CH 29

“This is a contract that summarizes the matters I have mentioned. Please review it.”

Bastian concluded his preamble by handing over the folder. He was able to explain the current situation without too much difficulty, as he was the one who shared the troubles of shielding the troublesome princess.

The emperor ordered the marriage, so a wife of two years was needed. Compensation will be adequate. I think you are the right person. If you agree, the wedding will take place at the end of next month.

After all, the essence was that simple. The woman would have understood easily, since she wasn’t stupid.

If only she had the spirit to do so.

“I can explain again if necessary.”

Bastian’s restrained voice broke the wall of silence between them. After staring blankly at the file folder for a while, Odette finally raised her head.

She was wasting his time and it wasn’t pleasing, but Bastian did not rush. Given the situation the woman was in, it would be difficult to expect her to act intelligently or be dignified.

“So now… Are you proposing to me?”

After blinking her dazed eyes for a while to process the situation, Odette finally spoke.

“More or less. But in this case, I think the word ‘contract’ would be more appropriate. In a manner of speaking, I am offering you a well-paying job.”

“I see. You are suddenly visiting the hospital where my father is sick and offering me a job. Is this a new kind of philanthropy? That’s really kind of you, captain.”

A dry, sarcastic laugh flowed from Odette’s lips. The reason she hadn’t walked away and left this madman alone was purely because she didn’t have the confidence to walk properly.

When the feeling of daze, as if wandering in a dream, disappeared, she finally saw the man standing in front of her properly. Bastian Klauswitz was now talking about buying a bride with his money. A fake wife who would be no better than a scarecrow to be used and thrown away for a deal with the emperor of two years.

Unable to bear the dizziness any longer, Odette staggered back to the bench. While she sat down and caught her breath, Bastian approached.

And again, with a much more assertive manner, he presented the documents.

“I understand that it is a very emotional situation for you, but it would be beneficial for you to try to judge it with an open mind.”

“Are you saying you’re doing me a favor?”

“I’m glad to see you still have a minimum level of clear judgment.”

Bastian bent down and placed the contract on Odette’s lap.

“The wedding will take place on the date set by the Emperor. I  have selected a few suitable candidates for it, and if possible, I will decide on a bride within today. I came here first because Lady Odette is the number one preferable choice, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives.”

Bastian continued his businesslike explanation with an emotionless face. Staring at the man’s blue eyes that did not hesitate or waver even for a moment, Odette lost even the will to get angry.

“The reason I put you first is that you have the best appearance and pedigree. That known fact that we are in a relationship will make it easier and serve a great advantage to have a rush wedding. Of course, it was true that I had the biggest uncertainty, but now that problem has been solved.” 

“If you’re uncertain….”

“If it hadn’t been for your father’s accident, it would have been difficult to put Lady Odette first. It’s not unreasonable to say that breaking his back was the only decent thing Duke Dissen did for his daughter.”

Even with Odette in contemplation in his eyes, Bastian did not hesitate to tell the truth. She was  definitely the best woman to play the role of a trophy wife, but he wasn’t willing to take the risk of having a father in-law who was likely to cause troubles. That fact was true.

If Duke Disen hadn’t been in a position where he had to live quietly in bed for the rest of his life, he (Bastian) wouldn’t have visited this place to make a deal.

“If you have fantasies about a marriage bound by love, you may refuse. But if that’s not the case,  this marriage would not be a bad deal for Lady Odette in my opinion.”

Bastian briefly raised his left hand to check his watch. More than half of the time that was supposed to be devoted to the first priority had already passed.

“You will have to take care of your father in your home once he is discharged from the hospital, and considering the financial situation of your family, you can’t afford nurses or servants, the job will be entirely yours. Moreover it’s not like your relationship with your father is great enough that you would be willing to sacrifice the rest of your life to care for your crippled father while moving from one house to another…Am I wrong?”

Starting to get bored with this meaningless confrontation, Bastian made Odette’s reality known in the simplest and clearest way possible. Odette’s knuckles turned white from gripping the document on her lap.

Bastian watched the woman tremble in the shadow, slightly wrinkled between his brows. She looked like a fragile glass doll, swaying precariously on the edge of a shelf. As if she would crash to the floor at any moment and shatter in pieces. That would be  the only future left for Odette if she refused this deal.

Odette raised her red eyes and looked at Bastian. Unshed tears glistened her eyes, but she didn’t cry. They were the same eyes of the girl of the night she was sold for a gambling debt.

Bastian waited patiently, sending a look of respectful indifference. It was only a few minutes later before Odette’s bloodless hands opened the documents.

***

Strictly speaking, this contract was not a marriage. 

That was the conclusion that Odette came to after carefully reading the documents.

Except for having to live in the same house after the wedding, there was not much difference from now. At public events, they had to present themselves as a perfect couple, but other than that, they simply had to live as strangers.

It was a relationship in which all life shared by normal couples, including sleeping together, was thoroughly excluded.

Spending two years that way would alter their lives.

As she closed the last page of the contract, she finally understood Bastian’s attitude of generosity.

Odette looked at the man beside her with confused eyes different from before. Bastian sat with his legs crossed, staring at the other side of the rose garden. His pure white uniform was now dyed reddish in the late afternoon spring sun.

Odette suddenly became afraid of Bastian Klauswitz. Unlike their first meeting, she was now seized with fear of being hurt by a strange man, it felt like a cold fog was spreading through her veins.

This was a man who, if need be, used even his own life as a means of bargain. He held nothing back for his purposes, and therefore he was beyond predictability and control. It was an aspect that made her think that the reason why the high society was excessively reluctant and wary of Bastian Klauswitz was not just because of his bloodline.

The order that governed the world was like a solid trunk that left numerous variables in its wake worthwhile.

As such, most people struggle to become a surviving branch. Willing to accept being trimmed according to the needs of the tree.

But what could be said? Bastian Klauswitz didn’t seem to want to be part of that tree in the first place. He was a tough vine that sprouted from among the remains of cut twigs and wrapped itself around the tree trunk.

Such a vine would one day kill the tree.

This was the reason why gardeners were terrified of plants with such vigorous and tenacious vitality.

“Is the deal with His Majesty great enough to cost such a large sum?”

Odette’s quiet question seeped into the sweet air. Slowly turning his head, Bastian expressed his affirmation with an emotionless smile.

“After the two-year contract is over, the real bride to marry the Captain will probably be Countess Lenart.”

As her consciousness became clearer, Odette’s voice became clearer as well. As expected, Bastian gave the most honest answer this time as well.

“That’s right. By that time, she  too would have sorted out her first marriage.”

“Is the relationship between the captain and Countess Lenart valid while this marriage lasts? I mean…”

“I will give priority to my wife’s rights in all occasions where we present ourselves as husband and wife. But in my private life, Sandrine de LaViere is far more important to me, and that will not change.”

Bastian succinctly summarized the matter.

The status of his wife and the mistress seemed to have reversed, but Odette calmly agreed. It was ludicrous to apply the standard of common sense to a marriage where everything was a lie anyway.

Odette again lowered her gaze to the contract in her hand.

As long as she signed it, her father could spend the rest of his life in a well-equipped convalescent hospital. Also, Tira would go to a prestigious boarding school and receive a good education. It was like taking off the bind that had bound Odette all her life. Plus there was even enough money to start a new life. It was foolish to miss this opportunity.

But…

All she could do was touch the fountain pen in the file folder, but Odette couldn’t make a decision easily. She was not driven by notions like morality and honor. Rather, fear in a more visceral realm made Odette hesitate.

“Just one day… I need time to think…”

“As I said, I don’t have much time.”

Bastian stood up from the bench after cutting off the difficult request.

“Are you refusing?” (Bastian)

Bastian asked, checking his watch. He looked so cold as though he would turn right away and go in search of the next candidate if Odette did as little as nod.

“Then I will….”

“No!”

Odette gave an impulsive answer and shook her head. Batian, who had approached to retrieve the contract, took a step back as if to say he would grant a temporary suspension.

Odette gripped the fountain pen in her trembling hand.

It may not be the right choice.

But tomorrow, which had yet to come, could not be more fearful than today, which was full of despair. No matter how the next two years played out, it would be better than the reality she should have to face after missing this opportunity. That was enough, she thought.

At least it would be a better ending than disappearing into nothingness.

Odette exhaled as she straightened her grip on the fountain pen. The ink on the tip of the nib bled and fell over the signature line of the contract, creating a stain.

Uncertain, Odette raised her head and examined Bastian’s expression. The face of the man standing with his back to the sunlight was just as emotionless as the first time.

The trembling that started in her fingertips spread all over her body. The fatigue accumulated over the past three days, unable to eat or sleep, overwhelmed Odette in an instant.

Barely conscious of him, Odette put  all her strength into writing her name next to his.

As she struck the final stroke, her grip loosened and the missed pen tumbled to the floor.

Bastian picked it up instead and immediately retrieved the contract. After examining the signature line once again, he announced the conclusion of the contract by covering the folder.

At that moment, a weeping sigh broke out. Odette slumped over as if she was about to collapse, breathing heavily.

“Can you walk?”

Bastian’s question rang in her deaf ears. Unable to voice it, Odette just gave a small nod of her head. It was almost at the same time that she felt herself floating in the air. When she opened her eyes in surprise, Odette was already in the man’s arms.

After casting a quick glance at Odette, Bastian began striding towards the hospital. Not knowing what to do, Odette buried her face in the man’s shoulder. Her body was exhausted as though it was going to break. It seemed unlikely that she would be able to push this large, solid man away in such a state.

“You look weak. We will go to Dr. Kramer’s office.” 

Bastian’s calm voice came into Odette’s fading consciousness.

“But the doctor treats special patients…… .”

“You’re Bastian Klauswitz’s fiancée.”

Bastian cut off Odette’s objection without hesitation, resuming his paused steps. Odette slowly closed her eyes in the unfamiliar body temperature and the clean scent of sunlight.

The marriage contract took effect immediately. There seemed to be no turning back.