CH 44

Bastian’s eyes stole a captivating sight when descended down the trail towards the valley. He saw a beautiful woman stood knee-deep in the rippling waters of the ravine, drawing his attention away from his intended destination. 

He pondered what she could be doing there, completely unaware of everything around her. Little did he know, it was none other than Odette, the enigmatic woman soon to enthrall his every thought and imaginations.

Like a jolting force beyond his control, Bastian’s eyes darted and his feet carried him forward, leading him straight to her mesmerizing gaze. His feeble attempted to resist, but he found himself standing before her in a state of complete surrender. 

At the meantime, he deeply felt a sense of foolishness, realizing how powerless he truly was in the face of her captivating presence. As their eyes locked, he saw her fingers quivering, betraying the façade of composure she had so expertly crafted.

The gentle breeze had ceased its playful dance, yet the delicate petals of her untamed floral collection continued to sway in sync. Clutching her skirt in her other hand, Odette stood poised, searching for something valuable in the distance. Bastian felt mixture of amusement and annoyance at the sight of his wife trembling as if anticipating an imminent attack from untamed creatures.

As soon as he approached the edge of the valley, the gentle murmur of the nearby stream filled his ears. But his attention was quickly diverted as he caught sight of Odette frozen in a moment of panic. With her delicate form delicately balanced over the glistening stream, her eyes were fixated on something that had slipped from her grasp.

Without a second thought, Bastian plunged into the refreshing waters with a powerful splash. The cool liquid enveloped his body, invigorating his senses as he scanned the depths for any sign of Odette’s lost treasure. But his sharp eyes quickly locked onto the shining beacon that had eluded her, a breathtaking rose-colored gem that seemed to glow with its own radiance.

“Hey there, Captain Klauswitz! It seems you couldn’t wait for the fish to bite, and decided to reel yourself in for the day and run to your lovely wife,” quipped Admiral Demel, his boisterous laughter echoing through the forest.

The sound of raucous merriment carried up the winding hiking trail, heralding the arrival of Demel and his entourage of high-ranking Navy officials. 

With a brief silent bow in response, Bastian moved towards his stiff wife. He considered giving the necklace back to her and walking away, but it didn’t seem like a wise move at the time.

“Be cautious, for there are many eyes upon us,” cautioned Bastian, his voice a low and urgent murmur as he leaned in towards Odette. She recoiled in surprise, startled by his sudden proximity and the gravity of his words.

Odette found herself trapped in a binding contract, and Bastian knew all too well that escape was not an option, no matter the consequences, even if he were to break all his promises.

She stood at the edge of a precarious precipice, torn between the drive to secure the financial guarantee promised to her and the overwhelming sense of duty and responsibility she felt towards her own life. The stakes were high, and the slightest misstep could spell disaster.

Though the temptation to cause a commotion and flee was great, Odette refused to succumb to the irrational urge. Her attachment to life and the weight of her responsibility were too strong, and she knew that only by standing firm and facing her fears could she emerge victorious from this perilous situation.

With a gentle touch, Bastian clasped the necklace around her neck, the open locking ring glittering in the soft light. Despite the fear and antipathy that she conveyed, his will was unshakable, and her emotions were not a factor to be considered.

For in this marriage, the dominant force was him, the powerful one who did as he pleased. And in exercising his right to rule, he showed no mercy, for he was beholden only to his own desires.

As the silly jokes and laughter of onlookers drifted on the cool breeze, Bastian reveled in his triumph, savoring the sense of control that he held over his wife. 

Odette was filled with a sense of overwhelming despair as she struggled to endure this unbearable moment. Despite her best efforts to resist, all she could manage was a resentful glare towards Bastian, whose face betrayed neither guilt nor remorse for his past outrageous actions.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, devoid of any hint of emotion or feeling. They seemed to bore into her soul, rendering her powerless and helpless to resist his unyielding will.

Just as Odette felt as though she could no longer bear the intensity of Bastian’s unwavering gaze, the locking ring on the necklace finally snapped into place, releasing her from the torturous ordeal. With a sigh of relief, she gasped for breath, her body trembling with the weight of the moment.

But as she struggled to regain her composure, another group of guests suddenly appeared on the trail, disrupting the fragile peace that had settled upon them. And in that moment of chaos, Bastian’s hand slowly swept down the nape of her neck, tracing the contours of her skin until it found the pendant where her heart beat fiercely.

Overcome with a sudden surge of emotion, Odette pushed Bastian away with all her might, unable to bear the intensity of his touch any longer.

When the wind picked up, the wildflower bouquet slipped from her grasp, its delicate petals scattering across the flowing stream. Her skirt fluttered in the gusts, threatening to drag her off balance and send her tumbling into the icy waters below.

But Bastian remained unmoved, a pillar of unyielding strength amidst the tempestuous currents. Only Odette faltered, her footing slipping beneath her as she stumbled towards the brink of disaster. In that moment of crisis, his sturdy arms wrapped around her back, holding her fast and saving her from the ignominy of a humiliating plunge.

Yet even as she clung to him for support, Odette wondered if his intrusion was a blessing or a curse.

“Oh…. .” 

Odette watched with despair as the bouquet of flowers was carried away by the water’s current.

The surface of the water sparkled with a myriad of colors as the carefully collected flowers danced and twirled in the gentle current. Odette watched, transfixed, as they swirled and eddied, each one a fleeting vision of beauty.

But as the last flower disappeared from view, she was left staring blankly across the stream, lost in thought. Beside her, Bastian’s gaze was also fixed on the water’s edge, his arms wrapped tightly around her in a protective embrace.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

In the days that followed, Odette often found herself returning to that fateful day, etched in her memory like a vivid dream. 

The afternoon sun had cast its warm glow over the summer forest, the sound of rushing water filling her ears with its endless song.

Amidst the vibrant colors of the flowers and the crystalline clarity of the water, she had felt a sense of peace and wonder that she had never known before. But as the memory faded, one thing remained clear – Bastian, the enigmatic man who had left an indelible mark on her soul.

This misunderstanding would eventually pass away to the other side of life, just like the flowers that had floated away in the river.

Odette was enveloped by a sense of familiarity and comfort when she suddenly opened the door to her small study. This was her only sanctuary, a place where she could escape from the chaos of the reality life and find solace in her work.

The interior decoration of the room was a evidence to her refined tastes and Sandrine’s careful attention to detail. Completed just a week after her return from the Demel’s residence, it was adorned with classical landscape paintings and delicate Pelia ornaments, reflecting Sandrine’s request to some extent.

Seated at her desk, facing the painting she had personally selected, Odette delved into the head maid’s work report. As she pored over the details of the household’s affairs, she found peace and solace in the familiar routine of her work. And though the world outside may have been in turmoil, she knew that she had a space to retreat, a refuge from the storm and hurricanes.

With the dwindling number of guests, Ardene’s daily life became increasingly monotonous. Save for the weekends when Bastian came to visit, she spent most of her time alone in the villa, immersed in the routine of her work and the quiet solitude of her thoughts.

Occasional visits from her relatives provided a fleeting break from the tedium, but they were few and far between. Outings were kept to a minimum, a decision that shehad made in a moment of lucidity, realizing that contact with the outside world should be reduced as much as possible.

Two months had already passed since the wedding, and soon the short summer of Berg would come to an end, giving way to the cool, windy season. With each passing day, the inexorable march of time carried them forward towards an uncertain future.

And though the next summer would surely come, and the summer after that, she knew that their marriage was not meant to last. 

Odette recognized that two years might not be all that long, and she became a little more careful. It was now time for her to take care of herself because the amicable newlyweds had had enough of being treated rudely. To lessen the effects of their divorce, it was the correct thing to do.

“The furniture for the solarium will be arriving this afternoon,” the maid reported.

“Excellent work, Dora. You may take a break now,” Odette smiled kindly and acknowledged the report, giving the maid permission to rest and recharge.

As the maid stepped back, Odette turned her attention to the stack of mail on her desk, her eyes falling upon a letter from Tira.

While sipping her tea,  she read Tira’s letter with rapt attention. The pages were filled with news of new friends, current interests, and the exciting expectations for the new semester that was about to begin. It was a very Tira-like letter, full of energy and enthusiasm, and it brought a smile to Odette’s face.

But as she finished reading, her thoughts turned to a more pressing matter. Would Bastian agree to her request to visit her sister for a day?

Odette pondered for a few moments, her pen poised over the open notebook.

“Let’s try to avoid bumping into each other,” she wrote down.

When she made her way back from a weekend at the Demel’s, she knew that a difficult decision lay ahead. With a heavy heart, she resolved to keep herself safe by avoiding any conflict with Bastian, no matter the cost.

For she had learned the hard way that it was when their paths crossed that the tension between them reached its breaking point. And though Bastian could be a man of few emotions, his wrath was a fearsome thing to behold, leaving Odette shaken and alone in its wake.

Yet even as she struggled to come to terms with the reality of her situation, she knew that they could continue on as polite strangers, bound together by the tenuous thread of their marriage.

They had to spend one more night in the Demels’ villa, but nothing bad happened like it had the day before. Bastian, who had spent the entire night playing cards and hadn’t entered the bedroom until just before morning, is to blame.

Odette gave her husband the bed and then left for the early morning walk she’d promised Marchioness Demel the day before. It was a respectful, natural outing. There was no difference between the two weekends they spent together in the Ardennes.

Odette welcomed her husband with a stunning display that belonged on the opera house stage.

Without a single idea or judgment in her head, she simply laughed while sitting motionless. Resentment occasionally crept in, the memory her being almost-raped flooded back but Odette handled it admirably. She would rather suffer disgrace than experience that once more. 

Only one letter remained in the stack of mail by the time the sunshine peaked through the window’s open curtains and reached the desk’s end. Maxime von Xanders, the charming botanist, the charming botanist had sent the letter.

Upon learning that Odette was creating a garden for their new mansion, Count Xanders took it upon himself to offer his expertise. With a kind and gentle demeanor, he recommended plants and flowers that would thrive in the unique climate of Ardennes, sharing his knowledge and experience with a generosity that was rare indeed.

And though his words were brief, they carried with them a warmth and sincerity that touched her deeply. For in his greeting, she sensed not only a deep gratitude for his kindness to her daughter, but also a genuine concern for her well-being.

As Odette stood up, her heart still warmed by the kindness of the letter, she was interrupted by the arrival of an unexpected message. New furniture had arrived, and she knew that she must make haste to oversee its placement.

Quickly smoothing down her hair and straightening the folds of her skirt, she made her way to the solarium, where the interior decorator awaited her arrival. Together, they worked tirelessly to ensure that each piece was perfectly placed, taking great care to bring out the full beauty and elegance of the room.

And as they finished their work, Odette’s eyes were drawn to an unexpected surprise – a grand piano, sitting proudly in the center of the hexagonal room, its polished wood and gleaming keys.

As Odette gazed at the magnificent piano, her curiosity got the better of her. “Did my husband buy the piano?” she asked.

The interior decorator smiled proudly as he opened the lid of the piano, revealing its exquisite interior. “Actually, it was my idea to put a piano in the solarium,” he said, a hint of self-satisfaction in his voice. “And your husband was more than happy to agree. But I must say, this is not just any piano. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get a piece as rare and beautiful as this.”

Although he was boasting, at least this claim was fairly accurate. Odette saw this at a glance for a person who had been playing the piano for many years.

Odette looked at the magnificent piano before her keenly, and wondered. For Bastian, a man who had never shown any interest in music, to have chosen such a luxurious instrument was a mystery that she could not unravel.

But even as she pondered the enigma before her, she knew that it was not hers to solve. And then she reminded herself of a simple truth: “Don’t be greedy for what isn’t mine.” 

Odette scolded herself for her uncharacteristic greed, her eyes remained fixed on the beautiful piano before her. Even though she knew that she could never possess such a magnificent instrument, she couldn’t cease longing and desiring to play it.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian’s departure from work was a welcome relief, coming earlier than he had anticipated. The preparations for the naval festival had been completed. But even as he savored this moment of respite, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of resignation and weariness.

For he knew that his reprieve would be short-lived, and that he would soon have to return to the grindstone once again.

“I’ll rest for a bit, Lovis” 

Bastian’s command was brief and to the point. With that, he made his way to the study on the second floor.

The allotted break was less than thirty minutes, excluding the time he needed to get dressed and walk around.

Bastian sank into his plush wing chair, shedding his uniform jacket with a heavy sigh. Having taken several days off from work in order to complete his urgent business as quickly as possible, he knew that there was still much to be done. And so he worked late into the night, until the wee hours of the morning, before finally returning home to catch a few hours of rest.

But even as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift off, the insistent ring of the telephone shattered his peace. He could have ignored it, could have let Lovis take the call, but something inside him compelled him to answer.

And so he rose from his chair, crossed the room to his desk, and picked up the receiver with a sense of weary resignation.

“Yes. This is Bastian Klauswitz.”

Bastian held the receiver to his ear, the late afternoon sunlight casting a warm glow across his face. He waited patiently for a response, but none came.

As he was about to hang up, a voice on the other end spoke up, offering an awkward greeting. Bastian couldn’t quite place the voice, but he knew it was someone he had spoken to before.

“It’s me,” the voice said hesitantly. “So…”

Bastian sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before looking out the window once more. 

“I know you, Odette” 

The strong coffee he had consumed earlier had left him feeling jittery and on edge, but now he felt the sharp edges of his nerves gradually dulling. It was a bittersweet sensation, not entirely unpleasant but also tinged with a sense of languid fatigue.