners, but I have also met your mother," Ophelia fired back.

Ophelia hated the Valthorns, but Cecilia wasn’t too far off from Joel.

"I’ll end this now before we both push each other to our limits," Dante said, restraining himself from insulting Ophelia. "You must learn how to say thank you. Not everyone who shows you kindness wants something in return."

"You appeared pleased when I said I wouldn’t fall for your mother’s kindness, and now you are angry that I won’t easily accept your kindness. With all due respect, you are still a stranger to me, and I do not trust you," Ophelia said, reminding Dante of their true courtship.

Ophelia was never fond of men like Dante or Joel. She had been burned too many times to be careless now, all because Dante gave her furniture and a tutor.

"They always give you shiny things before they ask to be paid back," Ophelia softly spoke.

Dante heard what Ophelia said and took notice of her hands.

As confident as Ophelia tried to portray herself, she was still a wounded woman. Dante didn’t want to go down the rabbit hole of the Valthorn’s secrets since he wasn’t willing to share the Hastings’ secrets.

Dante’s anger settled, and he felt he had overstayed his welcome. "A doctor will come to you soon to take a look at your bruises. Aside from the tutor, a dressmaker will come to prepare your dresses for our visit to the palace."

"I want nothing from you," Dante said as he walked toward the door.