Chapter 214
The feasting hall was splendidly lit, the same lanterns that decorated the outside of the building lined the high stone walls of the castle. Other lamps were lit on the table, fragrant and pleasant odours rising from them. Hydrangea's eyes widened at how many people were present. It reminded her of the dinner she'd shared with Dimitri and Bastian back in Cadarama.
They were seated on the left side of the long table. Their seats were small cushions that she found it rather difficult to sit down on. Bastian began a conversation, almost immediately, with one of the men seated next to him. They sounded cheery enough so she did not worry.
The first dish was served, a colourful soup with braised meat and something yellow and crispy on the side. She began to eat, her eyes remaining on her food. Another course was served and she looked up to see that Bastian was hardly even touching his food as he conversed with the people at the table.
They were all regally dressed, the bright tones complimenting their golden skin. Skin much like Bastian's. She suddenly blushed at the feeling of being such an outcast. She couldn't speak their language, nor did she look a thing like them.
Glancing up, she found that Queen Indah was staring intently at her. Hydrangea's stomach churned and she placed her hand on Bastian's knee. He stopped his talking and looked down at her. Her eyes widened when she saw the slight flush to his cheeks and the warm glow in his eyes.
She huffed a humoured breath, and said in a low voice, "You've been drinking."
He merely grinned and her mirth grew, "Bentuki toddy is the best there is. I have it imported to my palace because Cadaraman toddy is wretched in comparison."
She laughed lightly before sobering. The queen was still watching them. She gripped his knee a little tighter and his eyes hooded, "Bastian," She said in exasperation, "What have you been speaking of so far?"
"The king will send his two best fleet, along with his best militia in two weeks time. We will arrive in Cadarama two weeks before them, and in that time we will prepare what we can. We'll meet in Carver's bay and then storm the palace."
Her eyes widened, "Incredible. You've arranged all this, and they want nothing from us." His eyes darted away for a moment and she leaned back slightly. He sighed, "Hydrangea, I promised them that our first child would be wed accordingly to one of their children."
The blood rushed from Hydrangea's face and she dropped the fork she'd been holding loosely in her hand. Her composure slipped back into place but her thoughts were still running wild. Her child…
Anger flared up in her and she hid her clenched fists beneath the table. How could Bastian do that to their future son or daughter? How could he take away that right to choose? Nausea rose in her throat and she inhaled deeply to try and abate it.
Picking at her food, her mind began to contrive all of the things she would throw in Bastian's face. It was the injustice of it all; their baby wasn't even born yet and he had traded their baby's choice in marriage. What if her child hated her because of it? What if they never forgave her?
The main course was served and she tore through the rice dish. It was drenched in a spicy sauce and mixed with minced meat and vegetables, but she hardly paid attention to the flavours.
The meal ended and after bidding the king and queen farewell, they were escorted from the castle. Hydrangea caught sight of a little girl peeking out from one of the doors leading outside. Was that who her son's future wife would be? A Bentuki princess.
Then again, she supposed most people didn't marry for love. They married for money, position, personal gain and other distorted reasons. But she had thought that her children would be free of such treatment.
When they returned at their small residence, Aidana greeted them with Sion. "This young pup wishes to service you, your majesty." She stated and Hydrangea's face burned in embarrassment. Bastian had already walked inside, Hydrangea suddenly became worried at his intoxication. Was he feeling ill?
"He what—" A thought rose in her head that she could say yes, just to anger Bastian. But she honestly had no interest in the bronze skinned man. "I…I don't need this right now." She murmured and walked past the pair.
Hydrangea entered the house and found Bastian naked and sitting on the bed with a lazy smile on his face. She rolled her eyes and fought to frown instead of smile. She was still angry with him.
"Bastian you can't just do that. Our son or daughter is not an object to be traded around. They're our child, our-our—they're a human being and it's inexcusable to think—"
"Hydrangea.." His drowsy voice interrupted her and she dragged her eyes to look at his glistening body. Why was he sweating so much? "We'll talk about this in the morning, right now I want you in this bed. And naked."
"That's not happening, Bastian. I want to talk about this now." He sighed and flopped onto the bed, she looked away from him. His body was too much of a temptation for her, "Bastian. Do you even realize what you've done? You've practically sold away our child's freedom. He will never be able to choose who to love, and it's horrible—"
"Darling, I do believe you're forgetting the fact that we had a loveless marriage until only a few months ago."
She rolled her eyes, "And I was miserable. I don't want our son or daughter to have to live that way."
He was quiet for a few moments and she glanced back at him. He was still naked, but the night air was muggy and the toddy was definitely keeping his body warm. "I had an arranged marriage with a Bobianese princess. I was four when it was arranged…and I didn't hate her. She was a pure, innocent thing and by the time I was eighteen and she was fourteen, I just couldn't go through with it."
Hydrangea stilled, "Bastian…" Her brows creased, she wasn't sure what to say. She walked to the bed, removing her head-dress as she did. After setting it down on the floor by the low bed she leaned over and took Bastian's hands in hers, catching his eyes that were a little more lucid, "I-I'm sorry. It hurts me that you went through all that you did, it hurts that it made you lose yourself and-and damage yourself." Her throat tightened when she saw tears in his eyes. "I wish all of those things hadn't happened, but me wishing that won't change a thing."
The tears began to fall from his eyes and she pulled him up so she could face him on equal ground. Now she was crying along with him. Acting on impulse, she wrapped her arms around his bare, warm and shaking body. He buried his nose into the crook of her neck and she sighed. She was a mess. They both were.
When he had stopped shaking against her and her own tears had ceased, she played with his hair. She wondered if it's length bothered him. Or the fact that she'd butchered it. She smiled at the memory before sobering.
"Do you think they could be happy?" She asked into his neck.
He heaved a heavy, tired huff before cupping her buttocks through the thick fabric of the skirt. "I think they could be. Our children will be raised better, will they not be?" He leaned back and lifted her chin. His eyes were still shining with tears and the sight sent a strange fluttery sensation through her chest. He looked beautifully broken.
"Let's sleep." He murmured placing a soft kiss on her lips before turning around and passing out cold on the mattress.
"Bastian?" Hydrangea laughed. She was still upset, but she could never hate her husband, nor could she be furious at him. She was just plagued with worry for her baby.