Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 33: The ball (1)

Ophelia’s carriage ride with Dante was quiet, just as she wanted. She kept her gaze outside the carriage, not wanting to lock eyes with Dante.

The times Ophelia made the mistake of looking away from the window, Dante’s eyes were closed, but he was not sleeping.

Ophelia learned he was not sleeping when Dante opened his eyes in time to catch her staring at him. He didn’t say a word as Ophelia quickly turned away from him.

Unlike her travels with Cecilia, Ophelia was fed at the same time Dante received his food. He handed her food like a farmer filling up an animal he intended to slaughter.

Whatever the reason was, Ophelia accepted the food and ate all of it.

By the time the carriages arrived at the palace, Ophelia was in deep slumber. Dante thought of carrying her inside, but since she never reacted well to his touch, he woke her.

Ophelia rubbed her eyes.

After a long trip, Ophelia and Dante arrived on the day of the ball. They only had a few hours to settle in before they would have to get dressed for the king’s ball, meant to honour their new union.

Dante offered his hand to Ophelia when she stood to exit the carriage.

"What are you doing?" Ophelia questioned, stumped as to why Dante was acting like a gentleman.

"Playing my role. There are many eyes on us now. We must give them reason to believe our marriage is strong. So, allow me to help you down," Dante said, his hand still waiting for Ophelia.

Ophelia hesitantly placed her hand on Dante’s and stepped out of the carriage. She frowned when he still held her hand and lifted it for a kiss.

Dante was taking their act a little too far, and his smile when he was done annoyed Ophelia.

There was no doubt in Ophelia’s mind that Dante was enjoying himself.

"Kiss my hand again, and you’ll taste it," Ophelia warned Dante.

"It’s not good for a wife to punch her husband in the mouth," Dante said, his smile yet to fall.

Dante held onto Ophelia’s hand, despite how much she hated it.

Though Ophelia couldn’t see it, Dante knew there was someone with great power watching their every move.

"The servants and knights will take down our trunks. After a long journey, you will want to rest. Lay your head on my shoulder," said Dante.

Ophelia did as Dante wanted, though she found it uncomfortable.

As soon as Ophelia did so, a woman came forward.

"Greetings, Lord and Lady Hastings. The queen has sent me to welcome you to the palace. The queen would like to be introduced to Lady Hastings before tonight’s ball."

"Miss Sarah," Dante greeted the queen’s most trusted lady-in-waiting. "My wife would like to meet the queen, but I am afraid the long journey has left her tired. Introductions will have to wait for the ball. Please offer my apologies to the queen."

"It would only take a moment," Sarah pushed for Ophelia to come along.

"Indeed, it would, but my wife shall have her rest. Step out of the way before you are moved," Dante said, his piercing gaze towering down on Sarah.

Sarah stepped to the side and said, "A maid will show you to your shared chamber."

Dante walked by Sarah with his hand still holding onto Ophelia’s. He followed the maid picked to escort them. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Is it right for you to go against the queen’s order? We could have gone together," said Ophelia.

"Why bother ourselves with attending when we could avoid her? The request for you to meet her after a long journey was improper on her end, and she knows it. The queen may appear innocent, but she is far from it. You need to rest to be ready for what is to come tonight," Dante said, trying to protect Ophelia.

Ophelia hoped Dante knew what he was doing to go against the queen’s wishes. Should the queen feel wronged, Ophelia expected that the queen wouldn’t lash out at Dante, but at her.

"Wait," Ophelia frowned, only now realising what the maid said. "To our chamber? We must share a chamber?"

"Why would a married couple be separated? You must endure it for the time that we are here. It shouldn’t be hard to keep your hands to yourself," Dante teasingly said.

"You!" Ophelia exclaimed, and got the attention of the maid walking ahead of them.

Ophelia smiled to ease the maid’s concern. She stayed quiet until they reached the chamber and the door was opened.

"That will be all. Escort my servants to my chamber so I can have my trunks and see my entourage to their chambers," said Dante.

The maid curtsied and left the chamber.

The second the door closed, Ophelia tried to walk away from Dante, but he kept his hold on her hand.

"Is there someone spying on us when the doors are closed? Can’t you free my hand?" Ophelia asked, trying to pull her hand away.

Dante released Ophelia’s hand and said, "Sometimes the paintings might have eyes watching us."

Ophelia tensed up. "What do you mean?"

Ophelia watched as Dante walked around the chamber, seemingly inspecting it for danger. He took down all the paintings as he went around.

"Are there secret rooms in the palace?" Ophelia wondered.

Joel had similar spaces in his castle so he could walk around without being seen.

"There are many secret passages. Some have died from entering the passages and not knowing how to get out. Don’t eat the welcome food," Dante said, stopping Ophelia before she picked up a grape on the table. "I will send my knights to find us food."

Ophelia backed away from the basket of fruits. "So, we have walked into one giant trap. When you are done, we have something pressing to speak on."

"What is it?"

"Where will we sleep? I meant it when I said that I won’t lie with you, so what are we to do about the bed?"

"I shall lie on the bed and have a good night’s rest. If you find it to be uncomfortable and want to sleep on the floor, then I will not get in your way," said Dante.

"Wouldn’t it be the gentlemanly thing to do by offering to sleep elsewhere, and I take the bed?" Ophelia asked, hoping to sway Dante.

"It would be, wouldn’t it? I am not going to touch or pounce on you in the middle of the night if that is what you think. As long as you can also keep your hands to yourself, there shouldn’t be any issues with us sharing a large bed," Dante said, unwilling to compromise.

"I will take the floor," Ophelia decided.

"Good. If an intruder comes in, they should stumble over you and alert me."