Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 52: Forgive but not forget (1)

Ophelia got bored with being inside her chamber and decided it was time to continue her walk, so she left her chamber.

"Where is Thomas?" Ophelia questioned Alice after not finding Thomas anywhere in sight.

"I was told he was summoned by Lord Hastings. Would you like me to get him?" Alice offered.

"No. I have a feeling that you don’t want to be anywhere near my husband at the moment. What did you do to place yourself in trouble? So much trouble that you are being kind to me?" Ophelia inquired, too curious to go any longer without knowing.

Alice smiled, feigning ignorance. "I don’t know what you speak of, Lady Hastings. Should I get you something to quench your thirst, or would you like to go for a walk?"

"Haven’t you learned by now that you can’t get your way with me? Should I go ask my husband what it is you have done to be so worried?" Ophelia asked and purposely took a step forward to scare Alice.

"No!" Alice exclaimed. "You mustn’t."

"Then speak," Ophelia ordered Alice.

Alice averted her gaze from Ophelia. "Lord Hastings knows that I wasn’t treating you well. He has given me a second chance to do better."

"Or? Surely there is more to it," said Ophelia.

"My life is now in the palm of your hands. You shall decide what Lord Hastings does with me, so I have a chance to redeem myself with you. Surely, you would be kind to take pity on me," Alice said, hopeful that Ophelia would help her.

Ophelia looked down upon Alice’s nervous hands. "Why should I? If the roles were reversed, would you have helped me? I didn’t think so."

"You would have me die?" Alice replied, appalled.

"Before my husband spoke to you, you would have liked to see me die. You enjoyed seeing me tortured by Edith and Cecilia. Now that the shoe is on your foot, you want me to be kind? Why should I be?" Ophelia asked, yet to see reason to be kind.

Ophelia didn’t harbour any pity when it came to Alice.

Alice was now reaping what she sowed, and Ophelia thought it was more than fair.

"I never forget what anyone does to me, and you are no exception. You should do as he instructed you and make up for your poor judgment. Then, I just might spare you. Now, come along," Ophelia said, leading the way.

Alice followed Ophelia.

Now was the first time that Ophelia scared Alice.

They were not close, but Alice didn’t think Ophelia would be against saving her.

"As long as you don’t do anything foolish again, I have no reason to ask that he punish you, but I won’t go out of my way to save you. Your fate isn’t in my hands, but rather your own. You will have to be honest going forward," Ophelia said, looking over her shoulder at Alice.

"Have you been meeting in secret with Victoria?"

"I have," Alice confessed. "She offered me a ring to meet with her and speak of what you have been doing with Lord Hastings. I will stop speaking to her. I have only done it twice."

’I don’t have time for her silly games,’ Ophelia thought.

Ophelia needed Victoria to snap out of her childishness and focus on what was truly important.

"What is it that she faces with her family?" Ophelia asked, thinking it was trivial since Victoria wasn’t focused.

"After her father died, Victoria’s uncle swooped in and stole all that belonged to her. He was trying to marry her off, but she found protection in Lord Hastings."

"She faces such troubles, yet she has time to meddle in my marriage. Love and jealousy are such dangerous things. They make people do foolish things," Ophelia said, shaking her head. "I truly don’t have the time for her, and she doesn’t have the time to bother herself with me."

Alice thought of a good opportunity to get on Ophelia’s side. "Would you like me to spy on her for you? I can report all that she asks of me and what she does when you aren’t watching. I am close to many of the maids."

"Weren’t you listening? I have no interest in what Victoria does. Her fight with me is one-sided since I have bigger matters to tend to. When you misbehave, it reflects on me. Stop meeting with her," Ophelia ordered Alice.

There was nothing to gain from Ophelia spying on Victoria. It would take away time from planning how to get her brother.

"As you wish," Alice replied. "Oh, there she comes."

Ophelia looked right ahead at where Victoria walked with her maid behind her. She kept walking since there was no reason to avoid Victoria.

"Lady Hastings," Victoria spoke up when Ophelia got to her side. "Might I have a word with you?"

"No. Unfortunately, I am not interested in any more of the childish banter. When are you going to give up? It was always out of my control that I married Dante- Lord Hastings," Ophelia corrected herself as it sounded as if they were close. "Direct your jealousy to someone else."

"You like to parade that he has been your friend for many years, yet he could not return the feelings you share. It is time you do yourself a favour, which would greatly benefit me and move on. There are other noblemen to fall in love with," said Ophelia.

Dante proved to be an easy man to live with once his mother was no longer by his side, so Ophelia was certain there had to be at least one more nobleman Victoria could wed once she got rid of the mother. Ophelia thought Victoria would have to kill the mother if they were difficult, but it was worth it for peace.

"I didn’t come here to argue with you. I simply wanted to talk, but you had plans to lash out," said Victoria.

"I speak this way because our conversations are never pleasant. You always lean into your jealousy or try to share that you do not think I am the right fit for him. I will only allow my husband to speak of what he doesn’t think is right, not you. Stay out of my marriage," Ophelia said, tired of the back and forth.

"I intend to do so. I have come to realise that my actions haven’t been appropriate thus far, and I have not shown you the good side of me yet. I am sorry for all that I did," Victoria apologised. "I hope we can set those issues behind us and become close."

Ophelia covered her mouth with her right hand as she laughed. "Forgive me, I know it is rude to laugh after an apology, but what are you doing? He spoke to you, didn’t he? You couldn’t mask your displeasure as you spoke. I will accept this apology, but you and I don’t need to be friends."