Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 188: Trouble (2)

Ophelia reunited with Dante and Theo.

"Did you have fun in the dungeon?" Dante asked, curious about what Ophelia did there.

"There is no fun in going to the dungeon. I did scare Eliza a bit and got to see your mother cry. You might want to avoid the dungeon for a few hours. If you are told about Eliza weeping because I plan to feed her to dogs, pay no attention to it," Ophelia said as she walked by Dante.

"I would like to hear more about why anyone would believe she would be eaten by dogs. Is that how you scared her?"

"Yes. I believe she deserves to think that is the way she will leave this world. What if I had been mauled to death by you?" Ophelia asked, thinking of how her life could have been taken.

"How would you be mauled to death by him?" Theo asked, looking back and forth between the couple. "You have odd secrets."

Ophelia wanted to pat her mouth for forgetting who was near. "It is not as it sounds. It was a silly way to back my decision. Think nothing of it."

"Has he ever bitten you?" Theo asked, still curious about Ophelia’s hand.

How had Ophelia gone from being perfectly fine to her hand being injured the next time he saw her?

"Of course not. I would have bitten him back," Ophelia answered.

"Then, how did you hurt your hand? I watched you as you ate and noticed your face when you moved your hand too much. It cannot be a simple bruise. Tell me the truth," Theo said, suspicious of the pair.

"My hand was injured out of my carelessness. There isn’t anything more to it. You must stop being so suspicious, Theo. I said he is a good man," said Ophelia.

"You would be suspicious if you were in my shoes. I will ignore it for now, but I will keep my eyes on you two. I am ready to leave the castle and explore the land," Theo said, shifting the conversation.

"We will leave once the hour is over. When we return, I will introduce you to the doctor who tended to my hand. I believe she might be able to help you. You only need to meet with her and tell her what you feel in your body," Ophelia said, desperate to have Theo checked.

Ophelia was certain Theo didn’t receive proper care without her being the one to push for it.

"Ophelia, I said I do not want to think of my health," Theo said, annoyed that it was brought up.

Theo wanted to go the day without hearing that he was ill.

"Someone must think of it. You know that if you don’t care for yourself, you will become sick, and it only worsens your condition. You should have a doctor take a look at you to give them time to look into the cause of your illness," Ophelia said, becoming frustrated with Theo’s behaviour.

Ophelia rubbed her temple.

There was far too much on Ophelia’s mind to be arguing with Theo now.

"I am only sending the doctor to ask you questions. I am not asking you to have any medicine now, though you need it. The days are becoming colder, so I cannot have you getting sick. You must listen-"

"No, you must listen!" Theo yelled to silence Ophelia.

Theo regretted snapping once he saw Ophelia’s wounded expression. Her eyes were wide from shock as she didn’t expect him to raise his voice. He knew that she was only trying to help him, but he was tired of hearing about his health.

Ophelia didn’t understand the hostility she felt from Theo. He was used to her trying to help him.

Ophelia bit her tongue.

What was she to say now when others were around?

"I didn’t mean to be loud with you. I’m sorry," Theo apologised, knowing he was in the wrong. He couldn’t fault Ophelia for caring since she didn’t know what he felt. "Ophelia, I-"

"Lord Hastings!" A knight’s calls interrupted the moment.

Theo felt relieved that this wasn’t the time he would tell Ophelia about his wishes to die.

"Urgent news."

Dante left the group to take a letter from the knight’s hand. He opened it and read the letter quickly.

Dante’s eyes widened as he skimmed through the details of the letter. "I will be back to you shortly," he said to the knight.

Dante returned to Ophelia’s side and touched her arm to get her attention. "There is trouble within the palace. The king has fallen ill."

Ophelia looked around, checking that no one was near, then asked, "Is that not good for you?"

"It would be if the crown prince were ill right along with him. The crown prince will carry out the king’s duties until Edward is well again. Something is amiss here," Dante said, but he didn’t have any proof. "If the king has allowed the crown prince to take on his duties, then he must be seriously ill."

Never had Dante heard of Edward giving room for anyone to take on his duties. He was king alone and was doing his best to prevent Sebastian from taking the throne too soon. Edward wanted to rule until he was too weak to sit on the throne.

"Sebastian is unpredictable. He is more dangerous than his father," Dante said, word of Edward’s death would soon be announced. "Then war will come to our doors soon."

"The king appeared well the last time we saw him. How badly would you say the crown prince would like to have the throne? I know nothing of the crown prince, but from what you have said, could this be his doing?" Ophelia asked, suspecting the prince had a role in the king’s health.

"He would go so far as to take his father’s place. We must be ready," Dante said, forced to change his plans.

"Must we stop the outing we had planned?" Ophelia asked, disappointed, but she knew safety came first. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"No. Sebastian cannot act unless the king passes. I will inform the guards at the border to be ready and be prompt in sending me letters. It appears my hand is being forced to work with the duke," Dante said, considering Kaden’s offer.

"You might have to. If Sebastian takes the throne, then Nigel will have a strong ally. I cannot rest well knowing that Nigel would have a king on his side. I will make the outing short," Ophelia decided.

"You may continue your day as planned. This means that I must push forward my plans before Sebastian can be named king. I will meet with the duke and join you in town to escort you home after the outing. You must be careful," Dante said, taking hold of Ophelia’s hand as he leaned forward to kiss her.

"I am present," Theo reminded the pair. "I don’t want to witness this."

"Then close your eyes," Dante replied, peering down upon Theo.

At the moment, Theo had upset Dante with the way he spoke to Ophelia.