Dante waited for the door to close to discard his armour. He knew better than to expect to return home to no drama, but for Ophelia not to be in their chamber was somewhat of a surprise. Dante didn't prepare another chamber for her; therefore, Ophelia was to be before him now.
To save himself the trouble of having to deal with this matter in the morning, Dante walked out of his chamber in search of Ophelia.
Since Dante was clueless as to where Ophelia rested, he sought out the headmaid Edith.
"Where is she?"
The sound of Dante's voice startled Edith.
When did Lord Hastings return?
Edith turned around, clutching the folded blankets in her arms. "Your grace," she lowered her head. "Forgive me, I did not hear you."
"I leave the castle for a week, and everyone has somehow turned useless. I will ask once more. Where is my wife, Edith?" Dante asked, taking small steps toward Edith.
"She is in the west tower, Your Grace. It was your mother's order," Edith answered.
"Was it prepared for her arrival?"
Edith lowered her head. "I do not know, Your Grace."
"If the head maid does not know, then who should know? Do you not like your work? It couldn't be if you are not aware that the chamber for my wife is prepared or not," Dante said, annoyed by the incompetence of everyone in the castle.
"It was decided late to place her there-"
"Unless many of my servants walked out of the castle whilst I was away, there are plenty of you to tidy the chamber from the second you were told she was going to be there. You have done it for other guests, have you not?"
"I have, Your Grace. I have been careless this time. I will send maids there now," Edith said.
"No, I will go myself," Dante decided.
Edith's eyes widened. Why would the Lord go there?
Dante noticed Edith's surprise.
"Why so shocked? Is she not my wife? Were you not informed of who she is until now?" Dante inquired, considering whether he should remove Edith. He read Edith's expressions.
"I was aware, but," Edith bit her tongue.
"Is it because she is a Valthorn? Do you think that is a reason for you to dismiss her? While her ties to the Valthorn are rather concerning, she is the lady, and you are the head maid. Be careful where you step," Dante warned Edith.
Dante walked by Edith, heading in the direction of the tower where Ophelia was placed.
Dante recalled that the tower had all its furniture covered with old blankets and was not regularly cleaned because it was rarely used.
"Who goes there- Lord Hastings," the guards lowered their weapons.
Dante walked by the guards who stood at the entrance of the tower. He walked the many steps of the tower and knocked on the lone door.
Dante listened closely for any movement inside. When there was none, he opened the door.
The lack of light and warmth in the chamber was first noticed. Then, the woman leaned against the balcony door, covered with a blanket she might have taken from the furniture.
As quietly as he could, Dante made his way toward Ophelia and stooped down before her to inspect her appearance.
It didn't appear that she made a fuss about where she was placed.
Dante's gaze soon went to a mark on her neck. It wasn't there on their wedding day.
Dante attempted to touch the mark, but in a swift motion, Ophelia's eyes opened, and a knife meant for the dinner table was pressed to his neck.
Dante didn't flinch. Rather, he was curious if she dared to cut him.
"You're going to need more than a little knife to kill me, sweetheart," said Dante.
"I'll make it work," Ophelia said, pressing the knife against his neck.
Ophelia assumed someone would sneak in when they thought she was resting, but she hadn't thought of Dante coming to see her.
What did he want?
Did he want her to share a bed with him again?
Dante stared at Ophelia, waiting for her to make her final move. "You should do it before your luck runs out," he advised Ophelia.
"Why are you here?" Ophelia asked, keeping the knife in place.
Ophelia's hand trembled. She was weak, and there was certainly no way she could kill Dante with a puny knife, but she would not allow him to do as he pleased without a fight.
"This is my castle. I go where I please."
"You know what I meant. Why are you here in this chamber? If you have come here thinking that I will sleep with you, you have thought wrong. I am tired, and it is quite late," Ophelia said, hoping that just once, a man would listen to her.
Dante tilted his head, his lips hiding mischief behind them. "I don't seek your frail body. You may rest assured that I won't bed you again unless it is our duty, but it is expected that you share-"
"Then leave," said Ophelia. "Since you don't expect that duty tonight, you should leave."
Dante was annoyed that she didn't let him finish speaking, but didn't speak on it. "You would rather stay the night here in this chamber, which is clearly not well cared for?"
"I will make the most of it and have it tidied in the morning," Ophelia replied.
Ophelia gasped after Dante moved faster than she could react and held her hand with the knife in it. She felt the knife graze his neck, and a red line appeared.
"You should have done it when you had the chance," Dante said as he pried the knife from Ophelia's hand.
"I am not a fool. I know that I wouldn't make it far out of this castle if I killed you, and I have good reason to stay alive. If you were in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by enemies, wouldn't you be prepared for an enemy?" Ophelia asked, glaring at Dante.
"I would," Dante answered honestly. "This chamber isn't for you."
"I prefer to be here. I would rather not trouble you when you wish to sneak away to see your mistress," said Ophelia.
"You would rather suffer here, where they won't tend to you, than be in a chamber where I won't touch you?" Dante asked, giving Ophelia one last chance to leave.
"It is quiet here. I want to stay," Ophelia responded.
Dante dropped the knife onto Ophelia's lap.
"Then so be it," Dante said, standing up since he had no reason to stay. "Suffer here alone."
Ophelia grabbed the knife and watched as Dante walked toward the door.
"I only have one request, if you would be so kind," Ophelia said, getting his attention before Dante could exit the door. "There is something that I want."