Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 79: Victory (2)

"Why, thank you. It is time someone other than Theo noticed how wonderful I am. Instead of being so concerned about my feet, you should send someone for food and water since you had a tiring day. Why is it that with so many people present, there wasn’t much food around? Only drinks," Ophelia said, disappointed.

"The king’s tent has plenty of food. I am allowed to take the animals I hunted, so we shall have a feast. Though you won’t be able to eat much of it," Dante said as he stood up.

"Why not?" Ophelia frowned.

"We have to explore the town in the morning, and it is already a hard task to wake you in the morning if you have your belly full of dinner the night before. I am trying to help you," Dante said, leaning back so he could be away from danger.

"I know you are not trying to help me. You are teasing me. I cannot be the only one who sleeps well after having a good dinner. It feels like I am catching up on a year’s worth of sleep. All your hard work cannot go to waste, so I shall enjoy the feast. Perhaps I should remarry a hunter," Ophelia considered.

Dante’s smile fell into a frown. "What?"

"Well, food would still need to be put on the table, and I have never hunted a day in my life, so a hunter for a husband would be wonderful. It is only a thought," Ophelia said before Dante questioned her further. "I am not planning to remarry. Once is enough for me."

"Do you not think I wouldn’t provide you with enough money that you could buy meat?"

"I am grateful for what you would give, but I will never be able to shake wanting to do what is cheaper. The money you offer will have to last us a lifetime. Where I can cut corners, I will do so," Ophelia said, wanting to avoid running out of money.

It might be best that I learn how to hunt whilst in your care, or learn how to raise animals. Do you not think it is wise?" Ophelia asked, genuinely wanting his opinion.

"At this point, I think it is wise for you to stay in the castle. There is plenty of food and space for us not to cross paths," Dante said, receiving laughter in response from Ophelia.

"I would not like to be in your castle once we are no longer married. You will need an heir, whether you want children or not, which means a mother is to be present," Ophelia said, pointing out Dante’s unfortunate future.

"Besides, I don’t want to be in the presence of your mother when I am no longer your wife. Forgive me, but I just might strangle her," said Ophelia.

"I won’t need a mother for the child I take into the castle, and my mother will stay where she is now. She doesn’t like the idea of me picking an heir instead of having one," Dante revealed as he stood up.

"I don’t quite understand it as well. Why is it that you don’t want a child who is your flesh and blood? It is what everyone yearns for. Is there any way you believe you cannot have children?" Ophelia asked, puzzled by what Dante wanted to avoid.

"I want a family trait to end with me. That is all I can share," Dante answered.

Ophelia thought of Dante’s illness, which Victoria was so concerned about. "If you are sick, it must be that you don’t want a child to inherit it. It is good that you don’t want an innocent soul to suffer. I wish I could say one day your mother would understand it."

"Like my brother, I shall wish for your illness to get better," Ophelia said, wanting better for Dante. "Well, if you are sick. I don’t know what it is you are afraid to pass on, but I hope you get better. I won’t pry into your life."

"Ophelia-"

"Lord Hastings," Rick entered the tent. "The king is here to speak to you. Aside from Nigel, the other men have come out."

"I will be out," Dante answered, annoyed that his talk with Ophelia was disturbed.

Ophelia reached for her shoes. "I will have to wear them for a moment."

"No, you will remain seated. I will speak to the king alone and send Alice in with the shoes," Dante said as he walked to the entrance of the tent.

Dante stepped out just as Edward was going to walk in.

"There you are, Lord Hastings. The man of the hour. How rude of you to hide when everyone wants to speak of your victory," Edward said, going close to Dante. "Nigel Valthorn hasn’t come out yet, but unless he has caught some magical creature, I am told he cannot win. I can’t keep my guests waiting for long. You shall be the victor."

In the crowd, Joel watched with envy.

This was Joel’s moment to parade Nigel as the victor.

"My king," Joel stepped forward, putting a halt to the moment. "My son hasn’t made an appearance, and there is a bit of time left for the game. Shouldn’t we wait to see what he has caught before we declare Lord Hastings the winner?"

"I have spoken to the others, and when last they saw your son, they didn’t see any catch in his hands. Many have gathered here since the sun rose in the sky. Must we keep them waiting?" Edward asked, his confidence in Nigel long gone.

"If you are confident your son can bring us a catch far better than Lord Hastings, I am willing to wait."

"I understand your position, but it would save you the trouble of having to pick another winner should my son bring back a bountiful catch. To end the event early, guards should be sent to retrieve my son. It is a little unusual that he has not returned with his peers," Joel said, looking at Dante as the source of Nigel’s disappearance.

"To be fair, I shall wait for your son to return. In the meantime, you should reconsider what I spoke of. About the reward," Edward whispered to Dante. "What more can a man who has everything want? You should be satisfied with what you have now, or you will be seen as too greedy."

"How fitting. Had this been told to Lord Valthorn, there wouldn’t have been a war. If I am named the winner, it is only fair that I be handed the reward. I worked for it," Dante said, standing firm on his decision.

Edward didn’t like the stubbornness Dante inherited from his father. His word was final, yet Dante always had a way of challenging it.