Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 233: Final moments (3)
Upon returning to the castle, Dante helped Ophelia out of the carriage.
"I am going to spend the rest of the day with Theo. I haven’t been at his side enough since he told me the news, so it’s about time I make it up to him. It seems your supplies are starting to be packed," Ophelia said, watching as wooden crates of food and weapons were placed on carts. "You will need to make sure you have all you need."
"We shall meet at dinner," Ophelia arranged.
"Very well," Dante agreed.
Ophelia left Dante’s side to return to Theo. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
On her walk to Theo, Ophelia crossed paths with Alice.
"Lady Hastings," Alice greeted Ophelia with a curtsy. "I promise I haven’t been away from your brother for long. He sent me out of his bedchamber, so I was wandering nearby should he need me."
"I understand. Did anything worth mentioning happen in my absence?"
"I believe Lady Valthorn has been asking to speak to you. I wasn’t told it was what she wanted, but I did overhear it from the guards who work in the dungeon. Miss Lowe has finally left the castle," Alice shared.
"She will need to focus on putting her childhood home back in order so we won’t be seeing much of her for a while. You can relax now and stop thinking she will steal my husband from me," Ophelia said and chuckled when Alice took a deep breath. "You amuse me quite often, Alice."
"I worry for your sake. I have been enjoying my place as Lady Hastings’ maid. If there is trouble and you lose your place in the castle, I worry about what would become of me. I would hate for Nora to have a position over me," Alice explained.
"Alice, you can just admit that you care for me. I care for you as well. You don’t like thinking my place is threatened. There," Ophelia said it for Alice.
"Your place?" Alice scoffed. "I am thinking about myself."
"I shall let you think that way. Has the head maid followed my orders to instruct the maids on what to do if the castle is being attacked?"
"She has, and you have succeeded in scaring everyone. There is a lot of worry since Lord Hastings is leaving the castle. Now everyone thinks there is a war, and some want to go to their families," Alice shared.
"They are allowed to leave to be with their loved ones. I will welcome them back once it all settles. If that is all, I want to be alone with my brother. No one is to disturb me," Ophelia ordered Alice.
"Lady Hastings," Alice said, and immediately regretted stopping Ophelia.
"Yes?"
"There is something which has been burning my mind. You see, after what I witnessed dressing you, I have wondered if you would consider changing your night dresses. You know, to something more exciting," Alice said and bit her tongue.
"I’m afraid I don’t understand, Alice. In the midst of all that I face, your concern is with what I wear at night? Why would it- Oh," Ophelia said as the realisation struck her. "You are speaking of that. Do you think I cannot seduce my husband with a simple dress? I did nothing and made him fall in love with me."
"I wouldn’t be foolish to think you cannot seduce him, but even though I am only a maid, I know there are finer night gowns ladies like yourself wear at night for their husbands," Alice whispered, not wanting to start rumours.
"Alice, I rarely think of dressing for my husband, and I don’t see the point of wearing pretty night gowns if they come off before it all starts. It is a waste of money, and what goes on between my husband and me at night shouldn’t be any of your concern," said Ophelia.
Alice tapped Ophelia’s hand to scold her and gasped since she had lost her mind. "Forgive me," she bowed her head. "Lord Hastings seems to be going back out to war, so I thought it would be a good time for you to dress up as a good send-off. Even if it is to get dressed for dinner."
"When the knights and Lord Hastings leave, it is sad. I was thinking for your sake and Lord Hastings, it would be better if you enjoy yourselves before you part ways," Alice suggested.
"It would have been best if you had started with the suggestions of everyone getting dressed for dinner. I can do that for Dante, and I will inform my brother. You will need to try your hardest to find me a good dress since all my dresses are simple. I wish you well," Ophelia said, patting Alice’s hand.
"I must do it alone?" Alice asked, not liking that it was all on her.
"Yes, and you must prepare clothes for my husband as a surprise. I am counting on you to plan it all, Alice. I know that you can do well," Ophelia said, leaving Alice to suffer alone.
Ophelia smiled as she knew it wouldn’t be long before Alice panicked and came running to her for help. She continued on her way to Theo and knocked on his door.
"It’s me," Ophelia said as she opened the door. "Am I disturbing you?’
Theo was busy looking out the window.
"No," Theo replied, looking away from the window. "You seem to be in a good mood. Did our mother die?"
"No. She is still in the dungeon. I am in a good mood because Alice is planning a night for us all to get dressed up. You know Dante will be leaving the castle soon, so we should have some fun before then," Ophelia said as she entered the chamber.
"Your husband is leaving for war, and she thinks you will want to get dolled up? What a silly idea. You should be focused on keeping the castle guarded instead of dressing up. Alice has the strangest ideas. You might want a second maid," Theo suggested and expected Ophelia to laugh with him.
Ophelia frowned. "I happen to like her idea. We’ve spent days worrying about him leaving and having to protect the castle. Why not have a little fun before he goes?"
Theo realised his mistake. "You’ll have to forgive me. It’s just that getting dressed up doesn’t seem like something you would enjoy."
"It’s not, but if it can lighten the mood, why not? Not only would it be good for us, but it would end the servants and knights worries. I look forward to it," said Ophelia.
"It is unlike you."
"It is. Perhaps my time in the castle is changing me. You have your desires, and I have mine," Ophelia said, needing Theo to accept her change.
