Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 38: The ball (6)

Ophelia put on a brave face and acted as though nothing had happened when they joined the crowd. She smiled at people she didn’t know, all because they were staring and whispering.

Ophelia clung to Dante since, in that moment, it felt to be the safest thing she could do to protect herself from the people around her.

Without having to see them, Ophelia knew that her family was staring at her. Aside from Nigel and Joel, Ophelia had to avoid Freya the most since Freya was likely jealous that she was not the one with all the attention.

’She should have married him,’ Ophelia thought.

This was the one time Ophelia wished that Freya had got what she wanted.

"Do I have to sit with the queen tomorrow without you?" Ophelia whispered. She became tired of the silence that fell upon them.

"You may. I cannot avoid speaking about the truce. I will place a guard at your side, and Victoria will be present. Be careful of what you say and what you eat. There are far too many incidents here," said Dante.

Ophelia didn’t find any comfort in knowing that Victoria would be present.

"As for my guard, can I have anyone besides the one who put me in the dungeon? It is quite apparent that he hates me, so I don’t trust my life in his hands. I don’t mind anyone else who hates me as long as they protect me," said Ophelia.

"Rick made a foolish mistake, but besides me, he is the best at guarding you. He’s fought with many of the king’s men and killed many of Joel’s men. Are you sure?" Dante asked, giving her the chance to reconsider.

"I will take a man weaker than him. What you said just added to my worries. I am dead if he turns his sword toward me. You two must be close, but for me, he is a danger. He didn’t hide his feelings, so please, pick someone else," Ophelia requested.

"Very well," Dante agreed with Ophelia’s wishes. "Your maid will also be present."

"Oh, not her. She is closer to Miss Victoria. I suggest you let her serve Victoria. When we return to the castle, may I choose my own maid?"

"You may. You’ll need to give me a list of the people you are not fond of so I can keep them away from you. It is starting to feel like I need to make the order that no one in the castle crosses paths with you," Dante said jokingly.

"You wouldn’t need to go so far. I have witnessed maids who come with the head maid keep their heads down as they do their work. Not everyone wants to be caught up in bad deeds. They only want to make their earnings and be on their way. You were right that I should walk around," said Ophelia.

There was much Ophelia got to see in the castle.

"I’m sorry, I did not hear you. What did you say?" Dante asked, leaning close to Ophelia.

Ophelia rolled her eyes. "I will not repeat it. There is some beauty to your castle. It is quite grand, which is part of why Joel hates you. I do believe there was once he made us, the servants, I mean," Ophelia corrected herself. "Decorate the castle as he heard your castle was decorated."

"It is as I expected. Do you think if I start a rumour that my castle is covered in bushes, he would do the same?" Dante inquired.

"He would send the servants out right away to find rose bushes. He would lose his mind if he were to find out it wasn’t true. If you want to hurt him without having to lift a finger, invite him to your castle. His anger would get the best of him," Ophelia said, causing Dante to laugh.

Ophelia didn’t see why he laughed since she was quite serious.

From a distance, Giselle kept a close eye on Ophelia. This was not what she prepared to walk into tonight.

It was strange to see that Ophelia had become close to Dante.

"See, I told you that Ophelia would change now, but no one believed me. Now she will not spare us a moment to talk. Father, you must speak to her," Freya whined.

"Patience, Freya. You will be invited to sit with the queen tomorrow. You will have a chance to speak to Ophelia then. You and Giselle," Joel said, giving Giselle a look.

Giselle knew what the look meant. He was blaming her for what happened.

Joel awaited seeing Ophelia embarrass herself so Dante would also be embarrassed, but Ophelia surprised all of them.

"All along, your daughter was misbehaving and acting like there wasn’t a drop of sense to her, only for her to act as a lady who had years’ worth of training now. I can’t help feeling now that there was some plot," Joel accused Giselle.

Giselle was tired of the accusations. "If you think I had some part in it, then you must think again. I am just as surprised as you are with what I am witnessing."

"If I could have gotten a moment alone with her without Lord Hastings at her side, then I could find out. But alas, I stand here with you thinking there is a plot," Giselle responded.

Giselle looked away from Joel before she told him what she thought of him now. It was not her fault that Ophelia and Dante had somehow become close.

"Something happened when they were in the castle, since they weren’t so close at the wedding. Lady Cecilia is not here for me to speak to her, but there is one interesting lady here. Lord Hastings brought along the woman rumoured to be his mistress. Freya," Giselle addressed her daughter. "You should have a word with her."

Freya frowned. "Why should I speak to a mistress?"

"Victoria might have tarnished herself with those rumours, but she is still the daughter of a well-known family. She might have some secrets to share with you about Ophelia. What we see now might be a lie," Giselle said, trying her best to convince Freya.

Freya folded her arms and looked at where the happy couple stood. It would feel good to expose what Ophelia’s marriage with Dante was truly like.

"Fine," Freya agreed.

"Don’t do anything that will make our family look bad and give reason for Lord Hastings to blame us. Act in secret and leave no traces of your plans," Joel advised Freya.

"I know, father. Trust me."