Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 32: Plans (2)

Nora ran to be at Victoria’s side. "What happened?" She whispered.

"The next time I try to approach Ophelia to comfort her, please stop me. She is better off by herself. To boldly accuse me when I could have been her only friend. She deserves to suffer alone," Victoria said as she watched Ophelia walk away. "Come, I must prepare for the palace."

Nora glared at the back of Ophelia’s retreating frame before following Victoria. She knew Ophelia was bound to regret how she treated Victoria once they arrived at the palace.

Many were fond of Victoria, and Ophelia was turning out to be someone who would be easily forgotten.

Nora looked forward to the day they would have to set out for the palace, and that day quickly came.

Ophelia was led down to the castle doors, where carriages and knights on horses awaited her.

"The first carriage belongs to you. You’ll be riding alone," Alice informed Ophelia.

"Which carriage is my husband taking?" Ophelia questioned, inspecting the four carriages.

"It is the black one, but Lord Hastings prefers to ride alone," Alice said and followed Ophelia as she walked to the black carriage. "Lady Hastings."

"You are dismissed until I get to the palace. I shall sit with my husband," Ophelia said, walking by the knight guarding the black carriage to open the door by herself.

Ophelia entered Dante’s carriage and sat down.

Since Dante was claiming that she would not be hurt anymore, Ophelia wanted to sit with him, despite how awkward it would be, to see if he would keep his word.

Alice looked around, furious that Ophelia had taken Victoria’s seat. Everyone knew that Victoria would ride with Lord Hastings.

Dante and Victoria came out of the carriage at the same time.

"We haven’t had the chance to speak in a few days. Since your mother left, you haven’t come down to dinner. Are you unwell, or is there something that I did?" Victoria asked, trying to make the most of her time alone with Dante.

"I didn’t feel like coming down for dinner. You should go to your carriage since we are about to depart," said Dante.

"Am I not riding with you?" Victoria asked, crossing her fingers. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"My wife will sit with me. You will have the privacy of your own carriage with your maid. We are to rid the town of the idea that we are lovers, so we must distance ourselves. Is that not what you agreed to so you may stay?" Dante asked, reminding Victoria of their deal.

Victoria remained silent as Dante walked away from her. She was starting to get the feeling that Dante’s interest in Ophelia wasn’t some grand plan.

As Dante walked up to his carriage, a knight opened the door for him. He wasn’t surprised to find that Ophelia was already seated inside the carriage.

"Did placing your chamber next to mine grow a place for me in your heart?" Dante inquired.

"You wish. You said that no harm would befall me, and since my last trip with your family wasn’t pleasant, I will stay near you to see if you will keep your word," Ophelia explained.

"Has anyone hurt you since my promise?"

"No, but they have been quite rude. You should get rid of the head maid now since she acts solely in the interest of your mother. My maid appears to be more interested in serving Miss Victoria, so please, grant her wish," said Ophelia.

Ophelia didn’t mind not having someone to tend to her.

"Didn’t I speak of getting rid of Edith, but you wanted to punish her?" Dante asked.

"I dealt with her enough, and I am not one to find much enjoyment in ordering around anyone. If you wish to keep your castle in your control, hire a head maid who will do what is best for you. You don’t need to listen to me," Ophelia said, turning her attention to the knights outside.

"My mother was the one to hire Edith since I was away from my land to oversee the war, and I was frequently called to the palace. There are many servants I had to get rid of alongside Edith. When we return, there will be no more."

Ophelia glanced at Dante. It used odd words to speak of firing Edith.

"When we enter the palace, you will need to stay at my side. That means no running off to be with ladies who invite you to speak, or going alone to be with your family. You must stay at my side since the palace is dangerous," said Dante.

"Since I don’t know anyone, why would I leave your side?" Ophelia replied, already planning to stay with Dante.

Ophelia also wanted Dante to always be at her side since it would keep her family quiet when they crossed paths.

"You must be most careful when it comes to the king and queen. The queen’s flaw is that she goes along with all that the king wants, so she might lead you into a trap. The king is a bit of a whore," Dante said, followed by laughter from Ophelia.

Ophelia covered her mouth with her hand and tried to stop her laughter. "Forgive me. I have never heard of anyone speaking of the king in that manner. It was unexpected, especially from a lord. I am sorry."

"Have your laugh now, but be serious when we get there. It doesn’t matter that you are married to a lord. He will try to get near you if you pique his interest. I will protect you, but I also need you not to wander off," said Dante.

"I will not wander off. I don’t wander in your castle. I will be at your side so much that it bothers you, and I have this," Ophelia said, taking a knife from her dress.

Dante wasn’t impressed by the small knife. "You stole the knife from your dinner?"

"No, I borrowed it, and since I am Lady Hastings, it is mine, so I can’t steal it," Ophelia said, placing the knife back in its hiding place.

Dante smiled. "Do you know how to take someone’s life? Could you do it?"

"If I am pushed into a life and death moment, I shall defend myself to the end. I can do it, but I won’t need to since you are to be at my side. I will do all that you ask of me while we are in the palace. In return, keep your promise to never leave my side when we see my family," Ophelia requested.

"I promise."

Dante gave the knights the command to start moving. In two days, they would arrive at the palace.