Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 24: Conflict (2)

Ophelia stared at where Dante once stood.

Their interactions were growing more and more confusing.

Ophelia understood Dante’s wishes for her to have a tutor, but she was never comfortable with receiving gifts. Ophelia wished she could be more trusting when she was offered gifts, but her past made it hard to do so.

"I must go to the library? Why can’t it be done here?" Ophelia wondered, now realising she would need to leave the tower often.

The tower was quite spacious, and thanks to the new furniture, it didn’t look unfitting for the lady of the castle.

Ophelia wasn’t thrilled about leaving her chamber since the last two times she left had not been pleasant. As long as Ophelia didn’t have to cross paths with Cecilia, it could go well.

Ophelia sat back down on her bed. She wanted to ask more about letters, but knew the moment wasn’t right for it.

’Is Theo well?’ Ophelia wondered, worried the maids would forget the right time to give Theo his medicine.

Ophelia gazed out the window, which was close to her bed.

Despite the troubles Ophelia faced in the castle, she would like to show her brother the view she had now, even if she needed to carry him in her arms.

"Stay well," Ophelia said, hopeful her words could travel to the Valthorn land and comfort her brother.

***

Far away from where Ophelia sat, Giselle was in a hurry to meet with Joel. She hadn’t seen Joel all morning, and after hearing his guests had departed, Giselle thought it was her chance to speak with him.

Giselle entered Joel’s study without knocking, thanks to the door having been left open. "Dear, oh my!" Giselle gasped, taken aback by the mess in the study.

There were broken chairs and papers scattered across the floor.

"Joel," Giselle cried out as she ran to his side. "Are you hurt?"

Giselle approached Joel and examined his hands. "What are we to do if you injure your precious hands?" She asked, trying to soothe his hands by gently rubbing her own against his.

Joel pulled his hands out of Giselle’s hold. "Enough of your nonsense. I have bigger matters to tend to. He killed the men I sent to kill him."

"Who?" Giselle asked, puzzled as to who Joel had to kill.

"Who else but Lord Hastings? I have gotten rid of his father, but that bastard keeps getting in the way of my plans. He has to die, but he escapes every attempt to end his life. He must have a spy here."

Giselle moved on to rubbing Joel’s shoulders. "Your castle is secure. Lord Hastings could never succeed in getting a spy here. You saw the guards he travelled with. You must find a moment when they are not at his side."

"Or, use someone who will be alone with him," Joel said, thinking of Ophelia. "Have you written to her yet?"

Giselle lowered her hands. "I did not see the need to. She should be focused on settling into her new title," she said.

"None of that matters. We must give her a task," Joel plotted.

"I do not think it is wise to send a letter with a plan of killing Lord Hastings."

"You are right, but we shall see her when we visit the palace. Then, we must have a moment alone with her and tell her what to do. Get her to obey," Joel ordered Cecilia.

"Theo is here. Ophelia would never disobey and put her brother in harm’s way. I am surprised she didn’t fight to see him before he left," Giselle said, sensing something was wrong.

Joel lost interest in hearing about Theo. "How much longer are you going to bother yourself with a sick child? You are wasting my money and time that could be used for my children. You said your time would be given to my family." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Have I not given all my time and care to your family? Do I not claim your children as my own? I spent the morning aiding Freya with deciding on what dresses she would wear to the palace and who she should marry. What more must I do?" Giselle asked, angry that Joel still found issues.

Giselle bent to Joel’s will, and still, he was never satisfied.

"I handed you a bride on a silver platter. If I do not care for Theo, then we both know Ophelia would not have listened. As long as we care for him, she will stay as Lady Hastings. It is why I keep him alive," said Giselle.

Giselle didn’t need to hear it from Joel that Theo was a burden. She had been raising two children before she married, and it was quite hard to provide medicine for a sick child.

"I once thought Theo wouldn’t last a winter, but I am blessed that he didn’t, since he is of some use to you. Rather than think of it as wasting money, think of it as aiding your plans. Do you think I do not love you or this family?" Giselle asked, needing him to be satisfied since there was nothing more for her to give.

"You should have done better with Ophelia. Sent her somewhere for her to see what a good life she had here. I’ve never had to raise my hand to my children, but she forced me to beat her. You must pray she doesn’t embarrass me," Joel said, then walked away from Giselle’s reach.

"When I write to her, I will remind her that Theo is within my reach. When this is all over, Ophelia won’t have a reason to return to this castle when she is no longer married to Lord Hastings. She is of age to be on her own," Giselle said in an effort to place Joel in a better mood.

"When this is all over, Ophelia will die. We will need someone to take the fall for my plans, and she is the best choice," Joel revealed.

Giselle wasn’t rattled since she knew sending Ophelia instead of Frey meant that Ophelia was going to die.

It was a sacrifice which kept Giselle up at night when she first heard of Joel picking Ophelia, but after years of taking care of Ophelia, Giselle thought it was time her children made sacrifices for her.

"I tried to make her listen, but she never did. Ophelia’s fate is out of my hands. Now, instead of worrying yourself here about what failed, you must come be measured for what you are to wear to see the king," Giselle said, not wanting to hear of Lord Hastings.

Giselle walked up to Joel and tidied his shirt. "We must make a grand entrance and show off our wealth. You will shine so bright that no one will speak of Lord Hastings. Think of how he will look with Ophelia at his side."

Joel chuckled. "It should be rather amusing," he agreed.