Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 77: Caught (3)
Ophelia grew anxious as she awaited signs of Dante’s return from the woods.
"Must they be in there so long?" Ophelia asked, seeking answers from Thomas.
"It usually goes on into the night. So far, no doctors have been sent inside, so no one has been found wounded. Lord Hastings will come out soon, but if he doesn’t, I must take you to the carriage and escort you home. The king and queen have not stopped staring at you," Thomas informed Ophelia.
"I know," Ophelia replied, trying to avoid looking in their direction. "Before it gets dark, I will go to the carriage if Dante isn’t out. I know it is better to ambush us during the night. Just a little longer," Ophelia whispered, hoping Dante would soon come out.
Ophelia had been watching the woods closely whilst also keeping an eye on her surroundings. Joel was still lingering close by, and Ophelia didn’t want to be alone with him.
"You haven’t changed your shoes. Lord Hastings won’t be pleased by the state of your feet when he sees you," Alice said, trying once more to change Ophelia’s shoes.
"My feet are fine. I don’t know what to do," Ophelia bit her lip. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"I can leave a man behind to send word of Lord Hastings’ return. It is best that I take you from here now, Lady Hastings. We must leave whilst the king is distracted before he asks you to stay," Thomas whispered.
"Very well," Ophelia replied, turning away from where Dante was meant to walk out. "Prepare the carriage and have me know when it is time to move. We can’t be caught by the king’s guards."
"My Lady. Lord Hastings is out!" Alice exclaimed, pointing to where she spotted him.
Ophelia swung around so fast she almost tripped. She frantically searched for Dante, and when she found him at the front of his guards, she sighed in relief.
"He is out," Ophelia said, her worries going away. "We can wait."
"It looks like Lord Hastings got good catches. None of the other men has returned, so Lord Hastings will likely win. The others must be out by the time the horn is blown a second time," Alice informed Ophelia.
"The other men do not matter. I am relieved to see that he is out of the woods. I want to go down," Ophelia said, keeping her eyes on Dante.
"Lady Hastings," Victoria greeted Ophelia with a curtsey. "I will join you to see Lord Hastings."
"Do as you wish," Ophelia answered as she walked by Victoria.
Victoria allowed Ophelia to go first and followed closely to meet with Dante.
Victoria looked over her shoulder at where the queen sat. She heard from the other ladies that Ophelia was foolish to decline a seat with the queen. Since Ophelia made a grave mistake, Victoria was forced to step in to put Althea in a better mood.
Ophelia made it down to where Dante handed his catches to the judges.
"You have come back without an arrow sticking out of you," Ophelia said, giving Dante a look over. "Well done," she applauded him.
"I cannot rid you of my presence just yet. Hopefully, this should be enough," Dante said as he took off his armour. "Did anyone trouble you?"
"I was approached to speak with a few others, but I declined. I might have made a mess by declining to sit with the queen after all. I’m sorry," Ophelia apologised before someone twisted the story.
Victoria stepped forward. "I have been at the queen’s side trying to make up for it. She is not happy with Lady Hastings’ actions lately, but I shall do you a grand favour and calm her. Don’t worry, Lady Hastings. Consider it my token of peace."
"Don’t bother yourself trying to calm the queen. Gather what you need and prepare to depart when the winner is declared," said Dante.
"Surely you have won. I have overheard many of the men placing secret bets, and they have placed you as the winner. I regret not joining the bets in secret. The king would have to be a fool to declare someone else the winner," Victoria said, but she didn’t trust the king.
Victoria tried to stay close to the royals to hear what the king was plotting, but she was distracted by other ladies questioning her relationship with Dante now that Ophelia had arrived.
"It is not too late for surprises. Are you well?" Dante asked, more concerned about Ophelia’s well-being.
"That is a question I should have for you. You should go see a doctor to ensure that you are well. Then, we may speak of how I might be faring. Did you get around without coming across anyone?" Ophelia asked, taking a look at where the men were to exit.
"I crossed paths with Nigel Valthorn, but nothing happened. He didn’t have any kills unless he hid them, so he might wait until the very moment to show himself," Dante answered.
Ophelia stared at Dante, waiting for him to tell the truth. Surely he didn’t think she would believe the story about crossing paths with Nigel, but there wasn’t any conflict between the two men.
"I will help my husband to get undressed and search for any bruises. Thomas, no one is to disturb us, and you must oversee that none of the animals presented to be judged go missing. Do you remember the number?" Ophelia questioned Dante.
"Six."
"Then if one goes missing, no matter how little, someone will have to provide an explanation to the king and to my husband. Please excuse us for a moment," Ophelia said, holding onto Dante’s arm to pull him away. "Is there somewhere you can get changed in private?"
"I have a little tent. I can take off my armour here, but if you want to strip me down and inspect every inch of me, I shall offer you my tent," Dante said in an effort to put Ophelia in a better mood.
"If you want to strip before anyone, I can send for a doctor or for a lady who would quite enjoy seeing you get undressed whilst I wait outside. Tell me, sweet husband, what would you prefer?" Ophelia inquired, squeezing Dante’s hand.
"There is a little voice telling me that I should tread lightly," Dante answered.
"You should listen to that little voice. It is trying to save you from upsetting your wife. I am thankful that you weren’t injured there. I was worried," Ophelia confessed. "I am even more worried because of the king’s expression now."
