Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 253: Switching fates (1)

"You have captured him? Why did no one think to wake me for this important matter?" Ophelia asked, looking back and forth between Alice and Thomas for an explanation.

"I wanted to wake you, but Thomas said we should let you rest. We have been speaking about it for the last hour or so," Alice explained, ready to place the blame on Thomas.

"Because it will take some time for Lord Valthorn to be brought from where he was caught to the castle. That is why I did not want to wake you before he was here," Thomas said, hoping not to be in trouble.

"I see. Are you well, Thomas? Alice told me that you were injured," Ophelia said, focusing on the issue at hand.

"I am well. I have faced worse battles than the one in the kitchen. We searched the castle and gathered those who appeared suspicious. They are being questioned as we speak. If you are still tired, you can rest," said Thomas.

"I have rested enough and now, I need food since I have skipped out on it for far too long," Ophelia said, touching her belly as it started to make noise. "Could someone bring me food, and Alice, could you prepare me warm water? I would like to soak in it for a moment."

"Yes, Lady Hastings. I shall have the maids prepare the water and bring it up," Alice said and moved to get it done. "I will get your dinner as well."

Ophelia noticed Thomas’s gaze on Alice. "If you fear that she will be attacked, why don’t you go with her, Thomas? I am going to be in my bedchamber until the drowsiness wears off. You might not love her, but I think you cherish her as a friend."

"She didn’t care that I got stabbed. What she cared about was how she could have been killed for taking poison to you," Thomas vented.

"If you are upset that she didn’t show any care, why don’t you speak to her? You can always speak to Alice. I think, though she did not show it to you, she might have been concerned. Alice doesn’t like to show her feelings or admit to them at times," said Ophelia.

"If you don’t go, someone else will need to go. I want Alice to return to me in one piece because I like her, and you did promise to find a guard for her. I trust that you will do what is right," Ophelia said, then retreated to her bedchamber.

Ophelia closed the door after she entered. She looked around the large bedchamber.

It felt lonesome.

Why was she receiving news from everyone but her husband?

"Is he well or not?" Ophelia wondered.

At the very least, Ophelia found comfort in knowing Nigel had been caught. It was one less enemy to worry about.

Ophelia no longer had to be afraid of waking up to news that Nigel might be coming towards the castle to take her.

Ophelia leaned back on the door, taking the moment to have a small celebration.

Both men who had troubled her for many years had reached their end. Though Nigel was yet to die, his death wasn’t far away. He would get the ending he deserved.

Ophelia thought of whether to wait to give Dante his request to see Nigel. For Dante, she could be patient and allow him to see Nigel be killed.

"You must return soon," Ophelia whispered, wishing that somehow Dante could hear her.

Ophelia pushed her body off the door and walked to the bed. Until Thomas and Alcie returned, she would get a bit more rest.

Seeing Nigel when he arrived at the castle would not be easy. Ophelia knew he was going to taunt her and used one final tactic to linger in her mind for the rest of her life, but she would be stronger.

The tables had turned, and now Ophelia was no longer afraid of Nigel. She didn’t need to be silent and allow him to do as he wanted because now she was Lady Hastings. Nigel’s life was in her hands.

Hours later, the men captured from the Valthorn army were brought to the castle. The townspeople safely retreated to their homes now that the war appeared to be over.

Ophelia made her way to the dungeon, followed by Alice and her guards. She wanted to see the state Nigel was in. She wanted to see that he was locked away so she could truly believe the war with the Valthorns was over.

"Nigel, dear. Nigel," Ophelia heard her mother’s voice when she got further into the dungeon.

Of course, Giselle would be concerned about the one she loved so dearly.

"What happened to your father, Nigel? Did all of your army fall? What of Bella? Is she safe?" Giselle asked, desperate for news about the outside world.

Nigel didn’t respond to Giselle. He was in too much pain due to the knights taking hold of him to give him a beating when they captured him.

"Nigel," Giselle said, desperate for an answer. "It is I who speaks to you. You must answer."

"Even now, when he doesn’t care for you, you cling to him. You are never on the right side," Ophelia said, disgusted by Giselle’s behaviour. "You are no longer of use to him, so he doesn’t care for you. A pity you cannot see it."

Giselle turned her attention to Ophelia. She stood up, not wanting to miss her chance. "I have been requesting to speak to you." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"You cannot be awarded an audience with me just because you ask for it. You were once married to a lord. Surely, you understand," Ophelia replied.

"I had much to say to you," said Giselle.

"I am certain you have plenty to say now you realise your side has lost the war. I’m sure you wanted to start anew to save yourself, only to care for him now that he is here. Nothing needs to be said between us," Ophelia said, denying Giselle’s request.

"Ophelia, you must give me a chance to speak to you in private," Giselle pleaded, desperate to get out of the dungeon. "I would live as a commoner if you allow it. We only need to speak and settle our differences."

"I have given you plenty of chances to speak to me, but you wanted to ignore your old life. Do not for a second think I will take pity on you now that you have no one to turn to. This is all the result of your choices. Now," Ophelia said, turning her focus to Nigel. "Is he dead?"

Nigel’s laughter filled his cell. "You have become quite bold. I like it," he said, holding his side as he propped himself up. "How kind of you to let me have a look at you."