Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 46: Meeting with enemies (5)

Ophelia chuckled, humoured by Victoria thinking this news would bother her. "Does my husband know there is something between you two? He is a bit adamant that you two are just friends, but what do I know? I’m just an outsider looking in."

Ophelia stood up because it was evident she wouldn’t get to eat in peace. "I don’t care what occurred between you two before he was married to me. Quite frankly, I don’t care what you two would do now behind my back. I told you that you could have him, right?"

"Dante is not someone for you to give away. He is not something you possess," said Victoria.

"Well, thanks to the king, he is, in fact, someone I possess. Surely, you didn’t think that I would have it that only Dante possesses me. That only he could do what he wished with me. I am not fond of those rules. Do what you will, but I am not going to be pulled into your games," Ophelia revealed.

"See," Ophelia continued to say. "As a lady having trouble with her family, I know how that feels, so we could have been the best of friends, but you are too childish. I have my own troubles to face, so when you are in your feelings about my husband, remember that I don’t want him."

After a second glance at the food, Ophelia sat back down. She wanted just a little bit more.

Victoria didn’t know what else to say to Ophelia. It was clear that Ophelia had no shame.

Victoria decided it was best to walk off and meet with the other ladies who were worth her time.

Ophelia could have two more bites before Freya came to disturb her.

"You changed your name and all of a sudden you have become bold," Freya said, her arms folded as she peered down on Ophelia.

"Please tell me, is there a line of ladies behind you who want to speak with me? I must know so I can prepare myself for a headache," Ophelia said, once more giving up on eating.

Freya frowned. "What?"

"You’ve both ruined my appetite. I am not in the mood to speak to you, Freya. Run along to find your father and act like a spoiled brat to him. You never liked it when I lived with you, so you should be happy that I am out of the castle. Even if it boils your anger that I have married a lord."

"You might carry his name, but you are still a joke. If not for my father pushing you to marry Lord Hastings, you would have never married you."

" I don’t for one second think Lord Hastings would fall in love with you. He will leave you, and then you will be back in our hands. Be obedient while I am still nice," Freya said, wearing a triumphant smile.

Ophelia stood up after deciding it was time to leave the garden. "I’m going to have to disappoint you. Even if my time as Lady Hastings were to be short-lived, for this very moment, I carry that name. Therefore, I don’t need to listen to you. In fact, you should be more careful about what you say or do to me."

"I know many of your secrets. I know how father and Nigel punished you-"

"Then go on and share it. I am not ashamed of it, but your father and brother should be. Think of how everyone would speak after hearing what they did. I’m sure it wouldn’t take long for stories about you to go around. Of how you were quite evil all your life. What man would want to marry you then?" Ophelia wondered.

"I am the daughter of Lord Valthorn. I am quite desired by many, unlike you," Freya replied.

Freya wasn’t worried about finding a husband. Unlike Ophelia, Freya was the true daughter, so men wouldn’t hesitate to court her. Freya planned to aim higher than Ophelia did, and once again, she would be looking down on Ophelia.

Ophelia didn’t share the same thought. "These men are odd. They like a woman with a lot of innocence to them and a good reputation. I fear you hold neither quality."

"You’d best get started on trying to change yourself, but then again, you are so rotten that it would take a lifetime to change. How unfortunate you don’t have enough time since you want to get married this season," Ophelia said, losing hope for Freya.

"It doesn’t sound possible, but you always said I was uneducated, so please don’t listen to me," said Ophelia.

"You," Freya glared at Ophelia. "You need to be taught a lesson."

"Please come closer to teach me one. I’ve been waiting patiently for the moment I could respond to you," Ophelia said.

They were not in the Valthorn castle anymore, so Ophelia didn’t need to allow Freya to get away with her behaviour to escape Joel punishing her for fighting back.

"I’ll remind you of your place soon enough," Freya said, raising her hand.

"Miss Freya," the sound of Dante’s voice made Freya freeze up.

Freya dropped her hand back to her side as she turned around. "Lord Hastings," she sweetly greeted Dante.

"I see you are playing with my wife," Dante noticed. "I hope I am not interrupting."

Dante walked around Freya and went to Ophelia’s side. He used his finger to wipe a bit of icing from her cheek.

Dante smiled, not because of their act, but due to Ophelia giving him a look that read she wanted to bite him.

Freya fumed at the sight of the pair acting in love. "You are not interrupting us. I was just about to go find my father."

"We just left the throne room together, so he would be near. You should run along now so you don’t miss him," Dante shooed Freya.

Freya had plenty more she wanted to say to Ophelia, but with Dante around, she missed her chance.

Ophelia watched as Freya marched off, stomping her feet as she always would when she couldn’t get her way.

Ophelia soon turned her attention from Freya to Dante, not for a second forgetting he had touched her face. "I will bite you," she warned Dante. "Please keep your closeness to a limit."

"You had something on your face."

"Then tell me instead of using your hand," Ophelia said, wiping the side of her face.

Dante looked down at the food Ophelia was eating. "Didn’t I warn you against palace food?"

"You did," Ophelia only now remembered. "I got a little carried away."

"With icing on your cheek, I wouldn’t say you were a little carried away," Dante said, backing away before he found himself scratched.