Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 72: Misdirected anger (1)

Ophelia enjoyed the event with Mary at her side. To her surprise, Ophelia loved watching Dante take down his opponents one by one, and the crowd adored it, as there was finally a real show to watch.

The group of men taking part in the games greatly decreased to seven men who would take part in the hunt, which was the last game.

Dante had a small break to speak with Ophelia.

"You are in the lead," Ophelia said, excited. She resisted the urge to jump for joy. "I think they can’t catch up to you, no matter what animal they hunt. You are deserving of a drink. Some water," Ophelia instructed Alice. "Now isn’t the time for you to slack. Should you eat?"

Ophelia thought Dante should be fed, but then she thought of the chance the food might not sit well in his body. There wasn’t time for Dante to relieve himself.

"Are you concerned about me or the win?" Dante inquired.

"Both. I am less worried about your body since you were rarely touched by the opponents. If only you could have witnessed the way your sword collided with your opponent’s swords. Like this," Ophelia motioned with her hands.

"The men you knocked out of the event were grumbling about how unfair it is for you to join them. I was close to throwing my shoe at them, but I must be a lady," Ophelia said.

Dante lowered his head as he smiled. "How lucky they are to escape death by your shoe. I noticed you had visitors."

"You were watching while you competed?" Ophelia asked, surprised. "How talented of you."

With how focused Dante appeared when he was fighting others, Ophelia didn’t think he had a moment to spare to keep an eye on her.

"I had to be on the lookout for your wave to be rescued. The hunt will be for a couple of hours, so the sun will set by the time I return to your side. Stay safe-"

"Stay safe," Ophelia said at the same time as Dante. "I know I must stay safe. Even though my legs hurt and I wanted to walk around for a moment, I remained put here. I think my shoes are a little too tight, but they will do for now."

"W-What are you doing?" Ophelia questioned, flustered as Dante bent down to take a look at her shoe.

"You should have told me they were too tight. I got the wrong size. Alice," Dante looked up. "Fletch a pair of shoes for my wife. I don’t care about the price."

"Yes, Lord Hastings," Alice replied, and made haste to track down a pair of shoes.

"Are new shoes needed? The day is almost over, and I will be sitting for the rest of it. I should be more concerned about your shirt. How did you manage to have your shirt cut?" Ophelia questioned, seeing the faintest hole on Dante’s shirt. "It’ll need to be mended."

"Mended? I can toss it when I am done, and you must have good eyesight to see beneath my armour."

"You would toss a shirt made of quality material? It must have cost a lot to be made, and though it has a little tear, it can still be worn," Ophelia said, thinking of the money Dante could save.

"I have been sweating in it all day."

"I was trying to be polite by not bringing it up, but since you spoke of it first, know that there will be warm water waiting for you when you return home. I am a little afraid to sit in the carriage with you once you are out of your armour," Ophelia said, trying to take small steps away from Dante.

Dante noticed what Ophelia was doing and reached for her hand to stop her. He immediately recognised his mistake, but to his surprise, Ophelia laughed.

The moment didn’t last too long as Edward and Althea came up with their servants and guards.

"Lord Hastings, you are causing quite a stir with the other men. You stand tall as a potential victor right now, so the other men are thinking the event is over. Is there a reason you decided to move from the side and disrupt the event this year?" Edward asked, seeking answers for himself.

"It is the first time my wife is here in the capital, so I thought to make it interesting for her," Dante said, going before Ophelia to speak to Edward.

"I see. Since you are thinking of entertaining your wife, why don’t we offer the reward to someone else who is desperate to have it? Give it to the second place," Edward proposed.

"Why should I give away what I have worked hard for? I look forward to having you fulfil my request. Whoever loses this year should learn from their mistakes and work hard for the next year. I won’t take part in the next event," Dante promised.

Dante saw through Edward’s plans. He wanted Nigel to be the one to get the reward. Of all the men still in the game, Nigel had the best chance of coming in second.

After what Nigel said about Ophelia, Dante wouldn’t give away his reward even if Ophelia didn’t want it anymore.

"Well, I won’t force you. You must start getting your arrows ready for the hunt. Since you will be gone for many hours, my wife wants to welcome Lady Hastings to sit with her and the other ladies. I shall be near to watch over them," Edward said, trying to get a glimpse of Ophelia.

"It is a kind offer, but my wife is well where she sits. She is a bit tired, so she wants to rest here. I hope the queen can accept my sincere apologies for my wife remaining where she is now," Dante said, being the one to deny, so Ophelia wouldn’t bear the consequences.

"Lady Hastings has only spoken to one lady today. She didn’t speak to many at the ball, so everyone still doesn’t know her well. This is the best event for Lady Hastings to move around and get well acquainted with her peers. I suggest she bears the pain and joins me," Althea said, giving Ophelia a look.

Ophelia didn’t mind joining Althea to put the matter to rest, but she didn’t want to be where the king was lurking.

The king didn’t appear to be a kind man who would watch over her for Dante’s sake. He wanted her alone for other reasons, and Ophelia would hit him in a place where it would greatly hurt if Edward were to be out of line.

"I have to follow my husband’s wishes. I will find time to meet with the other ladies, but for now, I must sit down," said Ophelia.

"The ladies are seated elsewhere. I would not be so evil as to make you stand," Althea said, fighting not only for what Edward yearned for, but obedience from Ophelia.

Dante wrapped his arm around Ophelia’s waist and pulled her close without warning. "I want my wife where I can see her. You’ll have to excuse my possessiveness, Your Majesty."