Chapter 272: Epilogue
A year later.
"I swear, if anyone messes up this day for Lady Hastings, you shall see a side to me that you do not like," said Alice.
"I do not think they like the side you show them every day."
Alice stopped walking and turned around to face Thomas. "Please enlighten me on why Lady Hastings selected you to follow me around? Surely, there has to be a more capable guard."
"It was Lord Hastings who gave me the order. You were sent to get her fruits and pastries. I am to watch who prepares her food. Please remember Lord Hastings’ warning that he will gut anyone who tries to harm Lady Hastings, but surely, no one here would be so foolish," Thomas said, eyeing all the cooks.
"We all have to be walking on eggshells around Lord Hastings. I am afraid of making a joke when he is near. Thank you," Alice said, accepting the tray filled with food meant for Ophelia.
Thomas followed Alice as she made her way to Ophelia. "That is because you are not good at jokes."
"I am good at jokes. You don’t have a sense of humour. When this is all over, I will ask that she give me another guard," Alice muttered.
"Why? You were quite comfortable with me a few nights ago-"
"Ssh," Alice shushed Thomas. "It is a night I would like to forget, but you intend to bring it up at every corner. Why don’t you go make yourself busy, like watching the children? They enjoy your presence. You are making me late."
Alice held onto the tray and continued on her way to Ophelia’s tower.
Thomas followed Alice since his orders were to keep an eye on Ophelia’s food. Still, he would play with the children later.
Alice was grateful for the silence as she made her way up to the tower. The door was opened and inside, she could see Ophelia down on her knees planting cabbages.
"Lady Hastings," Alice gasped. "You mustn’t- Lord Hastings."
Dante sat off to the side, watching as Ophelia tended to her garden. "I tried to stop her, but my stubborn wife doesn’t like to listen. We should send for Theo to talk some sense into her."
"You do know that I am in the tower, right? I can hear both of you," Ophelia said, looking up at the annoying pair. "I must plant these few vegetables, and then I will relax. There’s no need to send for Theo."
"Alice, please place the food on the floor. I am in dire need of food, and all my husband wants to do is take me back to our bedchamber. You should take him with you on your way out. Take him to see the children. They are to be visited by families who wish to adopt children," said Ophelia.
"There are capable servants to be at the children’s side. If only my wife would be concerned about our unborn child as much as she cares for others," said Dante.
Ophelia sighed. "Alice, please leave us."
Alice gladly placed the tray on the floor and hurried out of the tower. She grabbed Thomas’s hand as it was evident that an argument was going to start.
Ophelia waited for the door to close. "Don’t you have knights to train?"
"I have placed another to train them," Dante answered.
"Don’t you have to respond to a letter to the palace?" Ophelia asked.
"Not today," Dante replied.
"Why does it feel like you have pushed all your work to the side just to bother me?" Ophelia inquired, paying special attention as he stood up and walked over to her.
Dante offered his hand to help Ophelia to her feet. "Would you prefer that I don’t want to be near you at this time?"
"You seem to think I am not capable of getting by without you. I am perfectly fine, and the doctor agrees with me. A child does not mean that my world has stopped. When I was panicking, you did your best to calm me. Now it feels as though you want me to panic," said Ophelia.
"No, I want you to remember there is life inside you. I don’t mind the gardening, but you spend long hours here, then you go to the children’s home, and now, for some reason, we are planning a gathering."
"Forgive me for enjoying what makes me happy. I am always careful, but I cannot be if there is always someone over my shoulder startling me with their presence. I care for this child as well, but for my sanity, leave me be," Ophelia pleaded.
"I believe the reason you are surrounding me is that you think you will miss a special moment if you are not near. I swear, there is nothing special now," Ophelia promised.
"I am near because I want you to be safe. Also, to experience the moments I hear others speak of," Dante admitted.
"Ha! I knew it," Ophelia said, feeling victorious. "I will spend time with you as long as you ask. Just don’t try to make my hobbies sound awful. Now, would you please be so kind as to feed me? I cannot bear hunger any longer."
Ophelia’s stomach grumbled, and she would hate to become moody. The servants tried their best to avoid her whenever she was moody.
Dante left Ophelia’s side to pick up the tray. "Are you certain you don’t wish to send for Ester? Perhaps she could tell us if our child will be like you."
"I am not sending for Ester any day. I am afraid that she would cast a spell on our child. Our child will not be normal if it is within reach of Ester. We will know in time," Ophelia said, preferring to wait. "If I am carrying a little beast, we shall love them. Won’t you?"
"Yes," Dante agreed. "But it would be good to know what we are in for. If it is a boy, there is a chance the curse remains. If it is a girl, we have no reason to worry. You must be a girl," Dante said, placing his hand on Ophelia’s belly.
"What if it is both?" Ophelia asked.
"Cry? I am joking," Dante said before Ophelia hit him. "We shall find a way to give them both an equally normal life. For now, I will only worry about them getting here safely."
"I think you should worry about yourself. If you are not lucky, you will not be present for this child to greet you. You are lucky that I love you, but I love this food more," Ophelia said, taking the tray from Dante’s hands.
"Yes, dear," Dante said, following Ophelia to her chair. "Eat as much as your heart desires. I will personally get more food if it is not enough."
"What a dutiful husband. I’m sure this child will feel loved just as I do," Ophelia said, eagerly awaiting the day they would meet the little Hastings.
