"Mr Lowe. What a pleasure it is to et you," Ophelia curtseyed, avoiding shaking Alistair’s hand. "You should greet your niece. After all, she is the reason you are here."
"I am here for my niece, but I am also here to speak to Lord and Lady Hastings. Thanks to your union, I no longer have to worry about my ho being destroyed by war or my loved ones being hurt. Thank you," Alistair said, still waiting for Ophelia to shake his hand.
"You an my ho? The ho my father would want to have," Victoria argued.
"You’ll have to excuse my niece, Lady Hastings. She doesn’t know when to speak and when not to. What could a woman possibly know about caring for a large ho, Victoria? What could you have done to look after the n loyal to your father?" Alistair asked, laughing at Victoria’s childish behaviour.
"The very n you said I could not lead left my father’s ho right after you set foot in it. You have not succeeded in replacing my father, so do not look down on ," Victoria said, clenching her fist.
Alistair looked at Ophelia since Victoria was a bore. "She doesn’t think I know best, but in ti she will understand. I hope you can guide her, Lady Hastings."
"There’s nothing for to guide. I am curious what you think should happen if my husband were to die and leave the castle in my hands. Do you think a relative should co in and push out?" Ophelia asked, having already made up her mind about Alistair.
"Why, yes. The castle would need a new lord. Unless you are with a child and it is a boy, what reason would we have to let you be the one to govern it alone? Fear not, for there should be a new roof placed over your head and a comfortable allowance for you to survive," said Alistair.
Ophelia smiled, not offended by Alistair’s words. "It amuses to hear of how you expect us to raise your children whilst you are out doing as you please, but we cannot run a household without a man beside us."
"I would think raising a child requires more sense than running a ho. We can shape the future of this kingdom, but not run a ho. How sensible," said Ophelia.
"It is within your nature to know how to take care of a child. A woman has her duties, and n have others. That is why I needed to step in to help my niece. She would not have thrived alone and denied my help to marry her off. She has sullied her na," Alistair said, looking down upon Victoria.
"Lord Hastings," Alistair said, facing the man who ruined his plans. "Is it unpleasant for your wife to be in the presence of your lover? Unless Lady Hastings doesn’t know."
"Victoria isn’t my lover. You won’t succeed in starting any drama here," Dante said as he brushed by Alistair.
"She is not your lover. How interesting," Alistair chuckled. "That has always been the excuse for why she turned away the n I selected for her to wed. If that is the truth, then my niece must return to my care. It is my duty to marry her off before she sullies herself even more."
"My father wouldn’t have wanted you in his ho, and you know it. You were a coward who couldn’t join him in the war and only showed your face after he died. You’re nothing more than a lackey who carries out the king’s wishes," Victoria said, angered by her uncle acting as though he cared for her.
Alistair smiled, but beneath that smile was anger.
Victoria only embarrassed the family. It was sowhat useful when others spoke of her being Dante’s lover and potential future bride, but now Dante was married, and Victoria was being pushed to the side.
Alistair ignored Victoria’s insults and instead spoke to Dante. "Are we going to have our talk by the door? It is rather impolite for not to be welcod inside, or did you both bring from my ho for this?"
"We will sit," Dante said, leading the way.
Victoria was fuming inside, but she soon rembered her plans and tried to calm herself. She couldn’t let her emotions get the best of her, or her talk with Alistair wouldn’t get anywhere.
Ophelia waited for Alistair to follow Dante so he wouldn’t be left with Victoria, and walked alongside Victoria.
"You don’t have to do this for ," Victoria said, not in need of more of Ophelia’s kindness.
"Don’t direct your feelings toward . Stay focused on your uncle and keep calm, no matter how much his words upset you. n like him enjoy seeing that you beco flustered. If you can’t handle one conversation without snapping, you’ll prove his point that you weren’t worthy to look after your father’s ho," said Ophelia.
"You don’t understand. Seeing him just makes -"
’Want to strangle him or do much worse? I have been surrounded by my enemies as of late, and despite what I wanted to do, I knew to wait. Your mont to get even will co, but for now, show that he cannot upset you. Speak your mind and don’t let him silence you because you are a woman. Prove him wrong," Ophelia advised Victoria.
"I forgot you have your troubles with your family as well. I apologise for being so dismissive," said Victoria.
"I wasn’t bothered by it. I understand why you can’t control your emotions. I only t your uncle now, and already I hate him. I take it he was going to marry you off to n who weren’t suited for you," Ophelia said, glaring daggers at the back of Alistair’s head.
"He was. He was making a mockery of who I would wed. n other than or without any wealth to care for . He just wants out of the way so I may suffer and die. He’s evil," Victoria said, wishing Alistair would drop dead.
"Lady Hastings," Alistair said, slowing down to walk beside Ophelia. "Easy there, Lord Hastings. I only wanted to speak to your wife. I have heard many good things about you during my ti in the palace."
"Have you? I can’t imagine the Valthorns would have much to say," Ophelia replied.
"The Valthorns? No, I spoke with the king. He seems to think highly of you, and knowing that, I hope I can be close-"
Ophelia didn’t harbour any pity for Alistair as Dante grabbed him by his shirt. He deserved whatever followed.
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