Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 31: Plans (1)
"Is there something your curious mind wants to know?" Dante asked, noticing Ophelia’s stare. "Or, is that you are having indecent thoughts about me? I hope it isn’t the latter."
Ophelia scoffed. "You never have to be concerned about me wanting you. I was waiting for you to leave."
"Liar, liar."
Ophelia didn’t like the way Dante teased her like a little child. "You are insufferable," she said, shifting her body to the left so she wouldn’t have to look at him. "Since you have forgotten, I do not intend to lie with you again. I wouldn’t like to take the risk of having your child."
The corners of Dante’s lips curved into a smile. "I don’t want a child from you, so don’t worry. We do not need to share a bed again. If you are asked about our duties, say that it is going well."
Ophelia thought of their wedding night. "What if I am already pregnant? What would you do then?"
"You are not pregnant."
"How do you know?" Ophelia asked and looked down at her body.
"Because I know you couldn’t possibly be pregnant. This is one time you will have to trust my word," said Dante.
Ophelia didn’t understand why Dante was so confident until her gaze slowly moved downward. "So, it is useless. Thank goodness. Good night," she said, deciding to let Dante have the balcony.
It was Dante’s turn to be concerned. He followed where Ophelia’s gaze once was and realised the misunderstanding.
Dante thought of correcting her, but if Ophelia thought that was the issue, it was better than the truth.
Dante shook his head and chuckled.
Ophelia was the first Valthorn he came across that amused him instead of bothering him.
Dante retreated inside so Ophelia could sneak back out onto the balcony after she received her food.
In the morning, Ophelia was awoken by her maids and taken to meet her tutor. It was a tiring morning of learning how to dance and how to greet others. Before she could rest, Ophelia was whisked off to meet the dressmaker to prepare the dresses she would wear in the palace.
It was an afternoon when Ophelia had the chance to have a break. She decided to retreat to the tower to take a rest.
Behind Ophelia walked Alice and two guards.
"Miss Victoria!"
Alice’s overly cheery call brought Ophelia’s attention to Victoria.
Victoria stopped to the right of Ophelia and curtsied. "Lady Hastings," she greeted. "It is just my luck to cross paths with you. Might I join you on your walk?"
"I was going to the tower to rest. I had a morning filled with lessons. We should walk together another time," said Ophelia.
"I can walk you near the tower. I haven’t gotten the chance to speak with you since I was ill. I heard that you were accused, and I wanted to see that you were well. I know that you didn’t do it," Victoria said.
"Well, thank you. I am curious why I haven’t heard of Lord Hastings punishing anyone or sending them away for what happened to you. Was it all a misunderstanding, or is he protecting the one who did it?" Ophelia wondered.
Victoria kept her smile. "Lord Hastings wouldn’t protect anyone who tried to poison me."
"I see. Perhaps we should walk together, but with our servants at a distance," Ophelia offered.
Nora opened her mouth to argue, but one look from Victoria stopped her.
"I would love that. I don’t want any misunderstandings between us," Victoria said, approaching Ophelia to start their walk.
Ophelia and Victoria walked side by side.
"Are you well now?" Ophelia asked, giving Victoria a look over.
"I am. The castle doctor, Eliza, worked hard to put me back in good health. I don’t believe it was poison, but something else. She wasn’t able to find the source."
Ophelia noticed the servants whispering as she walked by with Victoria.
"Though she is talented, she might not find the cause of it. Should I tell you about my stepsister?" Ophelia asked, feigning excitement in her voice.
"You may," Victoria answered.
"Her name is Freya Valthorn. Freya and I never got along. She would go out of her way to get me in trouble, and there was one time she was so bold as to claim that I broke her arm. When Lord Valthorn heard, he punished me and stuck me in a small, dark space," Ophelia revealed.
Victoria pitied Ophelia. "I did not know you endured such a sad life, but I am surprised this is the story you chose to tell me."
"I wasn’t finished. Eventually, Joel spoke to his daughter again, and she revealed it was all a lie. Freya was never punished, and the matter was forgotten the next day. I could be wrong, but could this be what happened to you?" Ophelia accused Victoria.
Victoria stopped walking. "What are you trying to say? Are you accusing me of harming myself?"
"If I am wrong, then I will apologise. For me, it is a bit strange that no one was found guilty, and this matter is being forgotten. Like what happened with Freya, I will still be seen as guilty. I hope that my arrival didn’t make you feel you need to go to such lengths-"
"Ophelia!" Victoria exclaimed. "You are wrong, therefore you must apologise."
"I think I will wait a little bit more before I apologise. Before there are any more incidents, I want you to know that I don’t want my husband. You can have him, so there is no need to fight me. I want there to be peace, so keep what I said in mind," said Ophelia.
"Here I was trying to walk with you to comfort you and be a friend, only for you to accuse me," Victoria said, regretting that she walked with Ophelia.
"Are you truly helping me? Do you not pay attention to your surroundings? The servants look worried, and I promise you, it is not me they worry about. Since the matter of why you fell ill wasn’t explained, those loyal to you will think it is my doing," Ophelia pointed out.
"Until we know for certain what happened, I would like to keep a little distance. If the culprit is caught, then I shall apologise to you. I hope we can coexist in this castle and not fight over a man. Since you knew him first, you may have him," Ophelia offered Victoria.
"Now, if you would excuse me, I am awfully tired and need to rest. Excuse me," Ophelia bade Victoria goodbye and walked away.
Victoria was left fuming.
