Chapter 264: Quiet life (2)
"We can have many portraits done of you now and place them on the walls beside the others. You are now a Hastings. We should show you off," said Dante.
"We? Don’t you mean you want to show me off? The way you are pouting in this portrait tells me that it is not fun to sit there for a long time while someone paints you. I do not mind having one or two. One alone with you and one with Theo," Ophelia considered.
"They should remind us of this time. Like how you remember what you were feeling in this portrait. I want to have one to look back on this year and this very moment. I will arrange it after the ball," Ophelia decided.
"We must get to our dinner. Did you set the table?" Dante asked, slipping his hand to hold Ophelia’s.
"I did. I found the food and placed it on the table. Should we have some wine?" Ophelia inquired, remembering the bottles she saw.
"Any bottles of wine you come across here might be strong with alcohol. You might only be able to have a sip."
"A sip? I can handle my drinks. We are still celebrating, so we should at least have one glass. I cannot think of the last time I had wine. You must join me," Ophelia said, tugging on Dante’s arm as she led him to the dining chamber.
"Very well," Dante agreed and followed Ophelia.
"I must confess that though I am happy to be here alone with you, I did call for Alice for a moment, and realised that she is not here. I have gotten so used to someone always being at my side or behind me. This mansion is lovely, but it is too quiet," Ophelia said.
"We are different in this matter. I enjoy the peace."
"And what if we are to have children? They are noisy. They require constant attention and care. They will not stop with their noises even if you plead with them. Your ears are still sensitive, so what would you do then?" Ophelia asked, certain Dante hadn’t thought of this.
"If we were to have noisy children, I would be glad since I would be able to hear that they are well. I dislike noise when it comes from the knights because they are only speaking about women and drinking. I wouldn’t mind our children’s voices," Dante said.
Dante focused on the fact that Ophelia spoke of children instead of a child.
"How cruel for the knights. They would be disappointed if they heard you speaking now. Thank you," Ophelia said after Dante pulled out her chair.
"There is a difference in how I am with you compared to the knights. It is to be expected," Dante said as he helped Ophelia with her chair. "I fear this is a topic that would have us against each other again."
"Because you would suggest we don’t share a bed again?" Ophelia teased Dante. "I am never going to let you forget what you said. I am also not going to get angry. I was the one who brought up children."
"I have thought about it again," Ophelia confessed. "I still don’t think we are ready for one right now, as we are only getting the castle back in good order, but as you said, it is not as though we are being careful. We are intimate and quite regular."
Ophelia thought it couldn’t be possible to want to continue to be intimate yet not want a child.
"If I am to continue sharing a bed with you, I must be open to the idea of us having a child. I am not against it for the future. If it happens in the near future, then I won’t be upset. I have some fears, but I am not like my mother. I know I can be good as long as I try," Ophelia said, confident in herself.
"So, you might want to take this time to get used to the peace while I continue to ask everyone around what it feels like to be a mother. There is also the matter of the curse. I can accept if the curse was only broken for you. We will do our best," Ophelia said, hopeful to end any worry Dante might have.
Ophelia was determined not to make the same mistakes Cecilia did. She could love her child even with the beast.
"Indeed, we shall. Again, when you are ready, you must tell me," Dante replied, and finally moved to his chair.
"Out of curiosity, what would change if I told you that I am ready now? We are already quite familiar with each other, so what could change?" Ophelia asked, too curious to hold back.
"We would need to be more focused on our marital duties. We would have to be more active in our duties, which brings up the topic again of working on strengthening your body. Having a child is a risky experience for a woman. You would need to be in a healthy shape," Dante explained.
Dante continued to say, "As much as I would like to have a child with you, I would not like to lose you. I would rather it just be the two of us if it is too risky for you. The choice to adopt a child still stands. It was always the first option."
"We have good doctors in the palace. If I cannot trust them with knowing if I would be well, then I cannot trust them with Theo. Now that you speak of adopting, I would like to suggest more orphanages around the town," Ophelia suggested.
"There might be children right now in the very position as Theo and I were, or worse. They should be taken care of. Perhaps we don’t think of it as an orphanage, but rather a home for these children to grow up in if they do not find families."
"It should be near the castle so we know that they are well cared for, and when they are grown, they can work in the castle if they want. I will reduce the money for my personal expenses to cover it if needed. I don’t want any more children to suffer. Would you be open to it?" Ophelia asked, hopeful Dante would agree.
"I am all for it, Ophelia. I see no reason for me to object. I will decide on the land where it should be built and have the knights keep watch for children who will need help. We can house them in the castle until it is done," said Dante.
"Wonderful," Ophelia smiled.
