Chapter 90

Hydrangea walked ahead of Bastian, his arms laden with the bag filled with food, firewood, a sheet and a blanket. The last two were additives from her.

After walking through the meadow they reached the forest that bordered it. It wasn't as dense as the one he'd previously walked through but the branches were all overgrown and had a tendency to whack him in the face.

"It's just over here." She said ahead of him and he couldn't help but heave a silent sigh of relief from her words.

Stumbling out of a mass of leafless bushes he nearly fell face forward. But he luckily managed to right himself and he stood to see where the flower had stopped.

They were on a hill, the trees surrounding them were creating a canopy that encircled them comfortably. The ground was covered with a damp blanket of colourful leaves and needles. He set down the supplies and walked to where she was standing.

As he did he made sure to stop a few feet away from her. His eyes widened then relaxed when he saw the view from their position. It was her house and farm. The meadow was spread around them and as the backdrop, the forest rose up and with its splendid autumn colours, made the scene as a painting.

He couldn't see the ocean yet he still found it beautiful; he rather enjoyed the simplicity of her family's house.

The flower turned abruptly and began to brush away the pinecones and needles so she could rest the sheet down. He, being mute as well, began to set up a fire.

After successfully igniting the flame he smiled proudly at his work and turned to see if the flower had seen him, but she hadn't and she was in the middle of laying out the food.

Hydrangea had seen him triumphantly light the fire and she'd almost asked where he'd learned to do that, but had thought better of it. They'd been travelling for over two months, he'd have learned in that time.

The Sovereign sat down next to her and began to munch on some bread. She had no appetite.

"You should eat." He said as he handed her a slice.

She shook her head, "Why did you bring me here?" She asked, her eyes hiding her fears.

He set down the bread, "I wanted to talk."

"Talk about what?"

He looked at the scenery, trying to search for words, "I'm sorry, for saying the things I said last night." He muttered without looking at her.

Her chin lowered, "You shouldn't apologize."

"But I should, I had no right to say those things. And-" He stopped because he feared the mention of her tears would make her upset.

"And what?" She asked her gaze elsewhere.

He watched her with a vague concern. She seemed distracted. He wanted to ask if she was alright but he knew that she'd react defensively.

"And nothing." He sighed.

They were quiet for a long time and he began to feel anxious. He ate his apple slowly, his nerves starting to convince him to get up and leave.

"I had a dream last night." She said and he turned to look at her. Her hands were wrapped comfortably around her knees as she watched the view of her farm below.

"Oh?" He answered removing his gaze from her profile.

She was silent, "I saw my mother."

His shoulders sagged a little, and he nodded.

"And my father."

He swallowed. None of these children knew their fathers, did they? He watched the flower carefully.

"His name was Matias. He loved my mother and said that he would marry her… he bought her this house and when she told him she was pregnant-" Her eyes looked down and he finished the sentence in his head, 'Pregnant with me.'

"He left her. He called her a whore and… he left her." She shook her head and faked a smile, "I don't know why I'm telling you all this. It's ridiculous is what it is. Just a dream." She whispered.

He shook his head, "I don't think it's ridiculous. I'm sorry." He apologized for her father's actions. He was still not used to apologizing and grimaced.

She now watched him with a wary eye, "What's wrong with you? I mean… why have you been acting so strange lately?"

He smiled awkwardly and replied in his head, 'Because I have been.' He couldn't think of a reply. Why had he been trying to be different? He pondered his question and he wasn't sure of what to do when he found the answer.

"I want your forgiveness." He answered firmly, his eyes on hers.

'Forgive him.' Echoed in her mind at his words and she subconsciously shook her head.

"Hydrangea, I can't tell you how-"

"You said my name!" She broke in startled, "You said my name."

His face blushed shades of red and he looked at the ground, "I did. I was thinking that we should start doing that." He swallowed, "Calling each other by our names."

She tilted her head at him with more confusion than he'd ever seen in her grey eyes, "You want me to call you… Ba-by your name?"

"Yes, and in turn I will call you Hydrangea." He beamed and she looked away.

"Very well." She muttered.

"Great!" He proclaimed, "Now as I was saying," His tone sobered significantly, "Hydrangea, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I am, I am truly sorry."

"For what?" Her eyes now suddenly burned with a fire the he didn't exactly trust.

"For everything." He swallowed hard as he began, "I am the reason that your mother sold you. I am the reason you were ripped from your family. I am the reason that… you're now in danger." He finished.

Her eyes were still flaring, "Are you sorry for hurting all of those girls?" She asked quietly, "Are you sorry for ripping those girls from their homes too?!"

"Yes! Very!" He said loudly, upset with her anger.

She froze in her anger when he said that, her face turning confused once more, "You're sorry, for everything?"

He nodded and stood, "I am." His chest and shoulders felt heavy from the reminders of all his wrong doings.

She took a breath and followed him, raising herself from the ground, she closed her eyes for a few moments before she spoke, "I could never forgive you."