CH 15

They appeared like a swarm of bees who had found their flowers.

The special exhibition hall of the Art History Museum was crowded with onlookers who had gathered to hear the news spread from mouth to mouth. No matter what anyone said, the most popular work here was the grandson of an antique dealer and the daughter of an abandoned princess. It was clear that the ridiculous rubbish the emperor had paired them with.

After carefully viewing the first exhibit, they quietly moved on to the next. Standing side by side, they admired the works in silence. No conversation took place between the two. They seemed like affectionate lovers at first glance, but on the other hand, they seemed like perfect strangers.

The spectators, immersed in the cryptic riddle, were now glancing at the two blatantly, forgetting even the bare minimum of being discreet. Even though the couple couldn’t be unaware of the stinging gazes, yet they uniformly maintained their supercilious demeanor.

It didn’t look like he was planning an overnight runaway with the princess.

By the time they left the second room, the onlookers reached an unspoken conclusion. However, it was equally difficult to see that he was passionately in love with the daughter of the Duke of Dissen.

Then what was the truth?

It was around the time when curiosity reached its peak that the rich people began to be excited.

The antique dealer’s grandson turned his head.

It was a quiet stir that occurred only after passing through three exhibition halls.

***

Odette’s attention was entirely focused on the exhibition.

At first, he dismissed it as a pompous performance, but at this point, he had no choice but to admit the woman’s sincerity.

Bastian lowered his zealous glances through the paintings and sculptures and began to admire the woman. Odette, who opened the pamphlet she had brought from the entrance, explored the works with the attitude of an enthusiastic art student. For the most part, her face was calm and preoccupied, but occasionally, when curious, the corners of her eyes folded. She smiled faintly when she found the answer in the pamphlet, and tilted her head slightly when she still had doubts.

In the final exhibition room of the special exhibition, traditional paintings were displayed. They were mainly nudes with mythological and classical themes.

Odette approached the painting at the far end of the exhibition hall. As if she had completely forgotten that she had a companion, she didn’t even glance at Bastian once.

Bastian followed the woman, keeping a few paces apart. Through the window facing the plaza, the streets of Lutz were already white with spring snow.

It’s a relief that I’m not there, Bastian suddenly thought as he looked at the Natural History Museum across the plaza. It was not much different from the other museums in that the subjects were of no interest to him anyway, but here was better than admiring botanical specimens and fossils.

Bastian, having erased his idle thoughts, closed the distance between him and Odette with his wide strides.

Standing among the beautiful things that exist quietly, the woman seemed to be part of the landscape. 

“Thanks to this exhibition hall, I don’t think it’s a waste of money.”

The moment Bastian started talking was the moment he stood in front of the last piece.

Only then did Odette recall the existence of the man beside her and raised her head in surprise. Bastian had a serious expression uncharacteristic of a person who was just making a light joke.

Odette, who had been staring at him calmly, smiled defenselessly shortly after. A smile similar to Odette’s also appeared on Bastian’s lips. The shadows of the eyes fluttering on the faces of the two smiling at each other deepened the silence of this moment.

“It seems that even the competent teachers of Lapen, who made the captain able to dance a gentleman’s dance, failed to develop a gentlemanly discernment.”

“Not true. I’m speaking from the perspective of a gentleman Lapen’s teachers raised.”

“Are you trying to tarnish the reputation of your alma mater?”

“If you look at the pictures the gentlemen of Lapen have pasted on the door of the dormitory closet, you will agree with my opinion.”

Bastian smiled lightly and glanced over the paintings filling the exhibition room. The feast of various nudes in the glittering frames was impressive, but there was no more inspiration. Of course, it was nothing compared to the classic and intricate works in the exhibition hall they saw earlier.

“Could it be that the captain was also a student who put up such paintings (nude paintings)?”

Looking at him with deep eyes, Odette asked a strange question.

“What do you think?”

Bastian tilted his head while asking a counter question calmly. Taken aback by the unexpected reaction, Odette held her breath involuntarily. At this moment, Bastian’s smile had already been replaced with an unknown calmness.

Was there ever a time when this man was an immature boy?

Of course there was, but for some reason she couldn’t quite picture him that way.

“… I think it’s enough for today.”

Gently lowering her eyes, Odette announced the end of the play. She tried to erase the heat still lingering on her cheeks and earlobes, but that was beyond her will.

“I will respect the young lady’s wishes.”

After a moment of silence, Bastian responded with a voice as dry and soft as usual.

Odette was relieved then and raised her head. Walking ahead, the shadow of the snowflakes reflected on the window was dyeing Bastian’s broad back.

Odette concluded to herself that Bastian Klauswitz’s dorm room must have been absolutely clean and tidy.

He was, somehow, the kind of man that would suit him.

***

After leaving the exhibition hall, the two went back to the first floor to retrieve the coats they had left. They had just left the rear gate of the Art History Museum when Odette made an abrupt request.

“Let’s part here.”

Odette stopped at the foot of the snow-covered stairs and said quietly.

“It is my duty to see you home.”

“It’s okay, Captain. Actually, it’s getting close to the time my sister is done with school. The school is nearby, so I’ll go home with her.”

“In that case, I will give you and your sister a ride home.”

“No. Tira will be uncomfortable.”

“The snow won’t stop anytime soon. It would be too much to go on foot.”

“I’ll take the train. I had a good time thanks to the captain. Thank you.”

So far.

Odette used a kind smile to solidify her decision. Her attitude was as cold and soft as the feel of snowflakes grazing her cheeks.

Bastian checked his watch and nodded his head as if he had lost.

The time for their next meeting was not far away. Considering the poor road conditions made worse by the snowfall, it was time to leave. It was not a place where there would be much trouble if it was delayed for a while, but there was no need to commit rudeness for a woman who did not want favors. 

“Then see you at the polo match.”

Odette, who left a businesslike greeting, walked away.

Staring at her back, Bastian turned around shortly after. Just as the snow on his collar melted, the memories of Odette soon faded from his mind.

After getting into the car, Bastian went to a high-end shopping street and bought flowers for his aunt. It was on the road to the Gross’s residence that he remembered Odette’s presence again.

There was a woman on the opposite side of the road who was craning her neck to wait for the light.

Odette was standing at the train stop not far from the Art History Museum. It seemed the excuse she gave about her sister wasn’t false, she was with a girl in a school uniform.

Odette maintained her undisturbed posture even with the heavy-looking grocery bag in her arms. She looked completely different from her younger sister, who was jumping and talking like an excited puppy.

The child, who went quiet for a while after Odette admonished her, started chatting again shortly after. Not only in appearance, but even in personality. The sisters were remarkably different.

While Bastian, with a cigarette in his mouth, was looking for his lighter, the train appeared. As the people shivering from the cold rushed ferociously, Odette was quickly pushed back. Apparently, she was not in a condition to ride the train.

Bastian suddenly realized at that moment that the woman was very poorly dressed. The blouse and skirt were obviously neat, but the overcoat was extremely worn. Because the marriage proposal started around the time the flowers were in bloom, it seemed that she had not yet been able to prepare for winter clothes.

Hoot, a loud horn echoed across the road.

Bastian turned the car around with a sigh. The train that had stopped at the stop station departed. As expected, there were still passengers who had failed to board, but Odette was nowhere to be seen.

Lighting the end of the cigarette between his lips, Bastian sped past the stop sign without slowing down. Even though she was pushed back by the line, Odette still had the willpower to squeeze into the crowded train, and the vehicle carrying the woman turned into a red dot and moved away.

Blowing out a puff of smoke, the woman was once again forgotten in the scattered white mist.

***

The door suddenly opened while Odette was looking for the key.

She and Tira looked through the open door with surprised faces. Standing there was their father, who, for some reason, didn’t smell like alcohol.

“What are you doing standing there? Hurry up and come in.”

Duke Dissen took a step back and widened the entryway.

It was unbelievable, but Odette entered the house first and the hesitant Tira soon followed.

Carrying the groceries handed over from Odette to the kitchen, the Duke sat down at the end of the table.

His attitude was completely different from usual. Helpful and sober.

“I’ll prepare dinner.”

After changing her clothes, Odette went back to the kitchen and put on her apron. Her father was still at the table.

“Your age… twenty.”

The father, who was only making a meaningful expression, started talking when Odette finished cutting the potatoes for the stew.

“Twenty one.”

Odette gave a calm answer and opened the bag of flour.

Duke Dissen, wide-eyed, sighed, repeating the age of his daughter, whom he had finally come to know. He had a face that looked very disturbed or perhaps happy, but Odette did not know the reason. However she didn’t pursue the matter because she would never understand him anyway.

The light of the new oil lamp illuminated Odette diligently preparing the meal. After a while, Tira came to the kitchen and started helping.  The picture was so normal, so warm with love, giving the illusion that it had always been like that.

On a snowy April weekend, the evening at the Dissen family was peaceful for the first time in a long time.