Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 99: Misunderstood (2)

"Mr Lowe. What a pleasure it is to meet you," Ophelia curtseyed, avoiding shaking Alistair’s hand. "You should greet your niece. After all, she is the reason you are here."

"I am here for my niece, but I am also here to speak to Lord and Lady Hastings. Thanks to your union, I no longer have to worry about my home being destroyed by war or my loved ones being hurt. Thank you," Alistair said, still waiting for Ophelia to shake his hand.

"You mean my home? The home my father would want me to have," Victoria argued.

"You’ll have to excuse my niece, Lady Hastings. She doesn’t know when to speak and when not to. What could a woman possibly know about caring for a large home, Victoria? What could you have done to look after the men loyal to your father?" Alistair asked, laughing at Victoria’s childish behaviour.

"The very men you said I could not lead left my father’s home right after you set foot in it. You have not succeeded in replacing my father, so do not look down on me," Victoria said, clenching her fist.

Alistair looked at Ophelia since Victoria was a bore. "She doesn’t think I know best, but in time she will understand. I hope you can guide her, Lady Hastings."

"There’s nothing for me to guide. I am curious what you think should happen if my husband were to die and leave the castle in my hands. Do you think a relative should come in and push me out?" Ophelia asked, having already made up her mind about Alistair.

"Why, yes. The castle would need a new lord. Unless you are with a child and it is a boy, what reason would we have to let you be the one to govern it alone? Fear not, for there should be a new roof placed over your head and a comfortable allowance for you to survive," said Alistair.

Ophelia smiled, not offended by Alistair’s words. "It amuses me to hear of how you expect us to raise your children whilst you are out doing as you please, but we cannot run a household without a man beside us."

"I would think raising a child requires more sense than running a home. We can shape the future of this kingdom, but not run a home. How sensible," said Ophelia.

"It is within your nature to know how to take care of a child. A woman has her duties, and men have others. That is why I needed to step in to help my niece. She would not have thrived alone and denied my help to marry her off. She has sullied her name," Alistair said, looking down upon Victoria.

"Lord Hastings," Alistair said, facing the man who ruined his plans. "Is it unpleasant for your wife to be in the presence of your lover? Unless Lady Hastings doesn’t know."

"Victoria isn’t my lover. You won’t succeed in starting any drama here," Dante said as he brushed by Alistair.

"She is not your lover. How interesting," Alistair chuckled. "That has always been the excuse for why she turned away the men I selected for her to wed. If that is the truth, then my niece must return to my care. It is my duty to marry her off before she sullies herself even more."

"My father wouldn’t have wanted you in his home, and you know it. You were a coward who couldn’t join him in the war and only showed your face after he died. You’re nothing more than a lackey who carries out the king’s wishes," Victoria said, angered by her uncle acting as though he cared for her.

Alistair smiled, but beneath that smile was anger.

Victoria only embarrassed the family. It was somewhat useful when others spoke of her being Dante’s lover and potential future bride, but now Dante was married, and Victoria was being pushed to the side.

Alistair ignored Victoria’s insults and instead spoke to Dante. "Are we going to have our talk by the door? It is rather impolite for me not to be welcomed inside, or did you both bring me from my home for this?"

"We will sit," Dante said, leading the way.

Victoria was fuming inside, but she soon remembered her plans and tried to calm herself. She couldn’t let her emotions get the best of her, or her talk with Alistair wouldn’t get anywhere.

Ophelia waited for Alistair to follow Dante so he wouldn’t be left with Victoria, and walked alongside Victoria.

"You don’t have to do this for me," Victoria said, not in need of more of Ophelia’s kindness.

"Don’t direct your feelings toward me. Stay focused on your uncle and keep calm, no matter how much his words upset you. Men like him enjoy seeing that you become flustered. If you can’t handle one conversation without snapping, you’ll prove his point that you weren’t worthy to look after your father’s home," said Ophelia.

"You don’t understand. Seeing him just makes me-"

’Want to strangle him or do much worse? I have been surrounded by my enemies as of late, and despite what I wanted to do, I knew to wait. Your moment to get even will come, but for now, show that he cannot upset you. Speak your mind and don’t let him silence you because you are a woman. Prove him wrong," Ophelia advised Victoria.

"I forgot you have your troubles with your family as well. I apologise for being so dismissive," said Victoria.

"I wasn’t bothered by it. I understand why you can’t control your emotions. I only met your uncle now, and already I hate him. I take it he was going to marry you off to men who weren’t suited for you," Ophelia said, glaring daggers at the back of Alistair’s head.

"He was. He was making a mockery of who I would wed. Men other than me or without any wealth to care for me. He just wants me out of the way so I may suffer and die. He’s evil," Victoria said, wishing Alistair would drop dead.

"Lady Hastings," Alistair said, slowing down to walk beside Ophelia. "Easy there, Lord Hastings. I only wanted to speak to your wife. I have heard many good things about you during my time in the palace."

"Have you? I can’t imagine the Valthorns would have much to say," Ophelia replied.

"The Valthorns? No, I spoke with the king. He seems to think highly of you, and knowing that, I hope I can be close-"

Ophelia didn’t harbour any pity for Alistair as Dante grabbed him by his shirt. He deserved whatever followed.