CH 101

The waves of gentle morning sun came in through the window and lit up the bed. The brightness of it forced Odette from her sleep and she opened her eyes. It took her a moment to remember where she was. It had already been three days, no four days, since her fathers funeral and more tragically, the return of Bastian.

She raised herself from the bed with a tired sigh. She sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of having to face the day was already heavy on her shoulders and she procrastinated by counting the lace patterns of the curtains.

My father is dead, Tira is pregnant and Bastian is back.

There came a knock at the door, disturbing Odette from her thoughts. “Come in,” she said, distantly.

“Ah, so glad to see you’ve picked up your spirits, ma’am,” Dora said, bounding into the room with energy for the both of them. “I was going to have you taken to the Dr. Kramer’s hospital if you did not rise from the bed today, its been four days and I was certain that I should start worrying.”

Dora busied herself around the bedroom, cleaning up yesterday’s clothes, opening the curtains and windows and giving Odette the day’s report. Beyond, the serene and picturesque sight of the Ardenne’s sky and sea unfolded before her. Odette listened as intently as she could, the cool breeze coming in off the sea carried hints of summer and autumn merging.

The doctor’s instructions, names of visiting relatives, and rescheduling notes for social events buzzed in his ears, encapsulating the events of the past four days. Odette was fortunate and eager to know that her day was going to be one of mundane and ordinary activities, the days of tragedy, once tumultuous like a storm, were behind her for a moment at the least.

“Oh, that reminds me, I have some good news, ma’am.” The maids face lit up. “Master says he will be returning to Ardenne today. He had sent a telegram especially, to make sure dinner is ready for the both of you. He will arrive before sunset at the very latest.”

“Oh…yes, okay,” Odette said, not even making an effort to sound excited. 

A flood of memories that had been dormant rushed back to her. Bastian had stood by Odette throughout the funeral. He was the perfectly behaved husband, who bereaved the loss of a father-in-law and comforted his wife, drawing the admiration of all those who had attended the funeral. Perhaps Bastian wanted to play this game perfectly right to the end.

The right to decide when the end of the marriage rested solely in his hands, and Odette fully comprehends her role: to obey and fulfil her duties. With the contract nearing its end, the day would soon come when she would face the consequences of her betrayal.

“Are you okay?” Dora said, seeing Odette’s melancholic look.

Odette simply smiled weakly.

Once the funeral was concluded, Bastian went straight to the capital. He said that he would stay at Ratz until the business was concluded, as he had a lot of work that had accumulated. It could have been seen as him leaving his wife, who he had been reunited with for the first time in two years, but given recent events, it could be excused.

Odette remained determined to her duties until the very last, however. She took the medicine the Dora presented and ate up the bowl of watery soup.

A few days of rest were enough to restore her strength, and she was determined not to dwell on the tragedy any longer. If it was unavoidable, she would confront it head-on. She had to think about Tira’s Marriage and needed to find a solution before the impending disaster.

“You will be taking care of dinner, then?”

“Yes ma’am, I will prepare it with special care.”

Dora took the emptied breakfast tray and bowed out of the bedroom. Odette didn’t have long to enjoy the solace when another maid came into the room, dragged along by a white dog.

“Meg,” Odette called out in excitement, embracing Margrethe.

Her smile became as bright as the sunshine on the clearest morning. Margrethe jumped with excitement, as she always did and licked at Odette’s face, like she hadn’t seen her for years, when it had only been since last night. 

Odette completely forgot about her fever, as she played with the dog. Once done with the mandatory half an hour of bounding around the room excitedly, rolling over for tummy rubs, then licking Odette’s face some more. Odette was finally allowed up and walked out onto the balcony to enjoy some fresh, September air.

The lush greenery forest and the deep-shaded sea created a beautiful contrast, while the glistening silver sand along the coastline resembled shimmering raindrops. The stunningly picturesque season was a reminder that there was still beauty in the world to be appreciated, even during times of despair.

“It’s alright,” Odette said, as she kissed Margrethe’s nose.

Even if Tira was to get sent away, at least she would still have Margrethe. 

She would not be alone, so it was going to be okay. 

At least, it should have been okay.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The sun was setting, ending the evening’s light as a last whimper of pale orange and red light between the sky and the sea. Bastian moved along the coastal road, stepping on the accelerator and causing the rush of force to push him back into his seat. The city hadn’t changed all that much in his time away, Ardenne Bay still had those two mansions facing off against one another from across the road.

Bastian puffed on the cigarette between his lips, a satisfied smile spreading across them as he did so. 

Everything was going smoothly.

Return reports, interviews with the chiefs of staff, defence planning and meetings with company board members showed that everything would go his way. The only remaining task in hand was to divorce the emperor’s niece. He wanted to see the emperor by the end of the month to organise that little problem.

Bastian puffed on his cigarette again, as he thought about how to dispose of his soon-to-be ex-wife.

There was no more hatred left in him to simply have her thrown in prison, but of course, that would be the easiest solution. Her life already seemed to be tumbling into the abyss and so he didn’t have the heart to do that to her.

Bastian flicked the cigarette end out of his window as he took a corner at speed. Passing under the curved trees, the mansion appeared before him, the perfectly duplicated jewels of Ardenne. It was a landscape that seemed to have moved the beautiful territory that his father loved so much.

Gazing at the flawlessly replicated gem, Bastian felt dejected and unsatisfied. His father’s kingdom built through his mother’s blood and sweat and tears, had become a barren reminiscence of the past. But No satisfaction coursed through him as his purpose reached far beyond that – to clear up the ridiculous mess that lay before him.

The emperor and Sandrine de Laviere.

While thinking of the plots and plans, the mansion came closer. As he came to the front entrance, servants and attendants poured out to greet him and welcome him home. Then he saw Odette, who was standing just outside the entrance, playing the part of the perfect wife. He laughed.

Odette was dressed in dark green velvet. It was an unusual choice, considering that she was still in her mourning period. The luxurious jewels were also out of place for someone that had just lost their father.

Bastian hopped out of the car, leaving one of the attendants to park and climbed the stairs of the porch to where Odette was waiting for him. As he got closer, he could see that her complexion was sickly pale.

“Welcome,” Odette said, “I’m glad you’re back.” She spoke with a clear voice that sounded like music in the calm air.

With a smirk on his face, Bastian lowered his head to look at the woman with eyes brimming with mockery.  Undeterred by his clear contempt, Odette calmly looked back at him. The moment was fleeting as he closed in on her and planted a kiss on her cheek, which caught Odette off guard.

“Me too, I am glad to be back at your side.” His voice held a gentleness that contrasted his cold eyes.

Odette tried to hide in her anxiety, attempting to put on a calm face, yet ending up with a forced smile, all to present herself as Klauswitz’s perfect wife, just as Bastian had requested. She dared not speak about forgiveness and tried her best to avoid Bastian’s wrath for as long as she could, knowing that she had to protect Tira as much as possible.

The hopes and dreams she had when she signed the contract were now as shattered as a broken mirror, a cold reality Odette was all too familiar with.

She had given up her old life for this new one and all she had to show for it was this miserable path of destruction and ruin. The only thing left to her was Tira, and she was determined not to let her down. Odette did not want to leave this marriage in futility and despair, she yearned to get something out of it.

Tira had to find happiness. Some might call it a foolish attachment, but it was the only reason Odette was left to endure this hellish situation, but she had to do something.

If her wish was to come true, Odette would humbly accept whatever cost. It wouldn’t be the end of their lives yet and after paying the price for her actions, she and Tira could run away and live out their lives happily together. Going back to a life of sewing and rented accommodation wasn’t so bad, all that matter was Tira and living without regret.

Odette pushed her anguish aside for the time being and readied herself for when she needed to do. Bastian wrapped up his conversation with the servants and looked at her. Quickly composing herself, Odette clasped her cold hands together and straightened. She even managed a polite smile.

Still regarding her emotionless eyes, Bastian motioned for her to join him, to escort him into the mansion. The icy chill in his eyes made Odette feel as though she was sinking into the depth of the frigid North Sea.

Accepting his request, Odette took his hand and with the prelude over, it was time to begin the final chapter.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*