Chapter 92

After I'd changed Brigitte from her soaked underdress and undergarments I put on a clean and dry nightgown.

It truly touched me how much Dimitri cared for her. It made my heart yearn to be cared for in such a way, but… I was very happy for them.

I added a few more blankets and then sat on a creaky, old rocking chair by the bed.

As I shifted my weight so the chair would sway in a relaxing manner, my thoughts were still fixed on what had just occurred. I knew I should be worried for Brigitte but… I couldn't think straight with what the Sovereign had said.

He really thought that he was forgivable? My mind instantly went back to all those nights of seeing all those girls disappear, all those tears, all the fear. And he thought I could forgive him and forget all that just like that?

And yes, I could see that he had changed, but that didn't mean that he was redeemable.

I looked at the bed when Brigitte shifted, "Dimitri…" She muttered.

I smiled softly and placed my hand on hers, "He's changing, go back to sleep."

She relaxed and fell back to sleep.

A few hours later she was still sleeping. Magnolia had been a little perturbed when she saw that her bed was being used by Brigitte, but after I told her that she could sleep in my old bed—Brigitte's current bed—she returned to her chipper self.

Linden had told me that Dimitri was in a dead sleep and that the Sovereign wanted to be left alone. I had given him a look when he called the Sovereign by his name. When had he become so close with him?

I rolled my shoulders, it didn't sit well with me.

After I had a dinner of chicken and potatoes Brigitte regained consciousness. I grabbed a few extra pillows from Peri and Hickory's bed to help her to sit up.

"What happened?" She asked as I sat back down.

"Dimitri said that part of a boat fell on your head and you fell into the water." I answered.

She nodded and her hand moved to her still slightly damp hair, "My head does hurt."

I nodded, "Would you like some dinner?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm fine." She looked around the room, "Where is Dimitri?"

I smiled minimally, "He's sleeping. The water seemed to take a lot out of both of you."

She nodded again and reclined into the pillows. After a few moments of silence between us and the noises from the children filtering in through the door, she looked at me and asked, "Your majesty, Hydie," She added, "Is something bothering you?"

I shook my head and gave her a reassuring smile, "No, I'm fine."

She gave me a look of doubt, "What is it?"

I felt touched by her caring, but at the same time I felt such turmoil over what the Sovereign had said and done.

She reached and grasped my hand, hers was cold but comforting, "Tell me." She urged gently, her eyes were not insistent but only mildly concerned.

"The Sovereign asked me to forgive him." I spouted out, then I grimaced and looked away.

She made no reply and only watched with an understanding and kind expression.

"I can't forgive him. Not after everything he's done. And I know he's changed, I can see that. But that doesn't make him a brand new person or… or one that deserves my forgiveness." I said in a hasty and excuseful tone.

She nodded, and squeezed my hand in an encouraging way, "No…" She started, "No, he hasn't changed completely from the man that he was." I nodded in agreement, "But, he has grown into a much stronger and better man. A man, maybe not quite yet, but a man who could one day be worthy of your forgiveness."

Her tone was soft as she looked at her hand and her brow was uncreased as she spoke.

I gaped at her, "How? Do you not remember what he did? He…" I hushed my voice in consideration of my siblings, "He hurt and stole all of those girls, he-he nearly hurt me…" I dwindled off after seeing the confusion in Brigitte's eyes.

I let go of her hand and placed both of mine on my lap.

"You're…" She started slowly, "You're untouched? You're still innocent?" She asked in shock.

I bit my lip and nodded my head, my hands clenched my skirt into bunches. I raised my eyes to look nervously at my friend.

"Hydie, this-this changes everything. Why…?"

"Why did he choose me?" I asked rhetorically, I knew the answer. Me and him were destined to be together, so said the Primals, "Because I had intelligence while the other girls didn't. I can tell you this, you don't need to be that smart to be queen."

Brigitte seemed to ponder this, "Maybe not, but you do have good instincts when it comes to your position. I think that he chose you because he knew you would make a good queen, my Queen." She finished with a smile.

I shook my head, "He was so awful Brigitte; how could he want me to forgive him?" By 'he' I meant Ratri-kar.

"I think he regrets his actions." She answered simply, "I've seen him look sad, depressed even and I feel pity for him. And he cares for you, in a way. He doesn't want you hurt and he doesn't want you to be alone. Do you know why he stayed behind today?"

"Because he didn't want to see a rundown town like Crescent Port?"

Brigitte gave me a wry smile and shook her head, "No. He stayed behind because he didn't want you to be alone."

My eyebrows drew together and my nose wrinkled, "He took me on a picnic."

She laughed, I don't think I'd ever seen Brigitte laugh so freely, "And why did he do that?" She asked merrily.

"Because he wanted to talk. He wanted to ask me to forgive him, and…" I drifted off.

"And…?" She asked, still smiling.

"And he said that he wanted us to call each other by our names." I answered.

Her smile widened upon hearing this, "And why do you think he did that?"

I shrugged, "I honestly have no idea. But he's since been calling me, Hydrangea."

She nodded, "I think he wants to be closer with you, and not to be distanced by titles. You are husband and wife after all."

I made no reply and a blanket of silence fell upon the room once again. This silence was interrupted by a rap on the door. I stood and smoothed my skirt then walked to the door. When I opened it I came face to face with Dimitri.

He smiled, "How is she?" He asked with a hint of nervousness.

I smiled kindly, "She's fine," I turned to Brigitte who had sat up straighter and fixed her hair, "Can he come in."

She nodded eagerly and I granted the man entry. Their shared gaze was kind and affectionate. After sensing the atmosphere of the room I bid them farewell and took my leave.