Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 67: A friend (2)

Dante started to make his way back to Ophelia’s side. He didn’t need to add his name to a list as yet, but he used the chance to test if he left Ophelia alone, would she be well?

So far, Ophelia got away from her family and made a friend.

Dante smiled as he knew quite well that Ophelia would scold him for breaking his own rule. It was the consequence of having a wife who never forgets.

"Why are you smiling, Lord Hastings?" Rick inquired, puzzled by Dante’s pleasant mood.

"I am in good spirits and enjoying myself. Would you prefer that I walk around with a frown?" Dante asked.

"No. I am just surprised you are in a good mood. Everyone around you doesn’t share your happiness. The men are grumbling, so when the king arrives, they might complain and ask that you sit out. Lord Valthorn’s son is leading the men against you," Rick pointed out.

"Of course he is. I heard that the king has become quite fond of him. For him to lose would be quite embarrassing. Keep an eye on him during the games," said Dante.

Dante walked ahead of Rick to reunite with Ophelia. "I have returned," he announced.

Ophelia glared at Dante since he had thrown her to the wolves and left her.

"Mrs Sterling," Dante greeted Mary.

Mary stood up and curtsied. "Lord Hastings. Please forgive me for intruding."

"You are not intruding. I have you to thank for keeping my wife company while I am away. It is about time she makes a friend here in the capital. Is your husband near?" Dante asked, searching for the dreaded man.

Dante didn’t want Mary’s husband anywhere near Ophelia.

"Not at the moment. He is eager to see the king, and he has his peers to speak to," Mary answered, sharing Dante’s feelings in not wanting her husband near.

"I see. How are your sons faring?" Dante inquired.

"They are well. They would have loved to join us, but my husband thought it was best they stay behind to finish their studies," Mary replied, missing her sons.

If not for her husband, Mary would have stayed home.

"You look over the appearances already. I do not blame you since your husband has a habit of being in everyone’s faces. I must warn you that he will not be able to approach my wife," Dante warned Mary.

"I respect your wishes," Mary said, wanting Dante to keep her husband away from her as well.

"I won’t disturb you two any longer. I must get dressed for the first event. My lovely wife," Dante said, leaning down to Ophelia’s level. "Try not to miss me when I am gone. I will try to make time to see you between the breaks."

"Please, don’t trouble yourself to come to me. I will be well with the company I have. You must go," Ophelia said, poking Dante’s chest as a warning.

Dante chuckled, enjoying himself by bothering Ophelia.

Ophelia was thrilled to see Dante walking away without bothering her any further.

"Men," Ophelia muttered.

"No kiss goodbye?" Mary asked as she sat back down.

"Did it sound like he deserved one?" Ophelia answered.

"I have been in Lord Hastings’s presence on many occasions, and not once have I witnessed him be so playful. Truthfully, I didn’t think he could have this side to him. It is a bit refreshing to see, and I think of him in a new light. Perhaps there is hope for you," Mary said, hoping Ophelia had a better fate than she did.

Ophelia stared at where Dante walked off with his knights. "I did think he would be intimidating because of what I heard and how he acted at our wedding. He has his moments, but I do agree he is a bit playful. How he fights today might change my mind."

"Lord Hastings is said to be a beast when it comes to fighting," said Mary.

"A beast?" Ophelia repeated, staring at Dante once more.

"Not a literal beast," Mary said, noticing Ophelia took her words carefully. "Such things don’t exist."

"Right, they don’t," Ophelia muttered.

"Did you fight with your stepsister? Miss Freya has been glaring at us for some time now," Mary said, looking back at the nearby group of ladies. "I don’t know her well. I have never been on the Valthorn land."

"That is just Freya being a child," Ophelia said, keeping her response short since she didn’t know Mary well. "She will move on to someone else."

"She is surrounded by many influential women. I live on the Hastings lands, and since you arrived, I have not seen you at any of the gatherings I have attended. Are you deciding what gatherings you should attend? I can help you," Mary offered.

"I have not received any invitations, and it doesn’t come as a surprise to me."

"It comes as a surprise to me. Regardless of what anyone thinks, you are Lady Hastings, and we reside on your husband’s land. The ladies should have common courtesy to invite you, even if they do not want you to attend."

"If I were hosting a gathering, you would be the first name on the list. You mustn’t allow them to disrespect you. If you do not stop it now, it will go on forever," Mary said, hopeful Ophelia would take her advice.

"When I first arrived, Lady Cecilia was in the castle. Perhaps the invitations went to her, and she kept them thinking it wasn’t time for me to show myself," Ophelia concluded.

"Their mothers have a way of intervening in matters that do not concern them. My husband’s mother is dead. What a pity," Mary said, trying to be serious, but a chuckle slipped out.

Ophelia joined Mary in laughter. It was good to know that she wasn’t the only one who faced a struggle with their husband’s mother.

"Are we awful for laughing?" Ophelia asked, looking around to see if anyone overheard them.

"For the way they treat us, no. We are allowed to laugh instead of crying. All you need to do is be patient and hope Lord Hastings will send her away for you. An overbearing mother is already frustrating, but a son who cannot speak up to his mother is infuriating. They are weak and never change," said Mary.

"I will keep an eye on what he does," Ophelia replied, leaving it to someone else to reveal that Cecilia was not in the castle. "When does the king arrive? Is he not late?"

"In the words of the king, he is never late. He will when he thinks it is time. We must be patient and await his arrival. Enjoy the peace you have now before he arrives," Mary advised Ophelia.