Ophelia entered the tent with Dante and turned her back to him. "Take off your armour. I don’t believe the story you told . He wouldn’t have missed the chance to harm you if he crossed paths with you."
"There is clothing beneath my armour. You don’t need to be so shy,’ said Dante.
"I am being respectful. I will assu you lied because others were around, but now, you and I should be on the sa page. Did your hunt go without any trouble?" Ophelia asked, turning slightly to look at Dante.
"There was a conversation, but nothing worth worrying about happened. I am more concerned about your ti when I left you. What did the queen or king say to you that led to you walking away?"
"I did not like how the queen pushed her husband’s actions onto . She is blaming for getting his attention when I find it to be uncomfortable. I know that she cannot go against him, but to be upset with is wrong. Can anyone outside hear us?" Ophelia asked, looking at the shadows outside the tent.
"My guards will send away anyone they suspect is eavesdropping. I am not angry with you for walking away from the queen. Her actions cannot be compared to those of her husband, but she harms the won he goes after. I look forward to returning ho. Do you?" Dante asked, trying to extend their talk.
Dante stood facing Ophelia as he undressed.
"I am most excited for the king rewarding you, but I would like to go ho. The capital doesn’t suit , and since many here have seen as your wife, I cannot settle down here with Theo. It seems that I might be inclined to accept your offer. Are you not done?" Ophelia asked, sneaking another glance.
Ophelia turned around, tired of taking little glances.
"What happened to being respectful?"
"I was forced to undress before you on our wedding night. I am owed in making you do the sa. There isn’t any blood," Ophelia noticed.
"I wasn’t injured," Dante replied.
"I was watching all your matches, and it looked like you got hit a few tis. Your armour must be quite strong. Is it heavy?" Ophelia wondered, going toward Dante’s helt.
Dante stepped aside so Ophelia could get to the table he placed the helt on. "For others, it is heavy, but it was made to suit . So of the other n in my army wear armour that weighs the sa. Most prefer lighter armour."
Ophelia picked up the helt and weighed it. "I suppose when you are strong, the weight wouldn’t matter. There are a few dents in it, but it is still good for another fight. You destroyed the armour of one of the n you fought against. The sound of it breaking was terrifying."
"Many of the n you watched today have never been a part of war. This gathering was more of a show than a real fight," Dante explained.
"I see. Well, I quite enjoyed it. I enjoyed seeing you fight and how upset you made the n around you. They should train harder for the next gathering. I will leave you now so you may get dressed," Ophelia said, done with her inspection.
"Or, you can sit," Dante offered, motioning to a chair. "There is so ti left for the others to return and for the king to announce the winner. You’ll be safe from prying eyes here."
"Very well," Ophelia agreed.
Ophelia walked to the makeshift chair and sat down.
Dante looked away from Ophelia montarily, but his gaze quickly fell back on her.
"What, what are you doing?" Ophelia questioned as Dante ca to kneel before her.
"You didn’t change your shoes," Dante said, taking it upon himself to take off her shoes.
"Oh. I didn’t have ti for it, and since I was sitting, they didn’t hurt too much. I am good at making use of what doesn’t fit . There must be blood, so don’t touch them," Ophelia said, trying to chase his hands.
Dante continued to take both shoes off and set them aside. "What could have been so important that you tortured yourself with these shoes?"
"My husband was hunting with n who wouldn’t miss the chance to kill him, and I was being watched by people we both dislike. I had greater concerns than shoes. Thank you," Ophelia said, moving her feet from Dante’s hold after he took off her shoes. "I’ll have Alice bring the new pair when it is ti to leave."
"I won’t allow you to leave until you switch shoes. I wish you weren’t so afraid of those two. Nigel and Joel," Dante clarified.
"I’ve lived with them for many years. I wasn’t always this height, so they towered over , and it made them scarier. I wouldn’t have endured Joel’s punishnts if I weren’t so rebellious. Sotis, I was so stubborn that it cost a great deal of pain," Ophelia said, laughing off the past.
"And Nigel?" Dante inquired.
Ophelia’s laughter ceased. "Nigel is worse than his father. He never had a reason to punish ; he just liked doing it. He enjoys seeing others cry and experience pain. Many servants left the castle because he would tornt them. Joel has covered up plenty for his children."
"Did your mother know all of this?"
"She did, but she didn’t speak up. Why would she, when soone else had to bear her husband’s anger and her stepson’s awful hobby? I was her sacrifice so she could be free of their anger. You don’t have to think of her as my mother because I don’t," said Ophelia.
"You once told you understand how hard it is to hate your mother," Dante said, thinking of a conversation they had in the castle.
Ophelia nodded her head. ’"As bad as they are, they are still our mothers, and when you only have one parent, you think you need to put up with their actions. Luckily for , I snapped out of it. I couldn’t create anymore excuses to make myself believe I should still love her."
Ophelia looked down at the palm of her hand. "I think Theo still bears so love for her. We don’t talk about it often. I want him to see the truth, but I don’t want to spoil it for him. I am fine now," she said, trying to save the spoiling mood. "I don’t need a mother. I don’t need too much family."
"It is their loss. I think you are quite wonderful," Dante said, thankful he gained what the Valthorns couldn’t cherish.
Reviews
All reviews (0)