Ophelia got dressed and helped Alice to pack her bags so they would be on ti to leave. As the knights entered the chamber to carry out what belonged to Ophelia, she walked alone down to the carriage, as Alice needed ti to get her bags.
Ophelia enjoyed one last stroll throughout the mansion since she wasn’t certain when she would visit again. Until Edward died, Ophelia didn’t want to set foot in the capital.
"Lady Hastings!" Victoria called and rushed to Ophelia’s side. "We should walk together since you are without your maid. Did you sleep well?"
"I did. Did you?" Ophelia asked, trying to be polite. "It looked like you were frightened by what occurred last night."
"I was," Victoria confessed. "That is not what I thought would happen at dinner. A little warning would have been good. Did you know it was going to happen?"
Ophelia nodded her head. "I did. It was expected since they were turning their backs on him and were eventually going to share his secrets with Joel. Dante cannot take any chances."
"No, he cannot. There is sothing I want to confess to you. Hopefully, Dante hasn’t spoken of it to you. When I t with my uncle yesterday, the topic shifted to you and a letter. He said that you have been plotting with Lord Valthorn, and he had letters to prove it," Victoria shared.
"Letters? I cannot-"
"You must let finish first," Victoria stopped Ophelia. "I had my doubts after what I saw that you would work with Lord Valthorn, but I wanted to see the letters. If there was so chance you had been deceiving Dante all along, then I needed to see it. I was going to give it to Dante."
"You must be telling this because it didn’t go well when you shared it with Dante, right? What more did you do? It couldn’t be that that is the only reason he got upset with you. I would have done the sa," Ophelia admitted.
If anyone spoke of Victoria plotting against her, Ophelia would want to see it since Victoria’s actions thus far were not trustworthy.
Victoria held Ophelia’s hand, relieved that soone understood her.
Ophelia looked down at where her hand was held captive. "You didn’t answer ," she said.
"He doubted because I didn’t tell him right away. I wasn’t aware that you couldn’t write well. If I did, I wouldn’t have doubted you. I do admit it was wrong not to share it right away. That was my mistake," Victoria confessed.
"It was. Surely once you explain yourself, he will understand you. You don’t have anything to fear," Ophelia said, pulling her hand out of Victoria’s hold.
"There is more."
Ophelia sighed. "Of course there is. It would be best for you to say it all at once instead of in pieces. I must get to the carriage."
"My uncle knows of the king’s interest in you. He wanted to have an outing with you, where he would take you in exchange for offering my father’s ho back to . It was a tempting offer, but you must understand that I would have never gone through with it. He cannot be trusted," said Victoria.
"I see why he is upset now. What you spoke of with your uncle was rather urgent. If soone spoke of taking you away, I would speak of it right away to plan to avoid it. Why didn’t you share it with him or when I stood by the door with you?" Ophelia asked, frustrated that Victoria lacked urgency.
"I was comforting you before and after you spoke to your uncle. I was plotting his death because he is an annoying bastard. I stood beside you when you saw him off, and right then, you couldn’t tell of his plans? Now I know why you asked if I write to my family," said Ophelia.
"You said that if you were in my shoes, you would have wanted to see proof," Victoria reminded Ophelia.
"That I could understand, but not staying silent when soone is plotting to kidnap . Even if you cannot trust , always tell Dante. I am not going to upset myself with your troubles. I have my own troubles to worry about, so if you would please excuse ," Ophelia said, wanting to get to the carriage.
"I need your help. When we return to the castle, Dante wants to send to be with his mother. I truly was going to speak of what my uncle shared with , but I was going to wait until dinner. If you could have a word with him to settle his anger, I would appreciate it," Victoria said, her hopes up.
"Why does it feel like you only know how to speak up when you desire sothing? I am not going to get in the middle of your troubles with Dante. If you can’t convince him to let you stay, how are you going to fight your uncle? Perhaps you should let go of your childhood ho," Ophelia suggested.
"Would you take this kindly if I told you to forget about your brother?’
"The difference between you and is that I don’t stray away from what I want. I always thought of how to get my brother, and when a chance ca, I took it. My brother is now set to co to the castle," Ophelia said, proving the result of her determination.
"Eventually, war will co again, and when it does, your uncle might be killed. I suggest you stop fighting your uncle and let the war take him. Then, you can get your father’s ho because what you are doing now is not working. Leave it to Dante," Ophelia advised Victoria.
"I will get back to my father’s ho by fighting for it. I know you think of as so spoiled lady, but I assure you that I can be just as cunning as everyone else," said Victoria.
"I am aware of how cunning you can be. You poisoned yourself just to stay in the castle, and I was placed in the dungeon for it. You only seem to succeed when your jealousy is at play, so why don’t you imagine your uncle is in love with Dante? Good day," Ophelia said, excusing herself from Victoria’s side.
Ophelia wanted to use the long trip to plan what would be done for Theo’s arrival, not worry about Victoria.
"Thomas," Ophelia greeted her guard as he ca to her side. "I want a peaceful trip. No one is to disturb ."
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