"I have not embarrassed myself. Everyone around Lord Hastings respects . It doesn’t bother that he is now married. It is you who doesn’t want near him because he shields from you. Do not think for a second I don’t know what you plot," said Victoria.
"To everyone in his castle, you are a respectable lady, but to others, you are nothing more than a bold whore. I was truly trying to help you, but you claid I was a greedy man. It is ti that you return to where you belong. I have spoken to the king," Alistair shared.
"The king shares my belief that you should be in the care of a relative, not a man you are not married to. You are a lady, and it is ti you act as such. It would be a waste for you to go another year without being married. Find a husband and have his children," Alistair instructed Victoria.
"I will decide my future," Victoria declared. "All I ask is that you return my father’s ho to and leave. Leave without what never belonged to you. Think of my father and what he would have wanted."
"Your father would have wanted to find you a good ho. It is not up for debate any longer. When we return to Lord Hastings’ land, you will co ho, and you will get married to a man I pick for you," Alistair said, his decision final.
"It is as you said. We shall be returning to Lord Hastings’ land, and since it is his land, he has the final say in the judgent, not the king. If I ask to stay in the castle, it will be granted, so you should give up on your plans. I want my mother’s belongings. As a man, you have no use for them," said Victoria.
Alistair agreed with Victoria. "You are right. I did not need them, and my wife didn’t find them to her liking. Had you stayed, you could have claid a few before they were tossed. You aren’t the good daughter you try to portray yourself to be."
Victoria gripped her dress. "You threw away my mother’s belongings? Have you lost your mind? Do you not know how to cherish what was left behind by the dead?"
"No. If you want to know where they are, I suggest you return ho to get the answer. I will only speak to you again when you return ho, so do not write to ," Alistair said as he stood up.
"My father was a well-respected knight. He died defending Lord Hastings and will forever be rembered for it. He ca from a great family, and just as he did, so did my mother. I’ve been silly all this ti thinking of what didn’t matter, but now I have opened my eyes," Victoria said, releasing her hold on her dress.
Alistair chuckled. "Will you turn to your mother’s family? The sa family she was never close to, and the sa family that didn’t co to check on your well-being?"
"They did not need to worry since I was in the care of Lord Hastings. Mark my words, uncle. You will regret the day you oust from my ho. That little girl you t when you ca to take all that belonged to is not present. The next ti we et, I will avenge my father," Victoria promised.
Alistair clutched his stomach as he laughed. "This is why I say you are a silly little girl who knows no better. If you are plotting to use Lord Hastings to kill , then rid yourself of those thoughts. I am protected by the king."
"There is so hope for you by way of Lady Hastings," Alistair said, glancing at the woman who created quite a buzz. "I will return your father’s ho to you if you can get Lady Hastings away from her husband. I shall take care of the rest."
Victoria’s eyes widened. "That-"
"We can get what we both want. I would put the deed in your hand if you do as I ask. You don’t have to separate them now. It could be when you return to his land. One little outing with her without Lord Hastings around is all I need. Along with so notice, of course," Alistair plotted.
"I would never work with you," Victoria declared.
"Would you let your family ho slip out of your hands all for a woman you only t recently? A woman who stole the man I know you wanted to wed? I am close to Lord Valthorn, and despite what she tells you now, she was sent here to learn Lord Hastings secrets. I have proof," said Alistair.
Victoria looked at where Ophelia stood with Dante.
After what Victoria witnessed between Ophelia and the Valthorns, she didn’t believe she was working with them, unless it was a good act Ophelia was doing up until now. If there was proof, it was worth seeing for Dante’s well-being.
"This proof you claim to have. Surely, you do not think I am a fool to et with you elsewhere to see it. Tell what it is," said Victoria.
"A letter from Lady Hastings to Lord Valthorn about how she is faring with their plans. I will have it sent to Hastings Castle along with so of your father’s belongings as a token of my peace. You must get on the right side before it is too late. I would hate to see you perish. Good day," Alistair excused himself.
Victoria watched Alistair walk away. She didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him.
Alistair was trying to use her to get what the king wanted. Victoria knew it well.
This was the first ti he was offering her ho back, so he would expect her to jump at the chance, but Victoria only trusted Alistair would stab her in the back, so she would not go through with his plans.
’I must see this proof,’ Victoria thought.
Victoria needed it to show Dante before his feelings for Ophelia grew too much. If Ophelia was plotting, it needed to be exposed, and if she was not, then all doubts about her would be cleared.
Alistair stopped before Ophelia and Dante on his way out.
"I offer my sincere apologies to Lady Hastings once again. I hope we et again so you can gain a better understanding of the man I am. Don’t judge based on others’ opinions," Alistair requested.
"I assure you that I am judging you based on what I see, not what I am told. My husband will walk you out," Ophelia said, crossing her fingers for Dante to do what she asked.
Alistair needed to be sent off with a gift.
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