Chapter 178

"That would be best, Hugh. My son is here for two minutes and he's already fallen into a fountain."

All three heads turned to see where the voice had come from and saw the speaker at the top of the stairs. Hydrangea's eyes widened at her calling Bastian her son. This was Bastian's mother? Curiosity and wonderment swirled in her eyes.

Bastian's mother, Alessandra, had watched her son trip into the fountain then exit, while all throughout it he argued with the young woman. Her keen brown eyes inspected the couple. After a few moments she began descending the stairs and towards the young woman.

"You must be Hydrangea. My son's wife."

Hydrangea nodded. Her thoughts still seemingly swirling. Licking her lips, she answered, "I am. And you're… Bastian's mother? Queen Alessandra?"

The older woman smiled warmly and Hydrangea immediately felt she could trust the woman. She didn't look old and weathered, she looked as though she had lived a healthy life. Her golden brown skin was a few shades lighter than Bastian's, but still much darker than Hydrangea's. Her long, dark brown hair was the same shade as Bastian's. She met her familiar brown eyes as she answered her.

"I am. And please," She grabbed one of Hydrangea's hands, "Call me mother or Alessandra. Whichever you prefer. I am no longer queen."

Hydrangea smiled warmly back and nodded.

"You are still the Queen Mother, of Cadarama." Bastian said from behind them.

Alessandra looked over Hydrangea's shoulder and sighed. "He always has to get a word in somehow, doesn't he?" She muttered, knowing her son could hear her.

Hydrangea laughed but stopped upon seeing Bastian's frown. It was strange seeing someone so close to him interact with him. Dimitri and him were close, but Dimitri had never spoken to him like his mother did.

Alessandra patted Hydrangea's hand and then walked down the steps, "My dear boy, look at the mess you've gotten into within mere seconds of being near a fountain. I think I must have Hugh tie you to the stairs to prevent these accidents."

"Mother. Firstly, it was not my fault. Secondly, I am twenty-two years old. Don't you think I've outgrown being tied to the stairs?"

Alessandra clicked her tongue and swept a tendril of his hair away from his forehead, "You really are getting much too old. But I believe you're never too old for that." She turned on her heel and began walking back up the stairs, "And I may be the Queen Mother, Bastian. But that does not mean I have power, only influence."

Walking to the glass door she turned her head, "Hugh will lead you to your rooms; bathe, get dressed and meet me in my study." After sending Hydrangea another kind smile she walked through the door and closed it behind her.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hugh led them within the house through the servants' entrance.

Hydrangea walked with a faint smile on her face and her hands clasped behind her back. Both of them were tracking water through the palace, which was the reason for the servant's entrance being used.

"So… do you have a habit of falling into fountains?" She asked and giggled at Bastian's harmless glare.

He sighed exasperatedly, "When I was younger, and lived in this palace and the one on my personal island, I…" He massaged his neck bashfully, "Had a tendency to want to grab the fish or flowers in the fountains. And so I fell into many fountains."

Hydrangea had already burst into a fit of laughter before he had finished. Clutching her stomach she continued laughing till they made their way up a set of stairs and to the level of the palace their room was on.

Hugh glanced back at them as they turned a corner. Hydrangea had calmed her laughter, but a pleasant smile was still stretched on her lips. Hugh had never really met the Queen. He'd "met" her the day she had fallen unconscious because of an upset concubine, but he'd never spoken to her. He was rather glad she hadn't truly been killed, he'd always suspected that his leaders weren't dead. So far, the Queen was proving to be quite interesting.

"These are your quarters, my Sovereign, your majesty." He bowed his waist slightly with one arm in front and the other behind his back. Relaxing, he gestured to the doors surrounding them.

Hydrangea observed each door. There were seven in all, all along the wide corridor, and at the end of the corridor was a tall window that filled it with daylight. The polished stone floors were covered with a patterned red carpet. The walls were stone with tall pillars set by each door. And between each door were clay or fine pottery flower vases filled with bright, ornate blooms.

Hugh opened the door he was standing in front of and Hydrangea dashed in. She felt guilty for the mess she was making on the carpet.

Bastian raised a brow and shook his head with a smile, but said nothing as he walked leisurely into the bedroom.

"Do they always have to be so ridiculously extravagant?" She asked him as she motioned to their rather lavish room.

She had decided that their dispute could wait, they had to talk with Alessandra first, they could deal with the day's events afterwards. Just the thought of having the conversation brought her hands to fists.

She hissed at a sudden pain in her palm. She opened it and realized that four crescent shapes were dug into both of her palms. Bastian appeared at her side and gently took hold of her hand. He brushed the red indents with his thumb and she grimaced.

She met his eyes, they were tender and kind, with a hint of chiding. He brought her palm closer and kissed it. A soothing heat passed through her arm and to her chest where it bloomed.

He didn't say anything and only kissed her other palm, which sent another ripple of heat through her. Now was not to the time to be aroused, she told herself. But she could feel the heat settling below her stomach and up into her cheeks. And feel her breathing increase as he continued massaging her hand. His eyes held hers almost hypnotically.

Their moment was broken by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

They both looked up and Bastian grabbed her hand, almost protectively.

"Your baths, have been prepared, my Sovereign, your majesty." Hugh said with a bow.

Hydrangea couldn't help the deep blush that rushed to her cheeks. Had he been in the room the entire time?

"Thank you, Hugh." Bastian said and Hugh bowed once more before he spun around and left the room.

Hydrangea turned around and was surprised to see two maids standing by two separate tin tubs. Both were filled with steaming water.

Were they there when they had entered the room?

She leaned up on her toes to whisper in Bastian's ear, "Do they have to be here? Would it be rude to send them away?"

He chuckled and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "No. But that means I would undress you… and you me."

She tilted back, "No, it doesn't. Who says that's how it must be done?"

He chuckled and inclined himself towards her, his face nearly touching hers, "I do."