Chapter 265: Quiet life (3)
"Would you be interested in searching for your father’s family? You don’t have any recollection of them, right?’
"While I am interested in his family, I don’t want to search for them. We always lived on the Valthorn land. It is no secret that my mother became Lady Valthorn because she always flaunted herself. If anyone wanted to find us, they could have," said Ophelia.
Ophelia continued to say, "I am quite content with the family I have now and the peace. If my father were alive, I would be more than happy to find him, but not his family. What if their only interest in me is using my title?"
It would not be unusual for Ophelia’s newfound status and wealth to attract relatives wanting to use her. She might be seen as easier to approach than Giselle, who would have had them thrown into the dungeon.
"They could be good people," said Dante.
"I don’t agree with my mother when it comes to all her choices, but I do agree it is wrong to take a home from a grieving wife who shared two children with the man. She let it slip in one of our conversations. If Theo wants to find them, I will allow it, but I don’t know our old name," Ophelia confessed.
Dante placed more meat on Ophelia’s plate and said, "I can get it out of your mother."
"By torturing her for it?"
"There are other ways to get her to speak. Sometimes rewarding a starved prisoner gets them to tell you more than you needed," Dante explained.
"I see. Well, I wish you good luck since my mother will be anything but truthful. Fortunately, you only need to question her if Theo wants to know. I am satisfied with only you and Theo being my family. And Thomas," Ophelia added after a second thought. "It would be wrong not to include Alice."
"I prefer that you only think of Theo and me as your family. That is far better," Dante suggested.
"Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Dante. Alice and Thomas are always at my side, so I value them. They have quickly moved from feeling like servants to friends and now family. Are the knights not like your family?" Ophelia asked, though she knew they were.
"They are," Dante answered.
"Then, it is only fair that I have others whom I consider to be like my family. I care for them both, and it surprises me when it comes to Alice. She has changed for the better, and though that change started because you threatened her, she is good," said Ophelia.
"I will keep Alice at my side for as long as she will allow it. Do you know that she has been working hard to have an heir? That is why she is coming up with so many suggestions on how I am to seduce you," Ophelia said, a purpose lingering in her words.
"Did she? I am starting to like her," Dante unknowingly responded as Ophelia wanted him to.
Ophelia bit her lips to stifle her laughter. Dante was too predictable.
"You told me that she has been quite helpful with planning the ball. Do you need my help? I have attended quite a few balls in my lifetime. Some were boring while others were entertaining. I can share the tales," Dante offered.
"That is kind of you, but I want the ball to be a secret for now. I am not only looking to impress the town, but you as well. I want to show you that all your efforts to help me, like with the tutor, are paying off. That is why I am putting forth so much effort," Ophelia confessed.
"You could plan a small outing, and I would love it-"
"That is not what I want!" Ophelia exclaimed, wanting Dante to be honest. "I want you to take one look at the ball and be impressed by my efforts. Be impressed that it is well-done, not only because you love me. I truly want to surprise you by showing that I can do well like others."
Dante reached for Ophelia’s hand and rubbed the back of it to calm her. "Very well. I will be honest."
"Thank you. This ball shall be my first proper introduction to the townspeople. I want it to go well so I can end any doubts they have about me. It must go well, so that means no fighting amongst the knights, no speaking of the war, and if you could, I would not like Duke Vale to make a last moment appearance," Ophelia pleaded.
Should Kaden arrive, then all talk would be about the palace and the new king. Ophelia wanted to keep the ball about the knights.
"I had no plans to allow him inside my castle. There is no reason for him to return to my land now that he has gotten the revenge he sought. He should return to his land unless he comes to see Mary. He seems to be interested in her sons’ well-being," Dante said, a smile forming due to Ophelia’s reaction.
"He should take his interest elsewhere. Mary will do well for her sons, and if he for a second thinks she would have any interest in marrying him, he must think again. No one wants to come out of a troublesome marriage and jump right into another marriage," Ophelia spoke on Mary’s behalf.
"And worst of all, he is a nobleman."
This piqued Dante’s curiosity. "Is there an issue with being a nobleman?"
"Not with you. I simply mean that Mary would be thrown back into a position where a man has far more power than she does. She craved freedom, and now she has it. Unless she were to love him, I don’t want her to lose that freedom," said Ophelia.
"Kaden can be a brute, but I do not think he is currently searching for a wife. He has always been caught up in revenge, and as we can see, Mary knows how to get rid of someone who bothers her. I’m certain he will be poisoned if he troubles her, and he knows it."
"Should I study poison?" Ophelia wondered.
"Considering I share a bed with you and eat what you offer me, no. You already have an interest in the plants in the tower. Though I have a feeling that you have not been paying attention to them."
Ophelia gasped, only now remembering the vegetables she planted. "I have not visited the tower."
"No, you have not. Fortunately, your dear husband instructed the gardeners to visit the tower. Your vegetables might still be alive, but I urge you to go to the tower," Dante advised Ophelia.
"I will go the moment we return," Ophelia decided.
