Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 47: Fading friendship (1)
"Can we leave the palace now? I’m already tired of pretending," Ophelia said, ready to see the home Dante spoke of. "Why are you back from speaking to the king so quickly? Weren’t you speaking about the truce?"
"We are leaving now once Victoria is brought back, and I did speak about the truce. Your stepfather and the king looked guilty, so they dismissed it rather quickly. We will speak about this in the carriage. There are eyes all around," Dante said, taking notice of the queen’s maids lingering around.
"Then let us get Victoria and go. I have something I want to request from you, and yes, I know that I ask for plenty from you, but I swear to you, this will be the last," Ophelia promised.
Dante offered his hand for Ophelia to hold as they walked. "I doubt it will be the last time," he replied. "How is Thomas treating you as a guard?"
"So far, it is going well. His name reminds me of my brother’s, so it makes me think of Theo. Thank you for giving me someone who seems eager to listen to your order and do nothing more," said Ophelia.
Ophelia frowned when Alice came into view. "There is something wrong with my maid. She has suddenly turned nice, and I haven’t found the reason for it."
Dante stared at Alice, who in turn avoided his gaze. "Perhaps she realised her mistake and wants to be good to you."
"No," Ophelia shook her head. "I find it more likely that she is possessed. Of course, I would have such bad luck as to have a possessed maid. Don’t laugh," she said, a little upset Dante wasn’t taking her seriously. "You should be more concerned since there might be others in your castle like this."
"I am not afraid of ghosts," said Dante.
"That comes as no surprise to me either. If I were a ghost, I would be afraid of you, too. No, I would think you were just like me. Dead inside," Ophelia muttered.
"I heard that. I have seen many things because of the war. There is little that scares me," Dante said, trapping Ophelia’s hand in his own as he spoke.
"Little? So that means there is something to scare you. Don’t worry, I have no interest in finding out what your weakness is. You should go find Victoria so we can leave," Ophelia said, attempting to let go of Dante’s hand, only for her hand to be held captive. "Let go of me."
"I said the palace walls have eyes. You can’t drop your act yet, and Rick will bring Victoria to the carriage. Bear with it until we get out of the palace gates, and I will agree to what you want."
This piqued Ophelia’s interest. She needed Dante to say yes to what she wanted, so since he was willing to agree if she only held his hand, Ophelia obeyed.
"We are leaving," Dante announced to Alice and Thomas.
"Lady Hastings, is there anything you need me to collect from your chamber before you leave?" Alice asked, the palms of her hands sweating due to her nervousness.
"See what I mean?" Ophelia whispered to Dante. "Possessed."
Dante wasn’t with Ophelia earlier when Alice was being nice, so Ophelia knew Alice wasn’t behaving as she did now to look good before Dante. Alice was up to no good, and Ophelia was going to get to the bottom of it.
"Pay no attention to it," Dante said, nudging Ophelia to keep walking.
The pair walked in silence as Dante paid close attention to their surroundings while Ophelia tried to uncover what Alice was planning. They reached the outside of the palace without any interruptions and walked down to the carriage.
Dante offered his hand to help Ophelia into the carriage, but she lifted her dress and got inside without help.
Dante smiled as he lowered his hand. He thought nothing ill of Ophelia refusing his help to enter the carriage. He had gotten used to her inability to easily accept help.
"Lord Hastings," Rick approached the carriage. "I did as you asked, and it was just like you said. Many of the men gathered with Lord Valthorn. Two men who claim to be your allies met with him. How would you like to proceed?"
"We will speak of this when we leave the palace. I have my wife to thank for exposing betrayals," said Dante.
Rick frowned, puzzled by what Dante meant.
What could Ophelia have exposed?
Dante offered his hand to Victoria and helped her into the carriage.
"Are you well, Dante? Had I known you were attacked, I would have visited you right away. I should have known there was something amiss when you didn’t join everyone for breakfast, and everyone else was in good spirits," said Victoria.
Victoria thought it was because of the ball that everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, but Dante’s absence should have made her realise there was a plot to harm him.
"I am fine. It was hardly an attack since someone managed to sleep through it," Dante said, taking the chance to mock Ophelia.
"Well, excuse me for being so tired after I stayed awake for hours waiting for an attack and fell asleep a little while before it happened. I was tired, but even if I wasn’t, with the war hero in the chamber, what should I have done?" Ophelia asked.
"What use is there to you having a knife in your keep if you won’t use it?"
"I forgot to take it with me. How can you look down on my knife, but then ask that I help you with it? One day, you will need my knife, and I shall not place it in your hands. You will have to run off to find some other knife," Ophelia muttered and turned away from Dante.
Victoria sat on the opposite side of the carriage, watching closely as Dante and Ophelia conversed with each other. It was strange for Victoria to see Dante so comfortable with Ophelia.
It should be good that they were close, but Victoria couldn’t help being against it. All she ever heard from the Hastings was that Valthorns could not be trusted, yet here Dante sat, laughing with Ophelia like she wasn’t his enemy.
Victoria looked away from the happy couple. She knew deep down she had no right to judge Ophelia since it was true that she poisoned herself, but she couldn’t stop being angry that Ophelia had taken a place she so desperately wanted to have.
’It is uncomfortable,’ Victoria thought, wanting to get out of the carriage.
