Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 42: Meeting with enemies (1)

In the early hours of the morning, Joel was the first of the guests to meet with the king.

"Your Majesty. This humble servant greets you," Joel said, bowing his head. "I brought you wine I have been storing for seven years," he said, revealing the bottle.

It was no secret that the king was a man who liked to drink.

Edward motioned for one of his advisors to take the bottle from Joel.

"There is never a visit where you come without something good. This is why I keep inviting you," Edward laughed, motioning for Joel to come forward.

"You are too kind. Has Lord Hastings come to greet you? His presence was missed this morning," Joel said, his intentions known only to the king.

Edward rubbed his beard. "I not long ago sent a servant to check on Lord Hastings and his wife. It was rude of them not to join you for the feast I prepared."

"Indeed. I met with the others before I came, and they are curious if this long war has finally come to an end," Joel said, awaiting good news from the events of last night.

"Tell them to be calm until my servants return with news. Hold your excitement, Joel. Among our peers, you should be happy with the truce. Tell me, why did you keep Ophelia from the palace?" Edward asked, unable to forget the young woman.

"She’s the daughter my wife had from a marriage before she wed me. There was nothing to show, or I would have been embarrassed. Ophelia has perfected her act now that she is married to Lord Hastings," Joel shared.

"Still, you should have introduced me to her. I was always confused as to why you never had a child with your second wife, but now I see you had too many children on your hands," said Edward.

"I have three children, and Giselle came to me with two of her own. The youngest is sick, so there was some concern that Giselle would give me another sick boy. At that time, I didn’t need a wife to give me more children, but rather, to raise mine, and she has done so," Joel explained.

"You could have taken another woman to your side and have one more son. You need spares just as I have done. I am thinking of having another child, but I have not chosen the woman who will enter the palace. How kind are you?" Edward asked, having some use for Joel again.

"I am always at your service, Your Majesty," said Joel.

"What will you do with your daughter when the truce settles?" Edward asked, being careful with his words.

"I will not have any use for her. I was hoping to send her somewhere far away. I am too old to be setting her right, and my wife agrees. If you have an idea of what to do with her, I am all ears," Joel said, but he knew well what Edward wanted.

Joel had many times helped Edward bring women into the palace. They either became his official mistress or died the very night to keep it a secret.

"I should take her off your hands. I enjoy teaching young women how to behave. It would benefit your family if she were to provide me with a child. Don’t push for her to share a child with her husband," Edward said, since the child would need to die. "I am counting on you."

"As you wish, Your Majesty. She will belong to you when this is over. That is, if Ophelia is still well. Should I go to Lord Hastings’ chamber to see if they are well? I can go with the intention of speaking to Ophelia. I do need to have a word with her," said Joel.

"No, you must stay away. If there is a mess, I don’t want you anywhere near it," said Edward.

Edward quickly grew annoyed with Joel being too impatient.

"Forgive me," Joel apologised.

"You must be patient, Joel. Good things come to those who wait. Your first daughter is of age to marry. Why don’t you let her be introduced to one of the princes? I’m sure one of my boys is ready to marry this season," Edward said, uncertain.

Edward had many children whom he could not keep up with. He left it to the palace servants to bring him only important news about these children. The only one of his children to matter was the crown prince, but even then, Edward had no time for him.

"Freya would be delighted to be introduced to a prince. I think the third prince would suit her best, don’t you think? He isn’t your first choice should something happen to the crown prince, and it would settle his mother," Joel said. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"It would. My days can never be calm when my women argue. I will have it arranged before you leave the palace. If you are lucky, there will be a royal wedding between our children and even more good news to come soon. I am thinking of keeping Nigel close."

Joel fought the urge to smile. "There is plenty my son has to learn from you. I am having him train so he can take my place one day. Nigel is eager to serve you."

"You must have him marry soon to strengthen your ties. The more houses in your corner, the better it is for you. I- He is alive," Edward said, his gaze going to Dante, who strode into the throne room. "Lord Hastings," Edward greeted Dante.

Joel frowned. He took the silence as Dante was injured, yet the young lord entered the throne room as though nothing had happened to him.

The men had already gathered for a drink after their morning feast, only to be disappointed.

"Lord Hastings," Joel turned to Dante and forced a smile. "You are rather late. Did you not remember that we were to meet with the king to speak of the truce?"

"You’ll have to forgive me. I am a newlywed after all. It is not easy to part from my beloved. I have you to thank," Dante said, patting Joel’s back purposely to piss him off. "My wife found it hard to leave my side after we were almost attacked."

"Your Majesty, I hope you don’t mind that I made a mess of the chamber you offered us. For the next few days, my wife and I will reside in our home and frequent the palace from there. I hope you will do the honour of looking into who tried to kill us," Dante requested.

"I will have my best man look into it," Edward promised.

"Wonderful. Lord Valthorn, I heard you and other men gathered in the morning. Anything I missed?" Dante asked, enjoying the vein on Joel’s forehead that was quite evident.

"No, we must speak of the truce," Joel said, his teeth gritting.

Now wasn’t the time to lash out.

Edward cleared his throat. "We must start."