Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 78: Victory (1)

Ophelia entered the tent with Dante and turned her back to him. "Take off your armour. I don’t believe the story you told me. He wouldn’t have missed the chance to harm you if he crossed paths with you."

"There is clothing beneath my armour. You don’t need to be so shy,’ said Dante.

"I am being respectful. I will assume you lied because others were around, but now, you and I should be on the same page. Did your hunt go without any trouble?" Ophelia asked, turning slightly to look at Dante.

"There was a conversation, but nothing worth worrying about happened. I am more concerned about your time when I left you. What did the queen or king say to you that led to you walking away?"

"I did not like how the queen pushed her husband’s actions onto me. She is blaming me for getting his attention when I find it to be uncomfortable. I know that she cannot go against him, but to be upset with me is wrong. Can anyone outside hear us?" Ophelia asked, looking at the shadows outside the tent.

"My guards will send away anyone they suspect is eavesdropping. I am not angry with you for walking away from the queen. Her actions cannot be compared to those of her husband, but she harms the women he goes after. I look forward to returning home. Do you?" Dante asked, trying to extend their talk.

Dante stood facing Ophelia as he undressed.

"I am most excited for the king rewarding you, but I would like to go home. The capital doesn’t suit me, and since many here have seen me as your wife, I cannot settle down here with Theo. It seems that I might be inclined to accept your offer. Are you not done?" Ophelia asked, sneaking another glance.

Ophelia turned around, tired of taking little glances.

"What happened to being respectful?"

"I was forced to undress before you on our wedding night. I am owed in making you do the same. There isn’t any blood," Ophelia noticed.

"I wasn’t injured," Dante replied.

"I was watching all your matches, and it looked like you got hit a few times. Your armour must be quite strong. Is it heavy?" Ophelia wondered, going toward Dante’s helmet.

Dante stepped aside so Ophelia could get to the table he placed the helmet on. "For others, it is heavy, but it was made to suit me. Some of the other men in my army wear armour that weighs the same. Most prefer lighter armour."

Ophelia picked up the helmet and weighed it. "I suppose when you are strong, the weight wouldn’t matter. There are a few dents in it, but it is still good for another fight. You destroyed the armour of one of the men you fought against. The sound of it breaking was terrifying."

"Many of the men you watched today have never been a part of war. This gathering was more of a show than a real fight," Dante explained.

"I see. Well, I quite enjoyed it. I enjoyed seeing you fight and how upset you made the men around you. They should train harder for the next gathering. I will leave you now so you may get dressed," Ophelia said, done with her inspection.

"Or, you can sit," Dante offered, motioning to a chair. "There is some time left for the others to return and for the king to announce the winner. You’ll be safe from prying eyes here."

"Very well," Ophelia agreed.

Ophelia walked to the makeshift chair and sat down.

Dante looked away from Ophelia momentarily, but his gaze quickly fell back on her.

"What, what are you doing?" Ophelia questioned as Dante came to kneel before her.

"You didn’t change your shoes," Dante said, taking it upon himself to take off her shoes.

"Oh. I didn’t have time for it, and since I was sitting, they didn’t hurt too much. I am good at making use of what doesn’t fit me. There must be blood, so don’t touch them," Ophelia said, trying to chase his hands.

Dante continued to take both shoes off and set them aside. "What could have been so important that you tortured yourself with these shoes?"

"My husband was hunting with men who wouldn’t miss the chance to kill him, and I was being watched by people we both dislike. I had greater concerns than shoes. Thank you," Ophelia said, moving her feet from Dante’s hold after he took off her shoes. "I’ll have Alice bring the new pair when it is time to leave."

"I won’t allow you to leave until you switch shoes. I wish you weren’t so afraid of those two. Nigel and Joel," Dante clarified.

"I’ve lived with them for many years. I wasn’t always this height, so they towered over me, and it made them scarier. I wouldn’t have endured Joel’s punishments if I weren’t so rebellious. Sometimes, I was so stubborn that it cost me a great deal of pain," Ophelia said, laughing off the past.

"And Nigel?" Dante inquired.

Ophelia’s laughter ceased. "Nigel is worse than his father. He never had a reason to punish me; he just liked doing it. He enjoys seeing others cry and experience pain. Many servants left the castle because he would torment them. Joel has covered up plenty for his children."

"Did your mother know all of this?"

"She did, but she didn’t speak up. Why would she, when someone else had to bear her husband’s anger and her stepson’s awful hobby? I was her sacrifice so she could be free of their anger. You don’t have to think of her as my mother because I don’t," said Ophelia.

"You once told me you understand how hard it is to hate your mother," Dante said, thinking of a conversation they had in the castle.

Ophelia nodded her head. ’"As bad as they are, they are still our mothers, and when you only have one parent, you think you need to put up with their actions. Luckily for me, I snapped out of it. I couldn’t create anymore excuses to make myself believe I should still love her."

Ophelia looked down at the palm of her hand. "I think Theo still bears some love for her. We don’t talk about it often. I want him to see the truth, but I don’t want to spoil it for him. I am fine now," she said, trying to save the spoiling mood. "I don’t need a mother. I don’t need too much family."

"It is their loss. I think you are quite wonderful," Dante said, thankful he gained what the Valthorns couldn’t cherish.