Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 217: New beginnings (5)

"Have the servants ever been taught what to do if the castle is under attack?" Ophelia questioned Alice as she walked the hallways.

"We have been told to hide in the castle and be out of the way of the knights. The castle has never been under attack, so we don’t know if hiding works. Since the maids clean the castle, we know good rooms to hide in. I suppose the other servants would try to run out of the castle," Alice said.

"That sounds like too much confusion, and some of them would be caught. I could plan well now to tell them to behave in an orderly fashion, but that would be forgotten under an attack. Are there tunnels leading out of the castle?" Ophelia asked.

"I believe there are, but we aren’t told where they are located."

"I see. He wouldn’t want to take the chance of a spy telling the enemy how to sneak inside. Remind me to ask my husband for the location. It would be useful for either helping everyone to escape or knowing where an enemy can sneak in form," said Ophelia.

"Lady Hastings, should we be concerned about an attack? All morning, you have been speaking of ways to either guard the castle or to find a way out. Isn’t the war over?" Alice asked, hoping it wouldn’t return.

"In the eyes of the kingdom, the war is over, but between the two families, it remains. My marriage did nothing to end the war. After all, I am not a blood daughter of Lord Valthorn. Until one lord is dead, the war continues, but fear not. I am only this way because my husband will soon leave me in charge," Ophelia shared.

"It is going to be longer than when he left to speak to the duke, so I am a bit nervous. I want to be prepared for all that could go wrong, so I am ready for it. He must return to the castle in good order," Ophelia said, determined to do well.

"You mustn’t worry. The changes you have made to the castle have been paying off. The others wondered how you came up with the ideas."

"I worked as a maid in the Valthorn castle, so I know the challenges maids face. This reminds me that I must speak to the head maid. When my husband returns, I am thinking of hosting a ball. A lord should meet with those who occupy his land. Don’t you agree?" Ophelia asked, eager to host her first gathering.

"I do," Alice answered. "The townspeople are always excited to see Lord Hastings, but it has been a long time since they were welcomed into the castle. It was for good reason that outsiders were not allowed in, but I am told the castle used to have visitors."

Ophelia thought the castle must have once been lively before the curse. She saw how everyone stared at Dante in awe when he walked through the market. They loved him now, but if Dante continued to be distant, then that love could change.

"He protects them, but that can be easily forgotten. We should welcome them to the castle to celebrate with us. It will be a little after my husband returns," Ophelia decided.

"The rich families might not be too pleased to attend a ball with the commonfolk," Alice pointed out.

"Then, they should stay at home. This land consists of more than just the wealthy. One of Joel’s flaws was always tending to the rich and ignoring those he deemed useless, yet he expected loyalty from everyone. Everyone must be treated fairly," said Ophelia.

Ophelia slowed down when she noticed Victoria coming towards her.

"Lady Hastings," Victoria greeted Ophelia with a curtsey. "Good morning. I apologise for intruding on your walk, but I request your help. Lord Hastings offered me his mother’s current home. I turned down the offer, but now I would like to take it. Can I?"

"Since it was my husband who made the offer, you should ask him. I don’t know what he intends to do with the home, but giving it to you to use would be best. You should go to him to ask for it," Ophelia advised Victoria. "I wouldn’t mind."

"I wish to go back there by the end of the day. All of my belongings are there, and I am familiar with the servants. I have not given up on my childhood home. I have decided to be patient and wait for my uncle to be killed," said Victoria.

"Hmm. That might happen quite soon. I have not forgotten that your uncle wanted to send me to the king. We shouldn’t have a traitor living so comfortably near the castle. I also heard from my husband that Cecilia was going to work with your uncle. He will be imprisoned for it," said Ophelia.

Victoria’s eyes widened, surprised that Alistair would finally face consequences.

"It appears that Cecilia burned the letters he sent to her, and I know she wouldn’t confess to me while in a dungeon. I would expect a lady like her to hold the letters to use against him," Ophelia said, finding it odd that Cecilia got rid of them.

"I do not think she burned them. I believe she knew that I had been watching her, and each time I entered her bedchamber, she would hide something when she sat at the dresser. I have been taught by Cecilia for many years. She will never get rid of what she can use against you," Victoria said, certain the letters were still present.

"So, the evidence I need might still be in her home," Ophelia said, her mood turning better.

Victoria nodded. "Yes. Cecilia would even keep evidence of what the other ladies did around the town, and she once spoke of having a way to keep the queen in check. If the letters remain, I believe it is inside the dresser unless she knew of Dante’s arrival and destroyed them."

"It wouldn’t hurt to look. With or without them, your uncle is going to end up in the dungeon. If we cannot find the letters, what if you and I work together to trap him? Let us say that you agree to help kidnap me in exchange for your old home," Ophelia suggested.

"The king is ill, but there are few who know of it. We must act fast if we are to trap your uncle. We can have it be that he signs the home over to you. Even if he tries to take it back, I will enforce what he signs. Do you trust me?" Ophelia asked, offering her hand to Victoria to strike a deal.

Victoria accepted the offer. "I do."