Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 65: Jealousy (2)

"Ophelia, it will not be long. Wouldn’t you like to get this talk over with so you can go sit down? I can tell you about Theo," Giselle said, striking Ophelia’s one weakness.

"Oh, so now you remember you have a son. As always, you only think about us when you want to use us. Instead of wanting to speak to me, be with the children you adore. You know how much they hate to share you," said Ophelia.

"Girls, go with the maid and take your seats," Giselle said, sending her daughters off to calm Ophelia. "Your jealousy has always gotten the best of you."

"Jealousy?" Ophelia chuckled, amused that her mother still thought it was jealousy. "I don’t harbour any jealousy toward your daughters. Instead, I pity you. Years of servitude to them and still not appreciated. You have strength I never hope to have."

"I haven’t come here to argue with you. I have come to ask how you are faring and offer you advice," said Giselle.

"Advice? Why would I want advice from a woman who abandoned her children to take care of another woman’s children? I don’t want to be like you. So empty and desperate for status," Ophelia said as she walked around her mother.

"That is enough!" Giselle snapped.

"Why? Don’t like it when you hear the truth about yourself? Tell me, why should I take advice from a woman who abandoned me on my wedding night? You didn’t offer me any advice then. You forced this marriage on me in exchange for letting Theo see the doctors. Theo is your son," Ophelia reminded Giselle.

Yet every day felt like Ophelia had a child of her own.

"This is a good time for us to make peace with each other. I know that I have failed you in many ways, but we mustn’t hold onto the past," Giselle said, confident Ophelia still wanted her love.

"That is easy for you to say since you lived in luxury in the past. Theo and I suffered there. I won’t mend my relationship with you now because I married a lord. I know the truth behind your kindness. Your husband pushes you to do this, and if we do not speak, he shall take his anger out on you," said Ophelia.

Giselle approached Ophelia to hold her hand, only to be met by the sword of a guard. "Lower your weapon. I am Lady Valthorn!"

"He doesn’t listen to you, mother. Oh, that reminds me. I hope you don’t mind that I won’t refer to you as mother in public. I was trying to be respectful, but I can’t take it anymore. You haven’t thought of me as your daughter for years, so you should understand," Ophelia said, revealing a smile that irritated Giselle.

"As for what you might face if you don’t speak with me, I want it to happen. You’ve sent me to Joel’s study to be the one to endure his beatings when he is angry. It is time that you felt the weight of his cane. For the sake of this family, endure it," Ophelia repeated what Giselle once told her. "I will never forget," she whispered.

Giselle stared at Ophelia, surprised she would speak in this manner. "Ophelia, we must speak."

Ophelia ignored Giselle and turned to Thomas. "I am ready to sit down. Get rid of anyone in my way."

Thomas moved to stand before Ophelia to shield her from Giselle. "This way, Lady Hastings."

Giselle smiled since she still had the upper hand. "Are you certain you wish to act this way, Ophelia? I still have someone you cherish in my hold. Unless you want to lose him, I suggest you speak with me now. Never forget what I hold."

Ophelia stopped walking to the right of Giselle and replied, "If anything happens to Theo, I shall reveal all that I witnessed in the Valthorn castle. All those ladies you surrounded yourself with loved to speak about their children more than their husbands. How would they react to knowing you wanted your son to die?"

"You!"

"I can be vicious, too. The days when I bend to your will are over. Now, if you would please get out of my way, I want to see my husband get ready," Ophelia said, brushing by Giselle.

Giselle watched as Ophelia and her entourage walked off. Her gaze slowly moved from Ophelia to where Joel stood. He was angry because Ophelia got away. Giselle could see it.

Giselle looked away from Joel so she wouldn’t face any more of his anger.

What was she to do when Ophelia was no longer listening to her and acted on her own accord?

Giselle smiled so the crowd around her wouldn’t think anything of the talk she had with Ophelia. For now, she thought it would be best to sit with the girls and wait for another chance.

Meanwhile, Ophelia followed Thomas to her seat.

’Why did he leave me with them after saying we should be at each other’s side?’ Ophelia wondered.

Ophelia had good reason to scold Dante when they were alone.

"Enough with your gaze. What is it that you want to ask, Alice?"

Alice gasped, startled by Ophelia calling her out. "Forgive me. I am very surprised by the way you spoke to your family. I didn’t know your relationship was to that degree."

"You knew nothing about me. You judged me before you got to know me because I came from the Valthorn family. We could have gotten along on our first day, but we are beyond that point now. Don’t concern yourself with my family troubles," said Ophelia.

"I won’t overstep. I am sorry," Alice apologised.

"This again. I know it is my husband you fear. I am not going to throw you to him yet. You might have some use to me, so don’t lose that bold side of yours just yet," Ophelia said, wanting to use Alice back in the castle.

Ophelia looked back at where Victoria stood with Rick. Dante already informed her that she wouldn’t need to sit with Victoria, but Ophelia thought that would only fuel rumours that Victoria was a mistress. Why else would a friend of Lord Hastings need to sit elsewhere?

Ophelia reached the tree and sat down on a chair that was placed for her.

From where she sat, she could see the hunting grounds, the other families, the chairs where the royals would sit, and where the men gathered.

Ophelia was unfortunate to meet Dante’s gaze and realise he had been staring at her all along. She looked away from him to not play in his games.

Instead, Ophelia looked at the man she had seen on the night of the ball. His gaze was terrifying.

"Thomas, that man there is a duke, isn’t he? Will he be taking part?" Ophelia asked, curious about Kaden’s family and the king.

"No, like Lord Hastings, the duke doesn’t take part, but it is for other reasons. The king had banned him from joining because he feared his grace would kill all the contestants. Frankly, I am surprised to see him here," Thomas said, wary of Kaden’s presence.

"Why?" Ophelia asked.

"There are rumours he plans to declare war on everyone for his family’s death. It is the first time in three years that he has shown himself at the king’s event," Thomas revealed.