"The Imperial Palace really is beautiful." Ashe observed as she strolled through the courtyard of Larsa's home, a helmet-less Judge Gabranth by her side.
"That it is, my lady. The gardens this time of year especially. Though, I must confess, I think I will always prefer Dalmascan architecture." Basch gave the Queen a small smile, which she returned.
"Perhaps one day you could return if you so wish. You know Dalmasca will always have a place for you." She stopped walking and looked into his warm face. "You'll always be welcomed home. You could finally grow your hair back out." Basch let out a hearty laugh.
"You do not like it short?" Ashe wrinkled her nose.
"It doesn't suit you."
"Maybe I will grow it back then." They continued their walk. "I am happy here in Archades, however. Here at Lord Larsa's side. This is where I am supposed to be right now."
"And he is very lucky to have you, though I will not try to hide my envy of him. I miss your company, Basch." The Judge gave his former charge a fatherly smile.
"I miss your company as well, Your Majesty." Basch let out an amused snort as a notion crossed his mind.
"As my skills seem to lie in guarding the young, perhaps I should return to Dalmasca when you have children of your own that need protecting." Ashe made a face of mild alarm at the mention of children.
"You are no glorified babysitter, Basch, and I have far too much on my mind to even consider starting a family." She said in a rush, but she then looked dreamily to the skies and Basch found himself smiling at the unconscious act.
"You know you are too good for him, my lady." He said, simply. Ashe looked down at her feet before a bashful smile found her lips.
"So are the thoughts of every man who has watched a girl grow to be woman in love." She said wisely, before turning to the skies again. Basch knew this was the truth of it. He would probably think the same of any man who tried to win the Queen's affections, and while her heart may have belonged to a man Basch would have never, ever have originally deemed worthy of the Queen, it was clear to all who knew the pair that they belonged together.
They continued in a comfortable silence as they entered the Palace.
"Lord Larsa would bid me ask; your quarters, are they to your liking? Basch enquired after a time. Ashe nodded.
"Yes, they're very comfortable. Thank you."
"They were chosen specially. You must forgive me but we had heard there were some-" He coughed "undesirables in town, who may wish to attempt to enter the Palace and find you. For your safety we have made sure your rooms are the hardest to break into." Ashe found herself grinning.
"Undesirables?" She questioned, looking at her former Knight, knowing exactly what he was implying. "For my safety or for your piece of mind? Tell me, Basch, just how easy is it to break into your rooms?" She teased him. Basch glanced away, embarrassed.
"Fran prefers my hair long as well." He confessed with a shy smile. Ashe found herself laughing as they arrived at her guest chambers.
"Thank you for the walk, Judge Gabranth." The Queen addressed him. "I shall see Lord Larsa and yourself at dinner this evening." Basch bowed to her and took his leave with a knowing look.
"Tell him I said hello." He called as he left. Ashe bit her lip as she stepped inside her room.
Once the door was shut, she looked around her chambers. There were plenty of potential hiding places. She walked over to a table and knocked out a well-known pattern loudly on the wooden surface. She waited a second before hearing the response coming from inside one of the large wardrobes. Grinning, she walked over and opened it to reveal Balthier.
He had clearly gotten bored whilst waiting for her as he had dressed himself up with a box of silk scarves that he had found in the wardrobe. He looked like some exotic belly dancer. Ashe was in hysterics.
She managed to compose herself, and found a scarf being wrapped around her waist so he could pull her to him and hold her in place. She sighed.
"You always have to make an entrance, don't you?" Balthier grinned at her.
"Of course, what kind of Leading Man would I be if I didn't know how to do that?"
"So much for pirate-proofing my room." Murmured Ashe, as she leaned in to kiss him. When they separated, Balthier studied his Princess for a moment.
"Basch knows I'm here, doesn't he?" Ashe nodded, causing the Pirate to frown.
"And he never invites me to dinner. Honestly!"
"He was probably a bit distracted with the knowledge that there's a waiting Viera hiding in his own rooms." The Queen said, as she pulled on the scarf around his neck, drawing him closer to her.
"Ashe, please, that is not an image I want in my mind right now!" Balthier looked genuinely disturbed until Ashe's lips found his.
"Then we'll just have to find a way to make you forget about it, then." She said with a mischievous smile.
Balthier let out a deep and devious chuckle, and Ashe squealed with laughter as they both fell onto the bed in a flurry of silken scarves.