CH 41

The raucous melody and merrymaking faded away as Odette ascended to the third floor, where the guest chamber awaited her. 

Guided by a maid, she stepped inside the room located at the eastern end, and though the darkness obscured her sight, she knew that, in the light of day, the bedroom boasted a stunning panorama of the tranquil lake and lush forest beyond the slope.

“I’ll manage on my own.” She thanked the maid for helping her get dressed and continued to get ready by herself after that, embracing the pleasure of being independent.

Her head spun slightly from the effects of alcohol, but she was still able to steady herself. As she removed her wedding ring, she stepped into the bathroom and started running the bathwater, its soothing sound echoing through the room.

had she truly been a good wife? 

A wave of doubt washed over her. The bathtub filled with warm water and Odette allowed herself a moment of reflection. She deeply appreciated Marchioness Demel’s kindness and hospitality, which had allowed her to play the part of Mrs. Klauswitz in a much more relaxed environment than usual. She had savored the exquisite food and pleasant conversations, free from the usual need for vigilance and tension. It was a break from the constant battle of wits she faced every day.

A sudden thought occurred to her as she struggled to stay awake,. Maybe, just maybe, she could find what she was looking for in Bastian’s memories. With determination in her eyes, she delved deep into his mind, sifting through the memories like a detective on the hunt for a clue.

So she worked, and even helped stealing glances at Bastian, afraid he might notice her distraction and admonish her once again for not doing her duty. Despite his stoic demeanor, she sensed his mood shift slightly, perhaps wondering what was going through her mind.

Bastian’s warm laughter and soft gazes filled the dining table with light, making Odette feel at ease in his company. As the night drew to a close, it was Bastian who urged Odette to retire to their room, even though he himself had been drinking more than usual.

‘Good night Odette.’

As Odette climbed the stairs, she could still hear the echoes of Bastian’s voice 

When she caught his eye, she wondered if his sweet greeting was merely an act. But his smile was genuine, and there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes that she couldn’t quite decipher. 

Odette sighed in relief when she came to a rough conclusion and shut off the water. She then noticed the large window that spanned the entire wall past the bathtub.

She glanced through the window with a confused head as she walked over to close the curtains.

The night sky above was a dazzling display of twinkling stars, like a vast ocean above her head. With a sudden impulse, Odette flung open the window, drawn by the mesmerizing beauty of the midsummer night. The Milky Way arched above, accompanied by the rustling whispers of trees and the symphony of insects.

The reason for the large bathroom window finally became clear to her. Odette was enthralled by the enchanting scene for a long while, until she turned away, leaving the window open behind her. With the room dimmed, she shed her gown, ready to slip into the inviting waters of the bathtub.

The ripples ceased, and the bathroom went silent once again.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The haunting howls of coyotes echoed through the dark expanse of the black forest, their calls piercing the stillness of the night.

Bastian halted in his steps and gazed out the window in the hallway, where clusters of stars twinkled in the moonless sky. Memories flooded his mind as he reminisced about the special classes held during nights like these, when the family trained to prepare for unforeseen circumstances and groom a capable successor to lead them into the future.

In the world of immunity-receiving teachers, cruelty was the norm. Yet, a few were exceptions, and their kind-heartedness and deep thinking were rare commodities. Unfortunately, such teachers seldom lasted long.

Bastian’s longest-standing teacher was a retired army officer stripped of his rank for his cruel treatment of soldiers. However, to Bastian’s father, he was a great mentor. After tearing his gaze away from the dim horizon, Bastian continued on his way. Although he was heavily intoxicated, his judgment remained unimpaired.

The invitation to Admiral Demel’s party was always accompanied by the promise of overflowing glasses and bottomless bottles, and Bastian had often succumbed to the temptations of the night. But tonight was different. Tonight, he chose a different path, one that did not lead him to the bottom of the bottle.

He knew that just the right amount of alcohol would lull him into a peaceful slumber, and so he drank enough to take the edge off. As he made his way to his room, a strange sensation crept up his spine. 

Had Odette already gone to bed? 

He hesitated for a moment before quietly pushing open the door.

The lamp on the bedside table cast a warm glow over the empty bed, signaling to him that she was not there. But as he stood there, a sweet melody reached his ears, drawing him in like a siren’s call. The sound, a gentle hum, echoed through the darkness like a lullaby. Bastian followed it, his body moving of its own accord, until he stood before the half-open bathroom door.

Without a second thought, he flung the door open, revealing Odette in all her glory. 

In a mesmerizing moment, Bastian realized the source of the haunting melody was none other than Odette. Her enchanting voice echoed through the room like a spell, casting him under its spell. 

As he stood frozen in place, he  gazed upon the breathtaking sight of her, submerged in the bath by the window. She appeared like a siren, tempting him to join her in the cool, clear water. Her song was like a dream, lulling him into a trance. In the darkness, her naked form shone like a beacon, her vulnerability exposed for all to see. Lost in the moment, she remained oblivious to his presence.

Bastian fought back a sudden surge of unease and a feeling of hollowness, balling his hands into fists. And just as he did, a gust of wind swept through the trees beyond the dark forest, causing the leaves to rustle and creating a wave of sound that shattered the silence of the night.

Odette abruptly stopped singing and turned her head, following the direction of the wind. Her eyes locked onto Bastian’s, and in that moment, the transparent darkness of the midsummer night seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them.

But then, fear flashed across her face, and she stared at him blankly. A sharp scream threatened to escape her lips, but Bastian acted quickly, intuited the crisis, and moved to prevent it.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Bastian launched himself towards the bathtub and clamped his hand over Odette’s mouth to stifle her scream. Despite her feeble attempts to resist, his   strength easily subdued her. The silence of the midsummer night was restored as the wind that had shaken the forest gradually died down.

Bastian’s heart raced as he strained to hear any sign of movement outside the bathroom door. The muffled chatter and laughter of the partygoers slowly faded away, indicating that the night’s festivities had finally come to an end.

With a relieved sigh, Bastian turned his attention back to Odette, who was now visibly shaken and as pale as a ghost. It was hard for him to reconcile this vulnerable, frightened woman with the bold and bewitching creature he had encountered just moments before.

His eyes searched for any sign of understanding from her, trying to make sense of the bizarre occurrence. His grip remained firm, ready to act swiftly in case of any sudden movements or surprises.

Odette’s body quivered under Bastian’s touch, her resistance growing stronger as his gaze trailed down her slender neck, tracing the path of blue veins and down to her clavicle. The drops of water on her heaving chest glistened in the soft light, falling into the still water with a gentle plink. As the noises of the partygoers faded away, Bastian lifted his gaze from her body.

“Shhh.” Bastian gestured to be quiet, placing a finger over his lips.  Odette’s eyes widened with fear, but she obediently nodded.

Bastian released his grip on Odette and rose to his feet, with a quick motion, he tossed a towel towards the trembling woman, who eagerly snatched it up and wrapped it around her shivering form. Odette’s breaths came in rapid gasps, as if she had just narrowly escaped some great danger.

“What brought you here? Why…” Odette struggled to breathe and stuttered over her words. Bastian greeted her eyes with clear, bewildered eyes, and he soon understood the situation.

“Did you truly believe this room was meant for you alone?” His frustration was tangible, evident in the way he licked his parched lips and let out an exasperated laugh.

“Originally, we…”

“Why don’t we inform Admiral Demel, the Emperor’s confidant, right away?” Bastian’s voice cut through the air, “Dear You Grace. you see, our marriage is a charade. We are merely playing the roles of a married couple, and we don’t even share a bed. It would be greatly appreciated if we could have another room, separate from each other. Could that be arranged?“

“I’m……sorry,” Odette’s voice trembled as she spoke, “I had hoped that you would find a solution to our problem, but… I was wrong.” her voice laced with tears and barely audible in the darkness. 

Her hand shook as she reached up to wipe her flushed face, as if trying to snap out of her daze, but it seemed to have little effect.

“Clean up and come out.” Bastian exited the bathroom and shut the door behind him, finally catching sight of his own disheveled, damp appearance.

After hastily patting himself dry, he stepped out onto the balcony for a smoke. As he exhaled a cloud of white smoke, his gaze drifted downwards and he realized that his arousal had not yet abated.

With a wry laugh, Bastian released another plume of smoke and let out a mix of a sigh and a curse.