Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 230: Unwanted visitor (4)

Ophelia watched as Dante struggled to send the guests off. She knew that while they would listen to Dante, they would not want to leave empty-handed.

Ophelia stood with her arms crossed, thinking about Mary’s sons. They would face relatives trying to pry them from their mother’s arms, all for an inheritance.

Ophelia tapped her fingers against her arms, growing impatient with William’s family not listening to Dante about the inheritance. Dante was trying to be kind with his delivery because of the sensitive time, but Ophelia didn’t share the same feelings.

"Enough of this," Ophelia muttered as she stormed over to where Dante stood to save him. "Have you all no shame? Two boys have lost their father, and all they can hear is their family fighting over what belonged to their father. Must you be so greedy?"

"Greedy?"

"Yes, greedy. Anyone who shows up to pick at what the dead have left behind hours after their death is greedy. You are not thinking of his sons. You are thinking of yourselves. No one is to take anything from this home," Ophelia ordered the group.

"William left behind two boys. There is an heir for everything William once owned to go to. I will not allow you to take even a flower from the heir’s hand. I urge all of you to leave now or face the consequences," said Ophelia.

"Lady Hastings, I am William’s sister, Ruby-"

"Forgive me, but I do not care what relation you had to him. He has children; therefore, there is nothing for anyone to take. By now, you should have given your condolences to his wife and children, so you may leave. If you have not, because you spent the last hour bickering about money, then it is your fault," Ophelia said.

Ruby placed her hand on her chest, appalled by how direct Ophelia was. "We are concerned about how the boys will be raised without a man in the home."

"Will your husband be seeing to the boys every day? Will he spend every passing moment with them?" Ophelia inquired.

"My husband is a busy man, but he shall do his best. A boy cannot be raised by a woman," Ruby argued.

"They will need men in their lives," Ophelia agreed. "But they will be best in their mother’s care. I have no reason to believe their mother won’t have their best interest in mind. This town isn’t short on men. Mary can find a man to tutor them on what it takes to grow into a good gentleman."

"Your concern is not needed. If you truly wanted to help, you would ask to allow your husband to visit the boys to talk with them, not try to take them from their mother. It is time for everyone to leave," Ophelia said, at her wits’ end with the family.

Ophelia could only imagine what Mary faced from the moment guests showed up.

"But Lady Hastings-"

"It is time to go," Ophelia said, standing on her decision.

Ruby looked to Dante for support, but he showed no signs of going against his wife.

"I will come again another day when emotions have been settled," Ruby decided.

Mary stood beside Kaden, surprised that Ophelia was the one to snap and send the guests away.

Mary smiled as she faced Kaden. "Thank you for the offer, but as you can see, I have a friend who knows when to help me. If you would please excuse me, I must help send the guests on their way."

Kaden didn’t respond to Mary. He could only watch as she went to offer support to Ophelia.

"Am I the only one confused?" Kaden asked as Dante walked to him.

"My wife has a lot on her mind, so she doesn’t have patience today. You must keep that in mind before we all sit down to speak. I am afraid of stepping on her shoe today," Dante shared, watching as Ophelia pointed to the door.

"I will keep it in mind. You mustn’t look into how that man died. Leave it be," Kaden spoke as he watched Mary. "If her children fall into one of those bastards’ hands, they won’t be treated well. By the time they are ready to inherit their father’s wealth, there won’t be money left."

"You have taken a strange interest in Mary’s affairs. Why is that?" Dante asked, hoping Kaden wasn’t present to cause trouble. "If you bother Mary, she will speak to my wife, and my wife will force me to address it. I already don’t like you. Don’t make it worse."

"I am not here to court her if that is what you are asking. Once our plans are finished, I am returning to my land. I am helping now because I was in her son’s shoes when Edward killed my family. Everyone claims to have your best interest at heart in wanting to raise you, but they steal from you," said Kaden.

Kaden hoped that the boys would get to be with their mother.

"Oh, is that part of the real reason you came? You wanted to tell Mary to keep sons with her? You could have been honest and said it," Dante said, teasing Kaden.

Kaden frowned, annoyed by Dante’s presence. "I hate you," he said.

"Likewise," Dante replied. "The women have dealt with the guests. It is time we speak."

"Shouldn’t we send her away?" Kaden asked, seeing no reason to let Mary sit with them.

"This is my home. If you want privacy to speak about war, I welcome you to go outside. I gain nothing from speaking of your plans to outsiders, and right now, I owe the Hastings. You are welcome to leave," Mary said, motioning to the door.

"It seems we have no choice but to leave her be," Kaden answered. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Now that the bickering is over, we have important matters to speak about. Joel Valthorn might be dead, and Nigel might be leading an army toward the Hastings. Your Grace, I will need some of your men to stay behind to protect this land. Before you object," Ophelia added as soon as Kaden opened his mouth.

"Know that if Nigel somehow lands a victory against the Hastings castle, he will go toward the palace to help Sebastian. Not only will you need to have your eyes on the palace, but you will have to worry about being surrounded. If you are wise, you would lend us a hand to stop Nigel," Ophelia suggested.

"It is either you show us loyalty and leave behind a few men, or my husband stays to defend his land. There is no in between," Ophelia listed the options. "The decision rests solely in your hands."