Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 51: Growing relationship (3)

Dante showed Ophelia to her chamber and left right away to give her the privacy to get well acquainted with their home for the time being. He met with Rick, who had more questions for Dante.

"I’m sorry. What did you mean when you said it was your wife’s idea about watching the men?" Rick questioned, failing to piece it together.

"It is as I said. She’s smart and has good ideas. I’ll need to make more use of her. Send invitations to the men who claimed to be my allies, yet they met with Joel. It’s time I had a little talk with them at dinner tomorrow," Dante decided.

"I’ll send someone right away. Are you plotting with Lady Hastings now?"

"Why not? When someone is wise, we should use them. I will need to add one more guard to her side for the event tomorrow. I will be taking part, so I need all of you to protect her," said Dante.

Rick couldn’t believe his ears that Dante would get involved in the king’s games. "You haven’t participated in years, and you were speaking of not feeling like yourself. Why now would you want to take part? Everyone is going to target you."

"Then I must be prepared," Dante said, having good reason to win. "I understand your concerns."

"Then you must understand why I don’t think you should join. Your health is a matter of concern. If something triggers you, then everyone will know of your condition. The king has always suspected there is something more to your family, and if he finds the truth, you will be the one hunted," said Rick.

"Prepare more cigars for me-"

"Dante!" Rick informally addressed Dante. "You must think about your health and what one single incident can reveal. Until you feel in control, I suggest that you do not participate in the event. I don’t want to see you in danger."

"I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t feel well. I will be taking you along as my guard to ease your worry. Focus on inviting the men here for dinner and keeping an eye on Joel. Bring Thomas to me," Dante ordered Rick.

"As you wish," Rick said, turning away from Dante.

Rick walked out of the room and went in search of Thomas. He found Thomas standing near Ophelia’s chamber.

"Lord Hastings wants to see you in the study. Before you go," Rick said, grabbing Thomas’s arm. "What do you think of Lady Hastings?"

Thomas thought about it for a moment and then answered, "I think I misjudged her. She is not like the other knights said she was."

"You have not been guarding her for long," Rick pointed out.

"That is true," Thomas agreed with Rick. "But it is enough to know that I don’t need to be concerned about her. All she does is try to look around and eat. She has offered me food."

Rick pinched the bridge of his nose. "You must stop thinking anyone who feeds you is kind. Why haven’t you learned from your last mistake? Has she ordered you to do anything or questioned you about Lord Hastings’ family?"

"No. She only asks about the guests she has to meet with, and her maid answers those questions. She said she won’t ask me to do anything to go against Lord Hastings orders. She only wants me to protect her. I think you can stop being so guarded," said Thomas.

Thomas noticed that even Lord Hastings appeared to be comfortable around Ophelia.

"If he grows feelings for her, won’t it be bad for you later on? I think it is best that we keep our feelings to ourselves and fulfil our orders. It could be that she stays his wife forever," Thomas assumed, since the pair looked close.

"You know nothing of marriage," Rick muttered.

"And how many years have you been married?" Thomas asked, flashing an innocent smile when Rick turned around.

"I don’t know what kind of spell she placed over you, but I don’t trust her as yet. Go to Lord Hastings and return to your post," Rick ordered Thomas.

Thomas watched as Rick walked away. He understood Rick’s feelings and knew that Rick was thinking of Dante’s best interests, but Thomas also believed Rick was overstepping.

Who were they to attack Lady Hastings, whether verbally or physically?

’She always looks sad,’ Thomas thought.

Thomas couldn’t forget how Ophelia would look at him after stating that he reminded her of her younger brother.

The look Ophelia wore then reminded Thomas of the look his father had when he thought about his late wife. How could Thomas hate her then when she appeared so sad?

"I can’t be late," Thomas whispered, starting to move so he could go to Dante.

When Thomas entered the study, Dante was standing by the window, looking out at the town.

"You sent for me, Lord Hastings?" Thomas asked, making his presence known.

"What do you think of my wife?"

Thomas straightened up.

Dante’s question after Thomas’s recent thoughts made him fear Dante could hear what he had been thinking. Or worse, Dante had heard what was said between him and Rick.

"I think the lady is misjudged. I know that since I haven’t been at her side for long, I cannot deem her safe, but I pity her. She is in an unfamiliar place surrounded by people who do not like her. Still, she keeps her head up." Thomas gave his honest thoughts.

Thomas knew of a few ladies who would have thrown a tantrum or two by now.

"Do you want me to report all that Lady Hastings does?"

"No," Dante responded as he turned around to face Thomas. "I only wanted to know if you were a match for her, and it seems so. You will remain at her side unless I have good reason to remove you. You are not to report what she does to anyone."

"Not even to you?" Thomas asked, surprised.

"I must have some trust in my marriage, and I cannot have it if I am always watching my wife. Besides, I know that you would go against my order if she were plotting to kill me. Rather than report what my wife does, report if anyone troubles her. Don’t miss a detail of it," said Thomas.

"I will. Then, should I mention that your wife is suspicious of how her maid is acting? She suspects that you might be the cause of it," Thomas shared. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Dante smiled and said, "Nothing misses her eyes. Keep an eye on her maid. If she steps out of line, kill her when my wife isn’t watching."