CH 14

It was a meal with a clear purpose.

A favorite spot for socialites and celebrities, a busy Saturday lunchtime. A table placed in a position where the eyes were focused.

The shallow trick was read at a glance, but Bastian readily became a puppet for the two matchmakers. In any case, it was time to show Odette that he would see her at least once in the near future. Thanks to this, he easily got that opportunity, so there was no reason to refuse.

The accident committed by the princess was somehow managed, but rumors were spreading more vigorously as the days went by. The speculation that sooner or later the tragedy of the predecessor would be repeated was gaining strength. There were also quite a few fools who were seriously concerned that their alliance with Bellof would be broken due to a distorted national marriage.

“April is such a wild month. Winter comes again when the flowers are in full bloom.”

Admiral Demel, who had enthusiastically praised the well-matched pair, quietly changed the subject.

“It’s a shame if the game has to be postponed because of the weather.”

Admiral Demel, who exchanged glances with the old Countesss, sighed with a suddenly serious face.

Aware of their purpose, Bastian joined the game by quietly observing. As expected, the next turn was Lady Odette’s chaperone, the Countess of Trier.

“Looks like there’s some important event going on.”

“Ah yes. A friendly polo match between Navy and Army will be held next weekend. It is a meaningful event held every year to promote harmony between the two forces.”

As if Admiral Demel had waited for this opportunity, he quickly gave an answer.

“I see. I remember hearing about it. Does the Captain also participate in the game?”

The Countess of Trier naturally asked Bastian.

“Yes, Countess.”

Understanding the intentions of the two matchmakers, Bastian gave an appropriate answer. Odette, who had been silently eating, only then raised her gaze. Despite diligent repeated chewing and swallowing, there was still a lot of food left on her plate.

“In fact, Captain  Klauswitz is the best player in the Admiralty. Except for the period when he was on the overseas front, he participated as a starting player every year and recorded good results.”

“Really? He wasn’t just good on the battlefield then.”

“Of course. Whether on the battlefield or in the arena, he is an undisputed hero. He has excellent martial arts and even resourcefulness, so I can guarantee that the day he will command the fleet will not be far off.”

Admiral Demel’s voice, which was blatantly praising Bastian, grew louder and louder, but Odette did not show any emotion. The only time anything that could be called emotion floated over her calm face was when she gently looked down at her plate.

Examining the remaining food with a troubled expression, Odette let out a silent sigh and raised her gaze again. Seeing the rearrangement of the cutlery, she seemed to have decided that it was impossible to finish eating.

“I’m not saying this because he is my lieutenant, he really is a good soldier who is nothing short of the naval treasure,” Admiral Demmel finished his long talk with a confident smile. Not realizing that the treasure of the navy had lost to the sea bass dish he was about to eat.

“Now, as long as he gets a good wife, the captain’s life will be perfect. At twenty-six, it’s time to start a family.”

The Countess of Trier looked at Bastian with the narrow eyes of that a sleepy cat. It was a blatant display of her cold true feelings.

“Of course, Countess.”

Haha, Admiral Demel, who laughed awkwardly, added a note of sympathy, delayed by a beat.

“If you don’t have a prior arrangement, how about watching a polo match, Lady Odette? I assure you it will be a good time.”

Admiral Demel, facing Odette, did his duty by issuing orders under the guise of his questioning. If he hadn’t been in a position to follow the will of the emperor, he would never have agreed to this matchmaking.

No matter how great lineage and beauty she had, in the end, there was no substance. She was a useless bride to Bastian, who had to use the marriage as an opportunity to take a leap forward. In other words, it also meant that the lady had the fortune of her lifetime.

“If invited, I will gladly attend.”

In the moment when the Admiral’s heart was about to become heavy as he had to sacrifice his beloved subordinates to be loyal to the empire, Odette opened her mouth.

Then so be it.

A satisfied smile appeared on the face of Admiral Demel he erased the look of discontent in his eyes. It was not that difficult to faithfully return to the role given to him. Tables were cleared and desserts were served while exaggerated expectations for the upcoming weekend.

Admiral Demmel hurriedly emptied the plate, finally putting an end to this pathetic clownish act. So did Bastian and the Countess. Only Odette took slow bites of the plate that was not even half empty while being quiet.

After the meal, Admiral Demel shook Countess Trier’s hand and left the restaurant. Odette left behind naturally became Bastian’s charge.

“Admiral Demmel and I have something to discuss, so we should ask the captain to see Odette off.” The Countess of Trier led Admiral Demmel towards the carriage. 

He, too, seemed content to complete the preliminary negotiations. 

“See you again, Captain.”

The Countess of Trier, who had left a casual greeting, climbed into the carriage. Admiral Demel, who was watching her, soon followed suit. After a successful operation, the carriage carrying the two plotters left across the street.

Bastian lowered his gaze to the woman entrusted to him. Soon after, Odette also turned her head towards him. A car arrived while the two looked at each other. Cream color with golden wheels. 

“Let’s go.”

An elegant smile appeared on Bastian’s insensitive face. Odette, who took her eyes off him, gave a small shake of her head in approval.

Bastian, who greeted the waiter who had brought the car, escorted Odette. The gesture of opening and closing the passenger’s door was as beautiful as that night’s waltz.

There was nowhere to run now.

Odette braced herself, repeating that fact. She had to take responsibility for the decision she had made. Of course, it would not be easy.

Odette had a vague premonition of her coming disgrace and sorrow. But it was all right. Because she knew very well that she was living this life to the best of her ability, and therefore her heart would not be shaken in any case.

Bastian climbed into the driver’s seat just as Odette had made up her mind and caught her breath.

The man’s face, no longer smiling, was as cold as today’s sky.

***

“Tell me if you have a place in mind.”

As the car stopped at an intersection, Bastian finally spoke. Odette, who was watching the cars running from the other side of the road, turned her head in surprise.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know much about these things.”

“What is?”

“So…….. between a young gentleman and a lady.”

After a moment’s pondering, Odette gave an honest answer. A smile crossed Bastian’s lips as he stared at her blankly.

“I will follow the captain’s way.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

Bastian gave an incomprehensible answer and faced forward again.

Had he misspoken?

Thinking long and hard, Odette finally found the answer, while the train passed the tracks and the car started moving again. 

The view of the city from a much different vantage point than when she rode in the carriage or streetcar seemed very unfamiliar.

“If it’s a meeting to spread rumors, I think a place with a lot of eyes would be better.”

It was around the time the car turned onto the Preve Boulevard that Odette found a suitable alternative. The glamorous lights of luxury stores and hotels illuminated the city on a cloudy day.

“That would be the most efficient way.”

Bastian, who readily agreed, began to carefully explore the scenery of the passing downtown district.

Opera house.

It was not yet time for the performance to begin, and it would be difficult to get a good seat now.

Department store.

Although it was crowded with many people, it was rather difficult to stand out because of that.

Hotel.

He wouldn’t want to get involved with this lady like that.

As he crossed off his options one by one, the car approached the center of Preve Boulevard. It was where the two museums stood facing each other.

“Do you like paintings?”

Bastian’s eyes narrowed as he looked in the direction of the Art History Museum. A large poster announcing a special exhibition adorned the exterior of the building. It was not a bad setting, a gathering place for bored ladies with extra money and time on their hands.

“……Yes. I like it.”

Odette, who was carefully examining the place, gave an answer in a low voice.

Bastian, nodding his head, turned the car in that direction without hesitation. Luxurious carriages and cars lined up in the vacant lot behind the building.

The back door was much closer, but Bastian led Odette to the front door, which would attract the most attention. It was when Odette, who had been showing a cooperative attitude, stopped suddenly when she reached the foot of the stairs of the Art History Museum.

A soft smile spread across Odette’s face as she looked up at the sky. Bastian soon found out why.

Snow was falling through the blossoming branches.

It was not uncommon in Lutz with its capricious spring weather, but Odette was looking at the snowy sky with a dreamy face.

How old was this woman?

While Bastian was retracing the memories he had let slip, a snowflake fell on Odette’s eyelashes.

Odette, blinking in surprise, looked much more gentle and younger than usual.

She looked so cold, Bastian thought suddenly. She was a fragile mess, a fleeting thought that stayed quiet like a snowflake and disappeared one moment as petals scattered in the wind and spring snow fell on Odette.

Bastian waited for Odette in the April snow.

He thought it was a burden, but in retrospect, it was also an unexpected gift. Thanks to that, he was able to enter this world amid keen interest and eliminate the princess, who was like a ticking time bomb.

Odette’s name would be of great help to the marriage business. Even if she was in a situation where she had to hit rock bottom from one place to another, she was certainly a woman of noble status and lineage.The marriage with such a partner would rather be a history that increased the name value of Bastian Klauswitz.

He would gladly take advantage of this woman until the day she served her utility.

The moment Bastian came to a clear conclusion, Odette turned her head. Her large, clear eyes were framed by long, dense eyelashes. Cautious curiosity, perhaps vague fear. Either way, it was an emotion not befitting a woman who was selling herself to get out of the abyss.

Lady Odette was quite a liar, a fact that greatly pleased Bastian.

Soon after, a group of noble ladies emerged from the exhibition. Taking off his officer’s hat to reveal his face, Bastian escorted Odette up the stairs of the Art History Museum. It didn’t take long before the attention of the onlookers was focused on them.