Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 61: Bonding (3)

Ophelia returned to her chamber and thought over whether she should attend dinner with Dante. Victoria’s incident was still fresh in her mind, along with the fact that no one knew Victoria had poisoned herself.

Ophelia knew that she would have many eyes on her as everyone would be watching to see where she touched.

"I prefer peace," Ophelia muttered.

Ophelia looked around the large chamber. Like the chamber in the castle, it was too spacious and left her feeling alone.

"What are you doing?" Ophelia patted her head, trying to rid herself of the desire to go down for dinner.

Was it worth it?

Meanwhile, in the dining hall, Victoria arrived for dinner. She greeted the knights she passed and sat down at the table meant for Dante.

"Good evening," Victoria greeted Dante.

"Good evening,"

"Is something on your mind? You appear worried, and the knights seem to notice," Victoria said, bringing Dante’s focus to his guards. "You know, when you are worried, they share your worry. You should smile and encourage them to enjoy themselves."

"They cannot enjoy themselves. We are here for work, not to play. They’ll have time to relax when we return to my land. Don’t mind me and eat your food before it turns cold," said Dante.

Victoria looked down at her lap to hide her smile. "I hate it when we fight with each other. I thought a lot about what you said, and I have been acting unlike myself. I am going to keep my focus on my family and reclaim what is mine. I hope we can start anew."

"Are you going to keep your word to take me to their graves?" Victoria inquired.

"It is what I promise," Dante responded.

"Thank you. I’m sure wherever they are now, they would be pleased to know you are at my side. My father would have wanted you to have his sword. He always said that if he stepped away from battles, his sword should not. When I return to my home, I will get you the sword," Victoria promised.

"Do as you wish," Dante said, his gaze going to the door.

"Have you received any word about my uncle? I know he wouldn’t miss this chance to be around the king and show off what he has now. I was afraid to run into him, but now I look forward to it," Victoria said, determined.

"He is here," Dante said, picking up a cup with rum in it. "He is here with his wife and your cousins. Did you not see him at the ball?"

"No, I didn’t," Victoria answered, looking away from Dante.

Victoria knew her uncle was present, but she needed something to speak of with Dante.

"I will cross paths with one of them tomorrow. My cousin must be taking part in the event. I will stay close to you and Ophelia," said Victoria.

"I will be taking part in the event-"

"What?" Victoria exclaimed, surprised by the news. "You have not joined in years. Why would you start now? Dante?"

Victoria followed Dante’s gaze and noticed that Ophelia had walked in. She immediately placed Ophelia as the reason Dante was joining.

"Dante, please tell me that you remember you are not well. You shouldn’t be careless and join the event where men get hurt. The king will be watching you carefully," Victoria said, trying to get Dante to reconsider.

"I know," Dante replied, his gaze on Ophelia. "It will be fine."

"Fine? What if you lose control of yourself for a moment? That would be all it takes for the king to know his suspicions are true, and you will be the one hunted by all the men in the kingdom. It is too risky, so I think you should sit it out. Please," Victoria pleaded.

"I know my body. The event will be quick. I understand your concerns, but I need you to be quiet before you worry, Ophelia. She is to enjoy the event, and the Hastings shall win. You came," Dante said, standing from his chair to greet Ophelia. "I was starting to think that you would stay in your chamber."

"I was going to, but then I thought of all the food I would be able to sneak away as you said. Don’t judge me, but I enjoy having a late-night feast. Victoria," Ophelia greeted.

Victoria stood up and curtsied. "Lady Hastings. How wonderful of you to join us for dinner."

"My husband wanted it, so I will listen to it just once," Ophelia said as she walked to the other end of the table. "I hope you don’t mind that I want to sit here."

Ophelia chose a chair which was more than an arm’s length from where Dante sat and two chairs away from Victoria. She prepared herself for drama at dinner, and when it came, Ophelia didn’t want any part in it.

"Nothing will happen, Lady Hastings. That incident is behind us all," said Victoria.

"It might be in your eyes, but I must be careful. Besides, it is not only because of what happened that I sit here. My husband has bothered me quite enough for one day, and I like to have peace at dinner. I hope you would be so kind as to entertain him while I eat," Ophelia requested.

"I enjoy dinners where everyone speaks of their day. Since we are surrounded by knights and there are drinks everywhere, I fear you won’t get any peace. Have you heard that Lord Hastings will be taking part in the event tomorrow? It is a surprise for me," Victoria said, curious if Ophelia had something to do with it.

"Oh, yes. I know about it. I am encouraging him to win. Do you think he stands a chance when he has gone a day without training? I know of the tales of his talents, but I want to know what our odds are," Ophelia said, sparing Dante a glance.

Victoria took notice of how Ophelia said she wanted to know what their odds were, not Dante’s. "The men who will take part are no match for Lord Hastings, but he hasn’t joined in many years, and for good reason. We cannot have him exert himself when he is not well."

"Victoria," Dante said in a warning tone.

Ophelia frowned. "Are you ill?" She questioned Dante.

Had Ophelia known that Dante was not in good health, she wouldn’t have pushed for him to take part. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"You could have said no, and I wouldn’t have been angry. If you aren’t well, you should back out," Ophelia said, worried he was pushing himself.

Dante wounding himself further was dangerous for Ophelia.