Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 44: Meeting with enemies (3)

"Friends?"

"Why, yes. My husband and Miss Victoria have introduced themselves to me as friends. I did hear of the rumours going around, but that was all a lie, which could have wounded Victoria’s reputation. Isn’t that right, Victoria?" Ophelia asked, giving Victoria the chance to clear her name.

"It is so," Victoria answered.

Althea was humoured by the turn of events. "Well, I must apologise to you, Victoria. I thought the rumours had been true all along, since you never denied it. I will let the other ladies know that it simply wasn’t true."

"We must find the one who started the rumour before they sully your name and pit Ophelia against you," said Althea.

Victoria forced a smile. "I think the rumours started because I have always been close to Lord Hastings. Many believed a woman and a man couldn’t possibly be friends, but we are."

"Lord Hastings and his mother were both kind to take me in after my parents passed. I couldn’t be more grateful," said Victoria.

Though Victoria remained calm on the outside, she was furious. Victoria wanted to address the rumours in her own manner so she could keep the alleged romance between her and Dante alive, but Ophelia took charge.

"And now you have a lady in the castle to be your friend. Since it was all a misunderstanding, you and Lady Hastings can be friends. I would be more than willing to help you find a husband. There are plenty of men not yet married in the palace," Althea offered.

"That is kind of you, but I am not yet ready to marry. I hope when I am ready, the offer will still stand," Victoria said,

"It will, but you mustn’t wait too long. Now is the time for you to marry and have children. You as well, Freya. Ophelia, it is quite early, but have you and Lord Hastings spoken of having children?"

"We have not. Right now, we want to enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other better before we welcome children into this world. When we decide to have children, you and the king will be the first ones to know," said Ophelia.

"Then, I look forward to the news. What a shame that despite your mother being married to Lord Valthorn for many years, we didn’t have the pleasure of meeting. When I was told that Lord Hastings would marry Lord Valthorn’s daughter, I thought of Freya, but then your name came up," Althea said, still surprised Ophelia existed.

"Forgive me, but I forgot Joel took in more than your mother."

"I have not been to the palace or balls, so it is expected, but now we can get to know each other," Ophelia said, privy to what the queen was doing.

Ophelia wasn’t buying Althea’s act. She knew Althea was poking at how she had never been shown to anyone until now.

Ophelia didn’t care about being introduced since she got to avoid the boring conversations she endured now.

"If my father had allowed Ophelia to travel with us, she would have only embarrassed herself. She wouldn’t have known how to dance or to seat herself at a table," Freya said, taking the chance to point out Ophelia’s flaws.

A sharp glance from Althea made Freya bite her lip and stop speaking.

Ophelia didn’t want the moment to go to waste. "What Freya says is true. I wouldn’t have known how a lady was to behave since I wasn’t taught. Instead of attending grand balls with my family, I stayed behind in the castle to work."

Althea’s brows raised. "Work? A woman from the Valthorn family needed to work?"

"Yes. Since I am not Lord Valthorn’s daughter, there were moments when I felt out of place. In return for having all that was handed me, it was seen as only fair that I worked in the castle-"

"Ophelia!" Freya exclaimed, needing Ophelia to stop.

"Silence, I want to hear this," Althea said, growing more curious about Ophelia’s place in the castle. "Lord Valthorn and his wife allowed you to work? Did the other children work?"

"They didn’t need to since they stood in their father’s castle. I didn’t mind that I needed to work. It taught me quite a lot about the world and valuing what I have. It is the greatest lesson anyone could ever learn," said Ophelia.

"There are a few ladies I think could learn what you have. You surprised me, Ophelia. I misjudged you," Althea admitted.

Althea was ready to be against Ophelia because she heard the bride of Lord Hastings was quite lacking, but Ophelia was a welcome surprise. They could never be friends since the king wanted Lord Hastings dead, but Althea was going to enjoy the mess Ophelia would create with her presence.

"Miss Freya, I hope you understand the value of life and the things you wear from your sister. It is good to have such a wise lady around, and there is something you can offer. You can help her with acting as a lady should, and she can keep you humble," Althea suggested.

’She can’t help me,’ Freya thought, but she dared not speak of it before Althea.

Freya didn’t like the way Ophelia behaved at the moment. Ophelia was fooling everyone around her by acting like a polished lady. She particularly didn’t like how Ophelia was dressed now.

A woman like Ophelia didn’t deserve to be dressed up like a lady. The jewels around Ophelia’s neck and the ring on her finger didn’t suit her.

Freya wanted to pull the jewels off of Ophelia’s body and rip up her dress. Ophelia would be far more suited to wear the maid’s uniform.

"Lady Hastings, there will be an event tomorrow. I hope to see you there on time with Lord Hastings. Many ladies from all over the capital will be in attendance to cheer on the men. Don’t ruin this time to introduce yourself to the kingdom," Althea advised Ophelia.

Ophelia knew nothing of a gathering the next day since Dante had not spoken of it, but she nodded her head, agreeing to attend.

"You will be there as well, won’t you?" Althea questioned Victoria.

"If Lord Hastings is in attendance, then I will be there," Victoria answered.

"Good. I’ve had enough of being outside. Do enjoy what I have prepared for you and roam the palace as you wish," Althea said as she stood up.

Ophelia joined the others in standing to see Althea off.

Althea smiled as she parted from the ladies. Though she was leaving now, she had many eyes around to watch the aftermath of what she started.