Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 58: Obsession (2)
Giselle didn’t have time for Nigel to add his obsession with Ophelia to her plate. She was already having trouble with Freya and thought Nigel would provide her with some ease of mind.
"Nigel, you must listen to me. Forget about Ophelia. There will come other women who will spark your interest. You must stay focused on what your father wants. He is angry. So angry that he won’t be lenient when it comes to your mistakes. Please," Giselle pleaded, hoping Nigel would finally move on.
Nigel smiled. "You know, I like seeing you like this. Begging, for me to listen," he said in a taunting tone. "It makes you feel like my real mother. I’ll take care of you, you know. As long as you keep turning a blind eye, as you always do." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"You knew that I was beating her. Marking her skin for reminders of each time she had misbehaved, but you would walk away since it wasn’t you. I like that," Nigel said, fond of Giselle. "You’re not nosy like the others. So, this time as well, you should turn a blind eye."
"Pretend you didn’t hear anything, and I will always treat you well. I’ll treat you well even if you lose favour with my father. Leave your daughter to my care and get her back in the castle," Nigel ordered Giselle.
"You forget that Ophelia is now married and has to stay in Lord Hastings’s hands. One day he shall die, so I suggest you wait until then. I urge you to find yourself a wife. Even Freya is being arranged to be with the third prince," Giselle shared.
Nigel chuckled. "The third prince? I imagine my sister cannot be pleased about that arrangement. She would prefer the crown prince, but she would be far safer at the third prince’s side. It would ruin my friendship with the crown prince if they wed."
Giselle didn’t understand. "Why would it ruin your friendship? Shouldn’t it strengthen because you two are so close?"
"You only know what the crown prince is like when he is being watched. What do you think a man who has control second to the king is like behind closed doors? Why do you think we are friends?" Nigel asked, wearing a smile with mischief hidden behind it.
"He’ll have Freya running to return home, so set her to be with the third prince. He has little backing, but he would keep Freya well because he would need the support of my father. She’ll hate you for it," Nigel laughed.
"Then, can you speak to her and try to sway her? I tried to tell her that there is no way I could change the crown prince’s engagement. She would like to see his fiancée dead."
"Freya still is a silly little girl. I will speak to her. If you put your foot down with her and be stern instead of trying to please her, she wouldn’t challenge you," said Nigel.
"Whenever I try to be stern, she cries to her father, and it creates trouble for my marriage. Bella listens, but Freya does not. She will not listen even more now that Ophelia is out of the castle," Giselle said, needing Nigel to step in.
"Since you will be kind enough to forget about Ophelia, I think it is only fair that I help you with Freya. Still, Freya is a bit of hard work, so you should do a little more for me," Nigel requested.
"If you are hoping that I get Ophelia alone so you can have your revenge, I cannot help you. I have yet to succeed in getting her alone so I might speak to her. Your father is pressuring me to speak with her tomorrow," Giselle shared.
Nigel picked up a shirt which had been laid out by the very maid he bedded. "My father doesn’t think at times. He is sending you to do a man’s job. If he wants to speak to her, my father should force Lord Hastings to allow it. I might have a chance."
Nigel thought of what he could get when he won tomorrow’s event.
"When I win, I will ask that Ophelia visit us in the castle for a week. That is enough time for all of us to do as we want. I will be the perfect son my father wants for the next few days, so he will not trouble you," Nigel said, handing Giselle what she wanted.
Giselle knew Nigel’s help was coming at a great cost, but she couldn’t reject it. Either way, Nigel would do as he wanted and get Ophelia, so it was best in Giselle’s eyes to gain something from it now.
"Where is my wonderful father?" Nigel asked, quickly getting ready.
Giselle turned her back to Nigel. "He is in our chamber making plans for Lord Hastings. Please be careful with what you say to him. The smallest mistake to upset him can have consequences for all of us. He will come soon to send you to the king."
Nigel needed a drink. "All that the old man wants to speak about is women. He thinks every woman in the kingdom belongs to him. Keep Freya and Bella out of its sight. His interest in women is unpredictable."
Giselle thought of what would happen when Nigel found out that the king now held some interest in Ophelia.
Surely, Nigel would know it was best to give up and let the king do as he wanted instead of putting up a fight.
"I am surprised that there are so many people with Ophelia on their minds. Had I known she was so important, I would have kept her in the castle. Do as you wish," Giselle encouraged Nigel.
"Does it upset you that you worked hard to be noticed, but your daughter was able to garner attention without trying? You must learn that men often want things they cannot have. You are already Lady Valthorn, but you try too hard to be noticed," said Nigel.
Nigel wanted better for Giselle. She was one of his favourite people since she brought excitement to his life.
"I will walk with you to see my father. I’ll try to calm him for you as well as speak to Freya. You mustn’t look so afraid," Nigel advised Giselle.
"I am not afraid. I am concerned about your well-being and your future. Thank you for what you do for me," Giselle said, grateful for Nigel’s kindness.
Giselle knew that Nigel was kind only because he wanted something in return, but his kindness helped her.
Giselle didn’t doubt for one second that Nigel could get Freya to be on her best behaviour. The tricks Freya pulled with her father never worked on Nigel.
