CH 95

Bastian bid farewell to Ardenne at dawn, concluding the naval festival after a week. Gloomy expressions adorned the faces of the servants lining the front hall, a reflection of the rain that began last night and weighed heavily on the atmosphere.

Bastian calmly boarded the waiting car, he did not look like a soldier bound for a rough post. Lovis, the butler, watched with some concern as Bastian’s car swiftly vanished down the driveway. He held his gaze not daring to turn away as the hostess had yet to depart also.

How had they ended up in this situation? Lovis looked to Odette, hoping that she might betray some reason.

When Bastian returned from Lausanne, he promptly issued the order to prepare for departure, he never commented on the changes. The wager that had consumed the mansion ended with no winner, leaving everyone shocked and disappointed.

There certainly didn’t seem like there was no issue between the two of them. Something the whole staff believed in, at least, but those who witnessed the couple. The same sort of sentiment prevailed among the public. Media outlets in the empire covered the naval festival, and even highlighted the daily kisses between heroes and beauties. It bewildered everyone why the atmosphere between the couple had abruptly shifted.

Bastian’s stay in Ardenne lasted less than two days, and even then, the majority of his time was dedicated to handling urgent tasks for the company in Ratz, which had to be resolved before going to Trosa Island. If one looked closely, they would be able to see signs of distance between the couple, such as no longer sharing the same bed. Even on the night before his departure, Bastian chose to sleep in his own room. Their interactions appeared more courteous than those of a couple about to part ways.

In the end, many were left to speculate that Odette did not want to leaver her lavish life behind for one of a military wife. As criticism of her grew louder, so too did the sympathy for Bastian, who was going off to war with a broken heart. This seemed the most plausible explanation to Lovis.

“It is getting cold, madam, we should go in.” Lovis said. Odette, who was still looking down the road after Bastian, turned around.

“Ah, yes,” a faint smile spread across her face. “Let’s get back to work, shall we.” Odette swiftly made her way back into the mansion, with the servants in tow. The sound of rain pelting the windows filled the otherwise quiet hall.

“Are you feeling well, mam?” One of the servants said, Dora, who couldn’t help but notice how sickly Odette looked. “Would you like me to call a doctor?”

Odette calmly shook her head. “Its fine, Dora, I’m just tired. Some rest will be enough.”

Odette slowly dragged herself up the stairs. She was plagued by headaches and constant chills, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. It was all done now anyway and it wasn’t until she stopped in front of her bedroom door that the reality of the situation dawned on her.

Bastian was gone and by the time he returned the contract will be finished. She was technically free. She would have thought the realisation would have made her feel light, but she felt the opposite. She dragged her leaden body into the room, feeling like water logged wool. The sound of a heavy lock marked the start of her new life.

The earnest dream that had once justified this marriage had crumbled to dust. Now all she could do was wait and in waiting, felt the anxiety of it pressing down on her. When Bastian returned, he would no doubt bring her punishment for her crimes to bare, but in the meantime, she had to wait for it and she couldn’t just forget about it either, it plagued her mind constantly.

But at least Tira was safe, that one mote of good news lifted Odette considerably and she clung to it like a life raft in stormy seas. With every step she took, she thought that’s a relief, that’s a relief. As if chanting it brought it power to heal her.

And yet, the weight of inescapable doom still cast shadows, causing her to collapse. Her legs buckled and her vision blurred. When she regained consciousness, Odette found herself sprawled out on the floor. The tension that had been building over the week finally dissipated.

The bedroom was quiet, save for the mournful howls of the wind. Blankly, Odette over to the window, she did not try to lift her heavy body. Memories from her initial meeting with Bastian played out in the rain drops on the window. She could see the dingy gambling den, their departure marked by a dry kiss, the imperfection of their relationship every step of the way, but it hadn’t been entirely terrible, but it was all ashes now.

Odette noticed Margrethe, her loyal dog, who became more animated when their eyes met. She wagged her tail diligently and bounded over to Odette to lick her face. Her mournful whimpers resembling that of a crying child.

“Its okay, Meg,” Odette murmured, gently cradling the puppy. Margrethe relaxed into Odette’s arms as she stroked the pup. It was a moment of solace for them both. Odette felt like she could face the future with a more humble heart now. This was the outcome of her choice and it was her responsibility. If she just rolled over, everything she had strived for would be in vain.

Determination filled her, this was not an acceptable ends for her efforts. She wiped away her tears, straightened her bows, restoring herself to neatness. Margrethe became animated too, wagging her tail and lolling her tongue excitedly.

Odette rose to her feet, Margrethe bounding around her ankles. She reminded Odette of Tira in a way.

The force of the storm outside grew, shaking the trees. It promised treacherous sailing ahead.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian pulled up his collar, bracing himself against the storm. He made his way along the red road, covered in soggy leaves. He arrived at the docks where the transport ship waited for him. Upon seeing Bastian’s approach, the junior officers and sailors halted and saluted.

Bastian returned their salute and strode confidently across the docks. The carrier was crammed with additional troops from the North Sea Fleet, accompanied by family members who were mostly young wives carrying young children.

A soldier shadowed Bastian and showed him to his cabin. “This one will be yours, sir.” He said confidently.

Bastian acknowledged the soldier with a nod, before heading in the opposite direction, heading toward the main deck. The soldier did not follow, his duty fulfilled.

Just fifteen minutes later, the departure alarm sounded, prompting the waiting sailors into action.

Bastian casually passed them by, making for the edge of the deck. Though the gloomy, dark skies were blanketed by grey clouds, he could just about see a faint light shimmering in the distance. It was the Ferris wheel, the very thing Odette used to stare out at, lost in thought.

Bastian looked out to it now, lost in his own thoughts, his face devoid of expression. The anger and fury seemed to have fled from him in that moment. In the end, he felt like the outburst was pointless. Nothing had changed. The past week had been a constant struggle to prove his point.

Upon returning from Lausanne, he wasted no time in attending to the affairs of the company. He sought understanding from Thomas Mueller, the one responsible for the practical matters of the company. Together they decided to abandon all current plans and although it was significant loss, it was the best solution for now.

The plan now was to retreat and regroup. Fortunately, the railway business, which was joined with Laviere, was showing signs of success, averting one major crisis. If the marriage alliance with Sandrine came to fruition, it would provide a more stable platform for the foundation.

And with that, everything came full circle, they were back to square one. Odette was no longer up for consideration and would be discarded as such. Bastian needed more time to plan his revenge.

“Five minutes to departure.”

All along the deck, ropes were being tossed back to the ship and the engines spooled up, causing a deep, ambient rumble. They embarked in the pouring rain, following along the Prater River to western Berg and finally, via the North Sea, back to the Trosa Islands.

As Bastian looked back at the city, he caught a flash of Odette’s face in the storm. She was smiling and bade him farewell, she appeared as beautiful as ever and as a devoted wife. Bastian did not deny the sudden vision, but it slipped away after a short while, leaving behind a flash of memory he clung to.

The transport ship picked up pace and sped under the open drawbridge. Bastian roused himself and strode back along the deck, braving the wind and rain. 

This marked the start of a voyage that would return them to their original orbit.