CH 17

The structure of the polo club was more complicated than Odette expected.

An arched passageway connected to the stadium revealed a garden surrounded by horseshoe-shaped buildings. The entrance and exit were located at the end of the path connecting them.

Odette hurried across the garden. She had intended to finish what she needed to do before Bastian returned from picking up the equipment he had missed, but that promise was lost as soon as she entered the first floor.

It was different from the description.

Enter the lobby of the building and then go straight. The second door on the right at the end.

The location of the powder room Ella told her was definitely the same, but there was no direct pathway into this building.

The only thing in front of Odette was a fork in the road that stretched left and right.

Confused, Odette took another long look back at her memory. She asked if there would be a place to tidy up her clothes, and Ella von Klein, who said she knew the location of the powder room, came forward, and Odette listened attentively to the directions. Once she was certain that she hadn’t left out or missed anything, there was only one conclusion she could draw.

A complacent initiation ceremony. 

Come to think of it, the young ladies burst into laughter at Ella’s insignificant explanation. It seemed that this was probably what it meant.

It may have been a simple prank, but either way it was nothing to be concerned about.

Accepting the immediate reality, Odette first headed to the right side of the building. Because the dizziness started again, it was difficult to move fast, but it was not too much trouble to move slowly.

The problem was not keeping the weather variable in mind. The lingering snow from last weekend still lingered in many parts of the city, but today the sunlight poured in like the beginning of summer. 

I should have taken the maid’s advice to allow a little more leeway.

Odette let out a deep sigh as she touched the outline of the corset that was holding her breath.

It was Odette who demanded that the strings be tightened more than necessary. It was because Bastian’s stare, blatantly scanning her body, reminded her of the embarrassing evening ball. Again, it was a decision she had made that she would rather suffer the inconvenience than go through it again. She never dreamed that she would find herself in such a predicament.

“The two of you look so good together. I don’t think I would be surprised at all to hear that you’re getting married soon.”

Odette had just reached the end of the hallway when she heard a woman’s voice mixed with laughter.

“If Lady Odette is chosen as your bride-to-be, at least be kind to inform me in advance. I think our friendship is worth that much. Don’t you agree?”

The mention of her own name, which she heard in a completely unexpected place, grabbed Odette’s ankle as she was already about to turn around.

A young man’s laughter followed as she contemplated the proper course of action. Bastian. It was unmistakably that man.

“I don’t much prefer that kind of speech, Countess. I thought you already knew it well, but I guess I was mistaken.”

Unlike his soft voice, which had a hint of laughter, Bastian’s tone was very cold.

“From the point of view of the matter at hand, Lady Odette and I are merely a business relationship in which we are cooperating for our own interests. Is that a good enough answer?”

“Can you swear it?”

In the voice of the woman who asked back, there was joy and relief that could not be hidden.

“If it is an oath to God, I will decline. It is nothing more than a senseless notion to me.”

“How about an oath to all your glory and prosperity?”

“Well, Sandrine. Wouldn’t that be a bit excessive?”

The woman burst into laughter at the casually thrown intimate joke.

“I’m sorry. I know I’m being sensitive, but sometimes it’s hard to control my insecurities.”

“I understand, Countess.”

“I think it will take much longer than initially promised to complete the divorce process. I would rather give up everything and find my freedom, but it seems father’s will is different.”

The woman let out a sigh of relief.

“A while ago I got a letter from my father. He knew the atrocities committed against you to protect the princess by the emperor. I think my father sees it as a good opportunity. It is a much better picture for the world to see if you have a woman as well, rather than quickly marrying a divorcee.”

“My thoughts are no different from Lord LaViere’s.”

“There must be cold blood flowing inside my father’s veins and yours.” Sandrine wasn’t so harsh even at the moment of disapproving criticism. 

LaViere.

Odette’s eyes wavered as she stoically repeated the name.

The red-haired noble lady who had been married into a prestigious family in Pelia, her maiden name was clear. Sandrine de LaViere.

The whole society knew she was going through the divorce process, but she was clearly still married to Count Lenart.

“Can you do me one small favor for my need of comfort?”

Sandrine’s voice, which had become more intimate, came through Odette’s increasingly rapid heartbeats.

“Tell me, Sandrine.”

Again, Bastian laughed. Not wanting to eavesdrop on it anymore, Odette quietly turned away.

“I want you to give me your night just like how you give her your day.”

Their illicit conversation ended with blunt words of seduction that fell away from Odette’s ears.

Returning to the lobby of the main entrance, Odette took a shaky breath and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. And again, this time she began to take calm steps towards the left side of the building. All she had to do was find the powder room, rearrange her attire, and then go back to the business relationship.

It was easy.

***

“I don’t think our friendship is so insignificant as to be tarnished by a fleeting desire, is it?”

Bastian’s answer was not at all different from what was expected. Despite this, Sandrine chided herself bitterly, feeling ridiculous about her disappointment once again.

He was a man who could not be tied down. If there was one consolation, it was that all other women were no different.

A man who could be assured that he would never celibate, but he was the most faithful ever in his attitude towards the lustful society ladies. He was hateful and all the more alluring.

“Yes. Friendship. A very, very precious friendship.”

Sandrine let out a long sigh of resignation. It was at that time that Bastian, who had been silently watching, approached.

He calmly fixed the hat’s decoration while Sandrine, blushing like a schoolgirl, held her breath. Now, the distance between them was only a hand’s span, but it seemed that only Sandrine was conscious of that fact.

“Keep your dignity, Countess.”

Once he had corrected the shape of the corsage one last time, Bastian slowly backed away.

“It looks much nicer.”

Bastian casually gave an absurd compliment despite the reproachful expression on Sandrine’s face.

Sandrine only smiled helplessly, though Bastian’s calculating true intentions were clearly visible, with no intention of holding on, but that didn’t mean he was willing to let her go.

She knew this man was cleverly taking advantage of her, but she didn’t mind that. After all, Bastian Klauswitz was a man who loved nothing, not even himself, except for his boundless ambition.

Leaving a polite greeting as if nothing had happened, Bastian turned away leaving Sandrine in the shadows.

Watching his back as he moved away, Sandrine involuntarily reached out and touched the ornament on her hat. She didn’t hate the feeling of her cheeks heating up again.

She was again grateful for the fact that the man was a despicable snob.

What Sandrine wanted wasn’t just love. Because that didn’t mean anything to Bastian anyway. If so, she wanted to be what he needed most, and now the day to fulfill that dream was approaching.

Just as her heart swelled with the satisfaction that fact had given her, Bastian disappeared around the corner.

For a long time afterwards, Sandrine could not pull her hand away from the hat she was touching.

***

It was near the end of the reception when Odette returned. Judging by the bewildered look on her face, she seemed completely unaware of the end of the event.

Bastian, who had been waiting for the woman who had disappeared without a word, stood up with a formal smile on his face. Since the other players had already completed the pre-ceremony, the attention of the people was focused on them as the last remaining pair. She was a woman with the natural ability to attract great attention anytime, anywhere.

“I’m sorry. The structure of the building is complicated, so I got lost for a while.”

After catching her breath, Odette made a brief apology. The secret meeting in the clubhouse suddenly flashed through his mind, but Bastian didn’t care much. Even if Odette had overheard, there would be no problem.

“The pre-ceremony isn’t over yet, so it’s okay.”

“Pre-ceremony?”

“It’s a tradition where a lady gives her partner something to show support. If you give me even a small thing, I will repay you with a victory.”

Bastian glanced at the officer couple standing beside him. Seeing the husband wearing his wife’s pendant around his neck, Odette nodded her head with a small sigh. She seemed to quickly grasp the situation, nevertheless, she did not readily respond.

Bastian realized the reason only after carefully examining Odette once more.

With borrowed things, she was barely a noblewoman. She didn’t have anything that could be said to be wholly hers, so she wouldn’t be willing to give it away. The giggling of the onlookers, who guessed that fact, penetrated the silence between the two of them.

“Captain, I….”

Bastian moved just as the struggling Odette barely parted her lips.

Taking a giant step forward and coming up behind Odette, Bastian untied her hairpiece without hesitation.

The pink ribbon with a subtle sheen was cool and smooth like the nape of the woman’s neck when his fingertips lightly brushed against.

Holding the ribbon, Bastian returned to stand in front of Odette once again. Her loose long hair swayed gently in the spring breeze. It was a much better looking figure than when it was overly tidy.

“I will cherish it.”

Bastian left a formal greeting and turned around.

He only imitated chivalry while playing ball on horseback.

He thought it was a ridiculous show and he never followed it, but there were many eyes watching this year. If it would be advantageous for him to be moderately formal, there was no reason why he could not.

Sitting astride his steed, Bastian tied a fake lover’s token tightly under the handle of his stick. The end of the ribbon was delicately embroidered with the initials of Odette decorated with small flower patterns.