Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 30: Changes (2)

Victoria stayed by Cecilia’s side until it was time for her to depart. Victoria waved goodbye and wore a smile, but it was with a heavy heart that she sent Cecilia off.

Though Cecilia’s actions as of late were not right, Victoria always found comfort in sitting beside Cecilia. Cecilia was like a second mother to Victoria, so it stung to see her leave.

"Where is Lord Hastings?" Victoria questioned Nora, who stood to her right.

"He must be in his chamber to have his bath before dinner," said Nora.

"I must see him," Victoria decided.

Victoria needed Dante to explain his plans to her.

Why was he so adamant about sending both her and his mother away when he knew the dangers?

Why was he being so kind to his enemy?

Dante had good enough reason not to trust anyone from the Valthorn family.

’Why is he keeping her so close?’ Victoria wondered.

Ophelia might find some comfort living in the mansion Dante once wanted to send Victoria to. There, Ophelia would be alone, and she wouldn’t be near to learn any of the Hastings secrets, nor would she be troubled by Cecilia.

Victoria hastily made her way to Dante’s chamber, but the odd sight of the maids carrying water to the chamber beside Dante’s made her slow down.

"You there!" Victoria stopped a passing maid. "Why are you taking water to that chamber? Is Lord Hastings residing there for the night?"

Alice smiled, thinking herself fortunate that Victoria was speaking to her. "No, Miss Victoria. His wife now resides in the chamber next door. The head maid asked that we prepare her bath."

"Ophelia will be there," Victoria said in disbelief.

Of all the years Victoria visited the castle, she was never given the chamber beside Dante’s.

Victoria forced a smile. "I see. Carry on with your work."

"Are you in need of help, Miss Victoria? I am willing to help you once I am done serving Lady Hastings," Alice offered, taking the chance to get on Victoria’s good side.

"You, are you Lady Hastings’ maid?" Victoria asked, having some use for the maid before her. "I believe your name is Alice."

Alice smiled from ear to ear. "It warms me to know that you remember my name. Yes, I am the lady’s maid. Her only maid at the moment."

"I see. If it won’t trouble you, when your work is finished, come see me," Victoria said, slipping a ring from her finger to place on the palm of Alice’s hand.

Alice caged the ring in her hand, not wanting to let it go. "I will do whatever you need, Miss Victoria."

"I’m sure you are a wise woman to keep this between us. As far as anyone is concerned, I was never here," Victoria said, discarding her plans to see Dante now.

"I spoke to no one," Alice curtly replied.

Victoria walked away before she could be spotted near Dante’s door.

"I am confused. Weren’t you going to see Lord Hastings? What does her chamber being there change?" Nora asked, still seeing Victoria as the one who held a place in Dante’s heart.

"Everything. Now isn’t the best time to speak with him. I will approach him another time when it is safe for me. If I am lucky, it will only be the two of us at dinner. I want you to go to the garden and pick flowers for me to send to Cecilia," said Victoria.

"Are you going to send a letter to Lady Cecilia about Ophelia switching chambers?"

"No, that is not needed. Dante will not bed her because he doesn’t want a child, and I am confident he doesn’t have any interest in her. He is planning something, and I must trust him. My focus must remain on my uncle and the gatherings I have to attend," Victoria said, but she had an unsettling feeling.

Inside Ophelia’s chamber, she watched as the maids poured warm water for her bath. It was long overdue for Ophelia to be able to clean herself.

Alice stood at the front of the maids and said, "We must undress you now."

"No, you may leave. I can undress and bathe myself. I won’t need any help dressing myself either. You may wait outside, and I will call for you when I am done," said Ophelia.

Alice was happy not to have to work hard, and being asked to step outside meant she could go see Victoria and come back in time to serve Ophelia her dinner.

"As you wish," Alice said with a curtsy.

Ophelia thought Alice was acting strangely. It was usual for Alice to like escaping work, but she appeared happier than usual.

Ophelia shook her head, leaving her thoughts about Alice for another time. All she wanted now was to enjoy the warm water before it would turn cold.

Ophelia undressed herself and enjoyed a long bath. Once the water got cold, she stepped out and dressed herself. She called for the maids to enter, and when they did, she took notice of Alice’s absence.

Once the water was carried out and the chamber tidied, Ophelia decided to go to the balcony to enjoy the view. To her dismay, Dante was seated on the balcony which belonged to his chamber.

Ophelia tiptoed, wanting to quietly go back inside.

"You are still too loud."

Ophelia frowned.

How could he have heard her?

Ophelia stopped her escape and faced Dante. "I didn’t know you were out here. I wouldn’t have come out if I knew."

"Your attempt to sneak back inside gave that away. I won’t be here long," Dante said, his gaze fixed on the training ground in the distance. "You may stay." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Ophelia watched as Dante placed a cigar to his lips, took a long drag, and released the smoke into the air.

The smoke travelled to where Ophelia stood and made her cough.

"My apologies," Dante apologised and stopped smoking for a moment. "I am done here."

"Must you do this every evening? I would like to know so I can avoid the scent," Ophelia said, swatting away the scent.

"If I am to keep my sanity, I must. Or, would you prefer to see me ill?"

"What is it with you men and acting like you need alcohol and cigars to survive? Cling to it if you wish, but since you placed me here, please smoke before dinner. I won’t come out here until after I have eaten. That way, we can avoid each other," Ophelia suggested.

Dante stood up and faced Ophelia.

Now that he faced Ophelia, she noticed his bad attire, but she didn’t look away.

For a man who took part in many fights, it puzzled Ophelia that there weren’t any scars on his body.

Was Dante so skilled that no one touched him, or was it that the doctor was so skilled that her medicine made scars vanish?