Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 166: Reunion (1)

One day turned into three with Lord Hastings remaining lying on his bed.

Ophelia didn’t lose hope as Dante continued to show signs of life. She thought of visiting Ester to get an answer, but knew Ester was going to respond in the same manner as before.

While the castle was safe for Dante, Ophelia didn’t want to step out of it and leave him under the watch of others.

Ophelia once again remained at Dante’s bedside, but this time, she held a book in her hands. Ophelia continued with her studies since she wanted to surprise Dante with her improvement when he woke up.

A knock on the door disturbed the silence in the chamber.

Ophelia set her book aside and stood up to see who was at the door.

Ophelia opened the door and was immediately puzzled by Alice’s excitement. "What has placed you in a good mood, Alice? Have you finally beaten Thomas?"

"Lady Hastings, we have visitors. I have received news that Lady Valthorn and your brother are to arrive at the castle shortly. I ran to inform you," Alice said, excited to see light in Ophelia’s eyes after days of being depressed.

Ophelia’s eyes widened.

In the last few days, it had not crossed Ophelia’s mind that Theo would soon be arriving. She had been so fixed on tending to Dante that she forgot all about her plans.

"I must- Oh," Ophelia stopped and looked back at Dante. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"I will look after him in your place," said Alice.

"I will be back soon. Thomas," Ophelia said, turning to Thomas, who stood off to the side. "The guests from the Valthorn castle will not be allowed near the dungeon and my husband’s chamber. They are to have an escort from the castle wherever they roam."

"Understood," Thomas replied.

"I also need you to find the head maid and instruct her to warn all the maids against speaking of not seeing Lord Hastings. Even to our guests, it must appear that my husband is busy. News of his state mustn’t get out of the castle. I should have been preparing," Ophelia said, faulting herself.

"You have been at Lord Hastings’ side, and when you were not, you have been looking after the castle. You haven’t had a moment to yourself, so please, don’t be harsh on yourself. The two of us will do all that you need whilst you, the visitors, are busy. You must use us," Alice said, thinking now to be the best time for Ophelia to trust others.

"Very well," Ophelia agreed, knowing she couldn’t do everything alone.

"What are you waiting for, Milady? Your brother awaits you," Alice said, tempted to nudge Ophelia forward. "Lord Hastings is in good hands."

Ophelia held onto the sides of her dress and lifted them to help her run. Ophelia smiled, her day brightening up now that she would get to see Theo.

Thomas ran behind Ophelia, wanting to ensure she made it to the gates without collapsing. He overheard the whispers that Lady Hastings had not been eating well.

Ophelia ran out to the gates, unaware that Thomas was behind her.

Ophelia took deep breaths, trying to catch her breath when she came to a stop at the large doors. She arrived just in time to see the carriages enter the gates.

The moment she had longed for had finally come.

Ophelia ran down the steps, towards the carriage she knew belonged to Dante. She didn’t wait for the guards to offer to open the doors and opened them herself.

Inside, Theo sat with his head resting against the door.

"I know that you are not sleeping, Theo. It is the same trick you do when you don’t want to take your medicine. I will leave you in here if I must," Ophelia said, waiting for Theo to drop the act.

Theo smiled, but he didn’t open his eyes.

"I got you," Ophelia said, entering the carriage. "You cannot trick me, Theo. I know all of your acts," she said, pulling Theo close for a hug. "I have missed you so much," she said, giving his arm a little squeeze.

The warmth of Theo’s body confirmed that he was truly present, and this wasn’t a dream.

Theo opened his eyes as he embraced Ophelia. "I have missed you as well. It is good to see that the castle isn’t on fire. Did you not find what you needed to start one?"

Ophelia chuckled and closed her eyes to stop her tears. "I don’t need to light a fire. This is our home now. Am I too heavy for you? I might have gotten carried away," she said, backing away from Theo.

Ophelia opened her eyes and wiped the tears that slipped out. She palmed Theo’s face with her hands and inspected him.

Seeing his sunken face, Ophelia wanted to cry again.

"Did you not eat without me there?" Ophelia asked, worried all her fears had happened.

"Of course I ate. With you gone, there was more for me to eat. Wipe your tears," Theo said, using his thumb to wipe away Ophelia’s tears. "You were the one who said our reunion would be a happy one."

"I am happy. I can be happy and cry. You have little idea of how happy I am to see you well. Tell me, did anyone trouble you while I was away? Don’t hide any of it from me," Ophelia said, needing to know if Theo was mistreated.

"I have much to tell you, but first, you must cast your attention to your enemy," Theo said, reminding Ophelia of Giselle’s presence. "I have a feeling she is plotting, but I don’t know what it is. You must be on your guard."

"I know her visit would come with danger, but I am prepared for it. We are no longer in the Valthorn castle, where they can mistreat us. You shall be treated well here. I have prepared fine clothes for you," Ophelia said, taking notice of the clothes Theo wore.

Theo was dressed in the old clothes Ophelia once had to mend.

"Are you two not done yet? One would think you have not seen your brother in ages with how you act," Giselle said, bringing attention to herself. "Where is Lord Hastings? I hope he is mindful of who has come to his castle and will come to greet me."

Ophelia exited Theo’s carriage to allow the knights to help move him.

Ophelia’s smile vanished when she faced Giselle. "Lord Hastings is quite busy at the moment, so I shall be the one to give you a tour. You shouldn’t take his absence as an invitation to misbehave."

Giselle didn’t believe the excuse Ophelia came up with. She laughed, no longer jealous of Ophelia.

"I see that your time in the capital was all an act. Your mother and brother are present, yet your husband cannot grace us with his presence," Giselle said, finding joy in Ophelia’s misfortune. "Ophelia, dear. Should I tell you how to make a man love you?"

Giselle reached for Ophelia, wanting to touch her hair, only to be faced with a sword appearing between them.

Ophelia didn’t react when Thomas responded to protect her. "You are a glorified nanny. If I want help on becoming a nanny, I would turn to you. Knowing how to make a man fall in love with you is a lesson you have yet to learn; therefore, you cannot teach me."