Chapter 271: Hastings ball (6)
"By request, I am back," Kaden announced.
"How unfortunate," said Dante.
"Allow me to take him from your hands, Ophelia. He shouldn’t be sleepy already," Mary said, taking Landon from Ophelia. "I will have a dance with the two of them before they fall asleep. Thank you for being so kind to watch them."
"It was lovely to have a moment with them. The next song is starting, so you should find a place to prepare. Oh," Ophelia said, startled by Dante holding her hand. "I forgot about our dance."
"You forgot?" Dante asked, feigning hurt. "I am wounded."
"No, you are not," Ophelia replied, seeing through his act. "Leave that behaviour for the children. I will dance with you now," Ophelia said, holding out her hand for Dante to take.
Dante held Ophelia’s hand and led her to the centre of the ball.
Kaden was left behind, but he did not mind. He was more than satisfied after witnessing Mary run out to stop him from leaving. He never expected to see her chase after him.
From where he stood, Kaden watched Mary walk with her children. She truly was at her happiest when she stood with her children. He had nothing to fear about how her boys would be raised.
Meanwhile, Dante led Ophelia to the middle of the pairs preparing to dance.
"Did we need to stand here? I know how to dance, but I’m afraid that by standing here, everyone can see us, and I will stand on your toes," Ophelia said, looking down.
"I’ve had men heavier than you step on my toes and survived. If you need, you may stand on my feet," Dante said as a joke.
"I am not a child. If I stand on your toes, know that it was on purpose. You deserve it for your awful jokes," said Ophelia.
"Do I?" Dante asked, placing his hand on Ophelia’s waist.
"Is it just me, or is your hand lower than where my tutor placed his? You must remember that there is a crowd, and I do not want to have a scandal at the ball. Be careful with your hand, good sir," Ophelia said.
"This is the normal hand placement for a husband. Your tutor was only being respectful," Dante said just as the music started to play.
Ophelia moved just as she recalled the steps from her lessons. She was nervous at first, but after not messing up the first few steps, Ophelia relaxed.
Ophelia wore a big smile as she got more comfortable dancing before a crowd. Her body moved effortlessly, and she didn’t think she was stiff like when she danced with her tutor.
"A shame we did not get to dance at our wedding. I would have fallen in love with this smile," Dante said, admiring the expression Ophelia wore now. "I have fallen in love with you all over again."
"I wouldn’t have smiled during our wedding, and you weren’t happy to be there. This moment is better for us. We truly love each other, and we are surrounded by people we adore. Think of this night as our wedding night," Ophelia suggested.
"Do we get to have a second wedding night?" Dante whispered.
"No, you don’t, but if you manage to charm me tonight, you might find yourself lucky," Ophelia said.
"Then, I should consider myself lucky."
Ophelia accidentally laughed out, gathering the attention of the couples beside her. Rather than being embarrassed, she smiled when she had eye contact with others.
More laughter was heard amongst the other couples and from Mary’s children as they danced with their mother.
The laughter was sweeter than music to Ophelia’s ears. It wasn’t just her and Dante enjoying themselves, but the entire town as well. Knowing this, Ophelia couldn’t contain her laughter any longer and let loose, having fun.
Dante couldn’t resist smiling after seeing Ophelia be comfortable. He knew Ophelia recognised how much she had changed since the first day she came to the castle, but he also wished she could see herself from his point of view.
So much had come out of the lady everyone had written off.
Ophelia had blossomed into a wonderful young lady who beat all the odds stacked against her. She endured being on enemy land and made the castle her home.
With how Ophelia was welcomed and surrounded by the townspeople, Dante would say she had become just as well-loved as he was, if not more. Fortunately, Dante has the chance to see how much more Ophelia will grow since she has always wanted to improve.
It would be interesting to see.
Dante’s gaze never left Ophelia, even when the music stopped. He watched as she clapped her hands, thanking the musicians, and greeted the couples around her.
"Was that not exciting?" Ophelia asked, eager to dance again.
"It was," Dante agreed.
"Lord Hastings," a voice was heard, but no one was seen.
Ophelia was the first one to look down and find a little girl tugging on Dante’s shirt to get his attention.
"Can I dance?" The little girl asked.
"You can," Dante replied, letting go of Ophelia’s hand to hold his new dance partner.
"I will be with Theo," Ophelia said, leaving Dante to his second dance. She giggled when she saw the other little girls seemingly lining up for their turn to dance with Dante.
Dante didn’t know what he was in for.
Ophelia slipped through the crowd and ended up at Theo’s side.
"Have you been drinking, Theo? You mustn’t get carried away," Ophelia said, but still, she enjoyed seeing Theo having fun.
"It has only been four glasses," Theo said, showing the number on his hand.
"That is five fingers. I will need to keep an eye on you."
"What for? It is not as though I will run off. You should focus on enjoying yourself, though I see Dante has taken on a new partner. He seems to be well with children, but he has to bend down because of his height. His poor back," Theo said, feeling sorry for Dante.
"I will give him a back rub when the ball is over. He does look lovely playing with children," Ophelia said, enjoying the view. "Are you having fun, Theo? Besides the drinking?"
"I am. I am quite popular as your brother. Can I have your hand?" Theo asked.
"Of course," Ophelia replied and offered her right hand. "What are you doing?" Ophelia asked, puzzled by Theo swinging her hand.
"Dancing," Theo replied.
Ophelia chuckled. "I see. How wonderful."
"Thank goodness they sent you instead of Freya. We could have died," said Theo.
"Yes, thank goodness," Ophelia said, watching Dante dance.
