Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 84: Haunting memory (1)

Puzzled, Ophelia tried to think of why she would be tied to Dante and why he would be sleeping on the floor.

Despite her need for an answer, Ophelia was now more interested in getting out of the chamber before Dante woke up and they found themselves in an awkward predicament.

Ophelia kept her captive arm still and reached for the knot around her hand.

"Don’t think about it."

Ophelia flinched, startled by the sound of Dante’s voice.

"You are awake," Ophelia said, surprised by this fact.

"I am surprised like you since I didn’t get much sleep thanks to someone. Then she wakes and tries to escape without greeting me," Dante said, opening his eyes. "It is best that you do not drink unless I am by your side."

Ophelia’s lips folded into a thin line. She looked elsewhere, avoiding Dante’s gaze.

Ophelia built the courage to ask, "Why are our hands tied together?"

"They aren’t tied together because you thought the moon looked wonderful and went out to the balcony, leaning so far over that you could have fallen. No, your hands are tied because I took you to your chamber so you could rest, and you went missing," Dante explained.

"You didn’t go missing just once. When we got you back to bed and thought you would be asleep, I was informed by Alice that you were missing again. I sent the knights on a hunt for you, and when we finally found you, you spoke of flying," Dante said, closing his eyes as he thought of the chaotic night.

Never in his life before had Dante needed to convince someone they were not a bird, and he had been around drunk men on several occasions.

"Couldn’t you have tied me to my bed?" Ophelia asked.

"Well, the mere fact that I now know where you hide the knife you use for protection, you would have cut yourself free. Someone had to watch you, and you’ve made Alice panic quite a lot. Think of it as if you have punished her," said Dante.

"I see," Ophelia replied, ashamed of her actions. "I do not recall drinking much. I apologise for my actions last night."

"While it was not the easiest task to watch you, it was the first time you appeared so carefree. Some of the knights have become fond of you, as you made them laugh. If it will make you feel better, you enjoyed the night. You laughed quite a bit," Dante said, her laughter still ringing in his ears.

"It does make me feel a bit better. Why do my lips taste so salty?" Ophelia asked, gently rubbing her fingers across her lips. Her hands moved up to her eyes, and now Ophelia noticed they were puffy. "Did I cry last night?"

"After I tied us together and we were alone, you did. It was for a while," Dante shared honestly. "I won’t speak of it to anyone."

Ophelia rolled to lie on her back. "I am afraid to ask what I cried about."

Silence fell upon the room, and after some thought, Ophelia had to know.

"Was it about Theo?" Ophelia inquired, turning her head to look in Dante’s direction, though she couldn’t see him.

"Some of it was. You certainly love him," Dante answered.

Ophelia tapped her fingers against the blanket beneath her. "And the rest of it?"

"I think the Ophelia who cried before me last night would want it to stay in the past."

"I would like to know how I have embarrassed myself before you. Perhaps this is why I don’t like to cry before anyone. I can’t think of a time I cried in Theo’s presence," Ophelia said, a frown settling on her lips.

"Then, your emotions have been bottled up for years. You cried about being happy and about the people who hurt you. You shared the one time you thought you were most foolish to believe your mother loved you. You said she tried to kill you and your brother to hide her truth about having children from Joel," said Dante.

Ophelia sighed.

This wasn’t a memory she wanted to share with anyone, but since it was out in the open, she could finally share it.

"She found her golden moment to get out of suffering, but Joel just wanted her. I don’t remember much about my life before we went to the Valthorn castle, but I remember that one moment well. I had been watching Theo that day whilst she went out to town. Truthfully, she went to meet Joel," Ophelia said, remembering how the day went.

"She came back, and she was excited, but then she looked at us, and it was like her world stopped. My mother never gave us time to play, but that day she suggested we go for a swim. She carried Theo in her arms while I held onto her dress so I wouldn’t get lost," Ophelia said, an ache pricking at her chest.

"I should have known something was wrong. She was never so happy to play, and then came her game. We were to stay down for as long as we could, and she helped us. Theo was the first one who couldn’t keep going, and she wouldn’t let us up at first, but eventually she did."

"She pulled us up and helped us. She even took us to a doctor and said we were playing too carelessly, which led to us almost drowning. After all these years that went by, she must have thought I forgot about it, but I kept thinking of how she hesitated," said Ophelia.

Dante listened intently to Ophelia.

"She ended up taking us to the castle with her when she was going to marry Joel. I don’t know why a lord married a woman who didn’t have much, but he did. Every day in the castle was awful since she was always with her new family. Whenever I started to think she hated us, I would repeat that day," Ophelia said, closing her eyes.

Ophelia burdened herself by continuing to think of that one day.

"I would think of how she hesitated. Since she hesitated, she had to love us. She couldn’t go through with it, so she must love us," Ophelia repeated what she wanted herself to believe.

"I grew out of being that silly little girl and realised the truth. I must admit that it is a bit comforting to finally share it. That one day has haunted me for years. Theo was too young to think of it. Dante? I hope you are not crying when I am not," Ophelia said, moving to the side of the bed.

Ophelia found Dante staring at the ceiling above them. She couldn’t read his expression.

"You must hate her now. I hate her too," said Ophelia.

"I don’t believe hate is the word for it. There must be a feeling above that. One day, she is going to regret turning her back on you and your brother. I’m certain of it," said Dante.

"I doubt it unless Joel no longer wants her as his wife. It is not to be underestimated how important she wants to feel. Though it appears they are not in a good place," Ophelia said, thinking of Giselle’s desperate look today. "I don’t want to plot to make her regret. I just want to move on and forget her."